EU eyes methane law delay as IEA may discuss oil stock releases
USO•The EU is considering delaying methane rules for oil and gas imports that are due to take effect on January 1, 2027. IEA members may discuss further strategic oil reserve releases, after agreeing in March to release 400 million barrels; 20% of their total stocks have been released so far.
1. EU considers import delay
The EU is considering delaying the part of its methane emissions rules that applies to oil and gas imports. Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said a delay could be one year and would not loosen the rules’ ambition; he said it should depend on member states using the extra time to prepare for implementation.
2. IEA tracks fuel markets
IEA head Fatih Birol said member states may discuss further strategic oil reserve releases if needed, but that additional releases are not currently the agency’s top priority. He said the IEA is closely tracking diesel and other product markets.
3. March release underway
The IEA’s 32 members agreed in March to a coordinated release of 400 million barrels, the largest in its history. Birol said countries have released 20% of their total stocks so far, leaving 80%.
