EU Examines Delay to Methane Rules for Fuel Imports

The European Commission is examining whether to postpone methane requirements for imported oil and gas that are scheduled to begin in January 2027, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said, as governments cite concerns about energy supplies. The Commission has not formally changed the timetable, and any amendment would require approval at the European Union level. The rules require foreign producers supplying the EU to monitor and report methane emissions. Jørgensen said officials were looking at postponing the import provisions, not weakening them. A one-year delay has been discussed, but the Commission has not confirmed the scope or duration of any proposed change. The debate has intensified amid concerns about fuel availability and prices. French President Emmanuel Macron and more than a dozen EU countries have called for a delay or greater flexibility, citing energy-security risks. The United States, a major supplier of liquefied natural gas to Europe, has also raised concerns about the rules. Those supporting a postponement argue that compliance requirements and potential penalties could lead suppliers to redirect cargoes or create legal risks for importers.