EU Considers One-Year Methane Rule Delay as IEA Weighs Oil Release
The proposed delay would affect methane monitoring and reporting requirements for foreign oil and gas suppliers scheduled to begin early next year.
The European Union is considering a one-year delay to methane requirements for imported oil and gas as governments seek to secure winter fuel supplies and the International Energy Agency considers another release from strategic oil reserves.
The proposed postponement would affect monitoring and reporting rules for foreign producers supplying the EU. The requirements are scheduled to begin early next year.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said officials are examining whether to delay the import provisions by one year. The review comes as European energy markets face pressure from disruptions affecting crude and refined-product supplies.
The IEA is also considering another release from strategic oil reserves. IEA head Fatih Birol said the agency is monitoring diesel and other refined-product markets and would consult member governments if action becomes necessary.
Around 11% of global refining capacity was offline during August, typically the lightest month of the year for maintenance. European refining margins reached an all-time high of $50 per barrel, while capacity requiring repairs for more than two months was estimated at about 2.3 million barrels per day.
In 2024, net imports covered 57% of EU energy demand, underscoring the bloc’s exposure to supply disruptions described in earlier EU energy-import coverage. Imports supplied 96.6% of the bloc’s oil and petroleum products and 85% of its natural gas.
EU officials are weighing the methane-rule delay as winter approaches, while the IEA’s next steps will depend on refined-product market conditions and consultations with member governments.
