EU Pushes to Delay Methane Import Rules Amid Gas Supply Concerns

The EU Methane Regulation (EUMR) requires importers of oil, gas and coal to prove that contracts signed after 4 August 2024 meet EU-equivalent methane standards. Enforcement starts in 2027 (Article 28). Non-compliant firms may face fines up to 20 % of turnover, though Article 33 bars sanctions that would jeopardise supply. Twelve states, led by the Czech Republic, have asked the Commission to suspend the rule for three years to clarify verification and reporting.

EU ObserverPressure mounts on EU to delay stricter methane rulesQatar and global energy giants urge EU to urgently revise methane rules amid supply concernsEU Observer

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said he will not reopen the legislation but will consider implementation concerns. Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek warned the rules could undermine “the competitiveness of the European industry and the affordability of energy for all households.” U.S. Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warned that the regulation could jeopardise the EU’s energy security and price stability. Qatar’s Sherida Al-Kaabi urged swift amendments to avoid “untenable risks” to long-term contracts. The Clean Air Task Force backs a temporary pause, recommends a one-year limit and calls a three-year delay “disproportionate.”

Qatar and global energy giants urge EU to urgently revise methane rules amid supply concerns

Methane is 84 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years; a 2024 Cornell study says LNG’s full life-cycle emissions can be 33 % higher than coal. Only 4 % of EU gas consumption is covered by contracts signed after 4 August 2024. Wood Mackenzie’s worst-case model predicts a 43 % gas-supply loss, an 87 % oil-supply loss and a 24 % price rise under strict penalties. Rystad Energy projects 900 bcm of compliant LNG – about three times EU demand – while Datadesk estimates 309 bcm would meet imports. EU gas storage was 28 % at the start of April 2024.

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Member states and industry groups say unfinished elements – the list of third-country equivalents and verifier accreditation – create “significant legal uncertainty” that could deter contracts. InfluenceMap recorded a surge in U.S. oil-and-gas lobbying to weaken the rule. Critics cite Wood Mackenzie’s scenarios to warn of supply cliffs, while Rystad and Datadesk argue that ample LNG capacity and existing contracts mitigate the risk. Article 33 already limits sanctions that would endanger supply and weighs breach severity.

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• “The EU methane regulation poses a direct threat to the EU’s energy security and price stability,” — Andrew Puzder, U.S. Ambassador to the EU

Pressure mounts on EU to delay stricter methane rules

• “very firm in not wanting to reopen the legislation.” — Dan Jørgensen, EU Energy Commissioner

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• “Our analysis suggests that the risk to the EU’s security of supply is being significantly overstated,” — Louis Goddard, Datadesk

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• “many importers cannot knowingly sign contracts where compliance with EU law is uncertain.” — EU member states (letter)

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The Commission is expected to issue further recommendations “quite soon,” while member states continue to press for a postponement. The Clean Air Task Force backs a temporary pause, recommends a one-year grace period, and the EU must finalize equivalence criteria and verifier accreditation before the 2027 enforcement deadline.

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