Global methane intensity from upstream oil and gas has declined by about 10% since 2019, industry analysts said this week as they debated how best to turn voluntary progress into robust regulation without jeopardising supply security.
Workshop seeks balance between emissions cuts and reliable gas delivery
Mark McCrory, Director for Policy & Analysis at the International Gas Union (IGU), made a special intervention at the 6th Methane Emissions Reduction Workshop convened by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The event assembled analysts, industry representatives and policymakers to examine the market and commercial implications of the European Union’s methane reduction agenda (EU MER) and other emerging measures.
McCrory pointed to ongoing action in the sector, saying improvements have been driven by corporate sustainability efforts and wider adoption of asset integrity programmes. He highlighted the importance of credible monitoring regimes, noting that many industry players are aligning measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks with internationally accepted standards such as OGMP 2.0.
“One-size-fits-all regulation is unlikely to be successful given the diverse circumstances facing different regions and infrastructure locations,” McCrory said, according to IGU materials.
He argued that regulatory design should reflect how gas is actually produced, transported and traded. McCrory warned that regulators should allow time to develop and make compliance methodologies available before imposing enforceable obligations or penalties, to give suppliers and buyers clear rules and transition arrangements.
Practical pathways and policy trade-offs
Delegates discussed practical pathways for reducing methane emissions while safeguarding reliable, affordable and secure natural gas supplies. The workshop explored both analytical work on market impacts of regulation and the implementation challenges regulators will face across different jurisdictions.
- Standards alignment: Participants emphasised MRV systems that follow recognised frameworks like OGMP 2.0 to ensure transparent, comparable data.
- Regulatory design: Calls for tailored measures that consider regional infrastructure differences and commercial realities.
- Transition timelines: Support for phased implementation so that compliance methodologies and enforcement follow clear, achievable guidance.
The IGU intervention underscored that methane-abatement regulations are gaining industry support when they provide transparent and credible data systems. That alignment, McCrory said, can help turn corporate programmes into consistent, enforceable practice across markets.
Implications for South Africa
Although the workshop focused on international frameworks, the issues raised are relevant to South Africa as it considers the role of gas in its energy mix and the design of emissions reporting for fossil-fuel sectors. The emphasis on MRV standards and a measured regulatory timetable speaks to policymakers balancing climate commitments with energy security and investment certainty.
South African authorities and industry actors weighing methane rules can draw on the workshop’s conclusions: regulations that are aligned with international measurement frameworks and sensitive to local production and infrastructure conditions will be more practicable and likely to secure industry compliance.
| Issue | Workshop conclusion |
|---|---|
| Measurement | Adopt MRV aligned with OGMP 2.0 for credible data |
| Regulatory approach | Design regionally appropriate rules rather than one-size-fits-all |
| Implementation | Allow time for compliance methodologies before enforcement |
As regulators and market participants debate next steps, the workshop framed methane reduction as both a technical challenge and a regulatory design exercise. For nations planning gas development or increased imports, the message was clear: credible measurement and practical, phased regulation are essential to reduce emissions without undermining supply reliability.
