EU Methane Regulation Sparks Exporter and Member-State Pushback

On 24 June 2024 the energy ministers of the United States, Qatar, Nigeria and Algeria sent a letter to EU leaders urging a pause and amendments to the EU Methane Regulation (EUMR). They argue the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) rules, due in January 2027, lack a viable compliance path for existing contracts and could jeopardise European fuel supplies.

Debate grows over EU methane rules ahead of 2027 deadline

Adopted in May 2024, the EUMR is the EU’s system for measuring and verifying methane emissions from the energy sector. Methane’s global-warming potential exceeds CO2 by over 80 times and accounts for about 30 % of temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution. The rule penalises non-compliant imports.

EuronewsEU Methane Rules Draw Pressure from U.S. and Qatar

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen says the bloc will not dilute the law. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright calls the rules “crazy” and warns of winter blackouts. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi calls the regulation an “existential threat”. MiQ says existing certification can meet MRV, while API chief Mike Sommers calls the policy operationally deficient.

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The United States supplied 45 % of EU LNG in 2023; Qatar supplied 12 % (Streamlinefeed). Wood Mackenzie estimates nearly 50 % of EU gas imports could miss compliance, while Rystad for EDF finds compliant gas three times current imports. MiQ reports 7 % of global gas is certified, including about 30 % of U.S. production.

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The European Commission has not commented on the letter. Jorgensen reiterated pride in the rule and declined to reopen it. The Commission drafted a plan to waive penalties for breaches but stopped short of rewriting the text. The 11-state coalition submitted a document urging a “targeted, time-limited postponement” to protect energy security.

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Environmental NGOs warn that delaying the rule would undermine climate goals. Bollendorff stresses the regulation already offers phased pathways and that compliant supply exceeds EU demand. U.S. lawmakers have urged the EU to uphold the rules, warning against exemptions for U.S. operators.

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Wood Mackenzie predicts widespread non-compliance, while Rystad’s EDF-backed study suggests ample compliant supply. MiQ’s data shows existing certification can satisfy MRV but covers only a minority of global gas, leaving a gap in full-scale compliance evidence.

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• “You're going to have meaningful risk of blackouts or heating struggles this coming winter. There's just no reason for that,” — Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary

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• “I will not reopen it. I'm very proud of our methane regulation,” — Dan Jorgensen, EU Energy Commissioner

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• “In reality, the regulation does not ban gas imports.” — Esther Bollendorff, Climate Action Network Europe

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• “Methane pollution must be next,” Guterres said from London.” — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

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EU energy ministers will discuss the exporters’ request on 26 June in Luxembourg. Leaked drafts propose a three-year waiver on penalties for contracts signed before 2028, a compromise that could balance supply security with climate ambition.

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