EU Commission Proposes One-Year Delay to Methane Rules for Oil and Gas Imports

The European Commission has proposed a one-year delay to its methane emissions rules for imported oil and gas, pushing back the compliance deadline by twelve months. The rules, which require fossil fuel imports into the EU to meet monitoring, reporting and verification requirements aimed at reducing methane emissions, had been set to take effect in 2027.

The delay reflects sustained pressure on Brussels from the United States, the oil and gas industry, and a majority of EU member states to ease the requirements. Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen had previously signaled openness to pushing the rules back to 2028, citing energy security concerns linked to disruptions from the Iran conflict. The Commission had earlier resisted calls for a full revision, opting instead for non-binding guidance, but the formal one-year delay marks a more concrete concession to importers seeking additional preparation time.