EU Methane Regulation 2024/1787: what it covers and what it means for biogas

Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector was adopted in 2024 and enters into force in August 2024 (4 August). It places on operators of the extraction and transport of oil, natural gas and coal obligations of measurement, reporting and verification of emissions (MRV), regular leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes, and limits on venting and flaring. It also covers importers, who in the coming years will have to demonstrate that supplies from outside the EU meet equivalent requirements. For biogas plants the regulation is not directly the key act, but it sets the trend of expectations regarding methane reduction.

Scope

The regulation applies to the energy sector: the extraction, gathering, processing, transmission, distribution and storage of gas, oil and coal, including hard coal mines. Operators' obligations include:

1. An inventory of sources and measurements of emissions at source level and site level (in subsequent stages).
2. LDAR: regular leak-tightness surveys using specified methods and repair within set deadlines.
3. Limits on venting and flaring: a ban on routine venting and flaring, with exceptions for emergency and safety situations.
4. Reporting to national authorities and the Commission.
5. Requirements for mines concerning measurements and the reduction of emissions from degasification.

Implementation deadlines are spread over time, and the details (measurement methods, thresholds) are supplemented by implementing and delegated acts.

Imports

The regulation creates a mechanism under which importers of oil, gas and coal will be required to demonstrate that methane emissions in the supply chain meet requirements equivalent to those of the EU. Importers' obligations are being introduced in stages: in the first years reporting dominates, and the requirement to demonstrate equivalence of measurement and reporting starts from 2027. For the gas market this means greater transparency and a potential cost for supplies from countries with higher emission intensity.

Biogas and biomethane

Biogas plants are not the main addressees of the regulation's obligations, which focuses on fossil fuels. However:

• operators of the networks into which biomethane is injected are subject to the provisions on LDAR and reporting, which affects the requirements for measurements and the leak-tightness of connection points;
• in the EU methane strategy and in discussions on the Industrial Emissions Directive and biomethane certification, the topic of limiting leaks from biogas plants appears;
• many countries and organisations are developing good practices (codes, measurement campaigns);
• certification requirements (RED) already take into account methane emissions from digestate and upgrading in the balance.

It is therefore sensible to implement LDAR and measurements voluntarily before this becomes a widespread requirement.

Example: impact on a network operator's costs

A distribution system operator with 500 pressure-reduction and metering stations implements an LDAR programme: an annual inspection with an OGI camera costs, for example, PLN 400 per station (assumption), i.e. PLN 200 thousand per year. With 10 t CH₄ of avoided leaks (about 280 t CO₂e at GWP₁₀₀ = 28), the unit cost is about PLN 700/t CO₂e. The figures are solely an illustration of the method of calculation.

Who it matters to

• gas network operators (measurement and repair requirements),
• biomethane producers (quality of leak-tightness data, customer expectations),
• gas and LNG importers (requirements for suppliers),
• providers of measurement technologies.

Outlook

The regulation shows that methane has become the subject of detailed regulation. In the coming years, guidance on measurement methods and possible extensions to other sectors should be expected. Biomethane producers who already document their losses today will be better prepared.

How to prepare

Biomethane producers can already inventory potential leak points, implement leak-tightness checks at the injection station and in process rooms, and record the results in a register. It is also worth agreeing with the network operator procedures for exchanging information on failures and planned works, because many of the operator's actions affect continuity of injection. From a commercial perspective, documented low methane losses can be an argument in discussions with customers who report supply chain emissions.

Differences from RED

RED regulates the sustainability and emission reduction of biofuels, while the methane regulation covers the control of emissions in the fossil fuel sector. Both acts operate in parallel and reinforce the pressure to reduce methane losses, but they have different addressees and different enforcement mechanisms.

Summary

The methane regulation does not directly cover biogas plants, but it shifts standards in the gas sector. It is worth monitoring its implementation, because it affects customer expectations and the network into which biomethane is injected.