Element NL is closely following the development of the EU's strategy to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector (EU Methane Regulation). The industry endorses the importance of curbing these emissions and actively contributes to this process. We prepared a letter responding to the current draft to express our concerns and reservations about certain aspects. We also offered suggestions to help achieve a workable solution.
The industry fully supports the principles and objectives of the Regulation, which are needed to reduce methane emissions. These are not merely empty words, however. We have already more than halved offshore methane emissions in the period from 2018 to 2020 through our implementation of the Methane Covenant. Unfortunately, we believe that some aspects of the draft Regulation are unviable and that the obligations it seeks to impose on operators are excessive. We assess that this will lead, in practice, to regulations that are impossible to implement.
Together with the National Oil and Gas Industry Associations (NOIAs) in Denmark (Dansk Offshore), Germany (BVEG), Norway (Offshore Norge), and the United Kingdom (OEUK), we have prepared a letter in which we address the quantification of methane emissions, the frequency of LDAR surveys, the scope of the Regulation and the procedures for abandoned wells.
The letter was sent to members of the European Parliament (MEPs), politicians, and other relevant decision-makers.