The Global Oil and Gas Methane Regulations You Need to Know in 2026

Methane regulation is increasingly driven by global energy markets. The European Union Methane Regulation (EUMR) and LNG-focused initiatives in Asia are reshaping expectations for methane measurement, reporting, verification (MRV) and emissions intensity transparency across global supply chains.

This article outlines international methane regulations affecting oil and LNG exporters in 2026. For domestic regulatory drivers, see our U.S. Federal, U.S. State and Canada methane regulations to watch.

Given the dynamic nature of methane regulations, we will continue to update this content periodically to reflect rule changes and our insights. Please refer to the date above for the latest revision.

Key takeaways: 

• Because the oil and gas marketplace is international, importing countries have begun applying regulations to imported products to support their climate initiatives 

• Commercial agreements are likely to be impacted by global import standards 

• Global oil and gas supply chains are complex; data management and information sharing will be the key to doing business internationally 

EU methane regulation requires import emissions reports beginning in 2027

Published in 2024, the EUMR is a methane measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)-based suite of requirements that applies to natural gas, oil and coal placed on the European market. Most notably for non-EU operators in the liquified natural gas (LNG) supply chain, it establishes requirements for imported energies. This means that companies located outside of the European Union (EU) are being requested to provide data required to be reported by EU-based energy importers.   

The EUMR requirements for imported energy are phased. The first annual MRV reports for CY2026 emissions are due in 2027 and require a measurement-based emissions inventory, source- and site-level emissions reconciliation and independent verification. Beginning in August 2028, imported energy must also include a reported emissions intensity, and in 2030, an emissions intensity limit will apply. As summarized in the graphic below, information related to the emissions intensity calculation methodology and limit is forthcoming. The EU Commission released a standardization request for the development of CEN and ISO standards consistent with EUMR guidelines. Those documents are also forthcoming. 

Implications for operators: 

• The EUMR is another example of environmental data becoming business and financial data, as compliance with this rule will impact energy producers’ ability to conduct business in the EU

• There are three paths of equivalency to comply with the EUMR, (1) national-level equivalency through federal requirements, (2) producer-level equivalency to be approved on a case-by-case basis and (3) OGMP 2.0 gold standard + independent verification. There are currently no federal programs approved for national-level equivalency 

• Compliance with this new rule is expected to be especially complex for the liquified natural gas (LNG) value chain, particularly in pooled markets like the U.S., where multiple natural gas streams from multiple producers are combined prior to reaching a liquefaction facility 

• Although the rule is final, the EU Commission will release additional guidance on equivalency demonstrations, emissions intensity determinations, emissions intensity limits and more 

• The ISO and CEN draft standards will be released in 2026 

Japan and South Korea LNG methane initiative covers 80% of regional imports

Several Japanese and South Korean utilities and trading houses joined the Coalition for LNG Emission Abatement Toward Net Zero (CLEAN) Initiative designed to drive down methane emissions from the LNG supply chain. Like the EUMR, above, the CLEAN initiative framework applies first to the LNG buyer but is intended to influence the upstream value chain. Member companies receive a questionnaire that collects data on value chain methane emissions and methane emissions reduction initiatives to compile methane emissions reduction best practices. 

Implications for operators: 

• The CLEAN Initiative is another example of an effort to influence supply chain emissions through energy importers 

• Companies whose products ultimately end up in LNG should expect to receive requests for empirical data related to methane emissions and intensities associated with their products 

• The CLEAN Initiative is not codified in either Japan’s or South Korea’s environmental or import regulations 

International methane standards are becoming commercial requirements tied to market access, financing and procurement decisions. Measurement-based inventories, independent verification and defensible intensity calculations are increasingly necessary to compete in global energy markets. Want to discuss how to future-proof your methane management program? Get in touch today.  

For specific regulatory drivers within North America, consult our U.S. Federal, U.S. State and Canada overviews.