Norway warned EC in 2025 methane law risks hindering oil, gas output in Oil & Companies News 23/05/2026 The Norwegian government warned the European Commission in a memo sent in 2025 and seen by Platts that the EU’s methane emissions regulation could lower Norway’s oil and natural gas exports to the EU and, ironically, increase Norwegian producers’ total upstream greenhouse gas emissions. “We would like to convey some highly problematic aspects and consequences of the Regulation and possible impacts on petroleum activities, with potentially negative results for stability of energy supply and emissions,” the Norwegian government said in the memo, which was written following a public consultation on the law. The EU regulation seeks to lower methane emissions from the energy sector, both in Europe and across global supply chains. The law includes a methane emissions reporting requirement for gas, crude oil and coal imports, as well as a mandate for importers to meet emissions-intensity limits that have yet to be established. The Norwegian government said in the 2025 memo that while it favors the EU’s intention, it views the law as “inferior” to its own approach. Indeed, Europe’s largest oil and gas producer had the world’s lowest upstream methane emissions intensity in 2025, according to data from the International Energy Agency published in 2026, after the memo was shared with Brussels. Production concerns One of Norway’s concerns about the law centers on production impacts. Requirements to survey for and, if necessary, repair methane leaks risk spurring more and longer shutdowns of oil and gas facilities, the government said. “This will affect Norwegian production levels and the ability to maintain a stable supply of natural gas and oil to the EU,” it wrote. “Frequent inspections and shutdowns may also increase the probability of adverse safety events at facilities.” Norway was Europe’s largest gas supplier in 2025. It sent the continent roughly 111 billion cubic