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

We write to urge the EU to take swift, necessary actions to clarify and to adopt targeted amendments to the EUMR

Qatar has joined forces with major global energy producers in a coordinated appeal urging the European Union to urgently revise its Methane Regulation, warning that key uncertainties could disrupt long-term energy supply contracts.

In an open letter addressed to the President of the European Union, the President of the European Council, and EU Member State leaders, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Sherida Al-Kaabi, signed alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab have requested EU to look into Methane Regulation. 

The four major LNG suppliers to Europe reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties with the EU while stressing the importance of energy security and competitiveness.

“It is with these shared goals in mind,” the letter said, “that we write to urge the EU to take swift, necessary actions to clarify and to adopt targeted amendments to the EUMR.”

At the center of their concern is the EU Methane Regulation (EUMR), set to take effect in January 2027, with exporters warning that critical technical details remain undefined. The group said the lack of legal clarity is already complicating long-term planning, contracting, and investment decisions for suppliers such as QatarEnergy.

They also warned that the regulation could expose multi-year, multi-billion-euro energy contracts to significant financial and legal risk.

The signatories proposed interim measures, including: adoption of a stop-the-clock mechanism, to provide time to develop methodologies and compliance pathways that work for all, grandfathering of new contracts signed while these additional legislative adjustments are developed and implemented, and removal of penalties for non-compliance for the duration of the transitional period.

The letter concludes by stating that “we encourage the Commission and EU Member States to work with industry stakeholders on necessary clarifications and changes that enable effective implementation of the law while reducing untenable risks”, with the State of Qatar standing ready to engage with the European Commission and EU Member States, as a constructive partner in respect of the EUMR.