According to a report by the British 'Financial Times' on June 23 local time, the United States and Qatar have warned the European Union that they will face shortages in natural gas supplies and rising prices unless the Brussels side reforms the proposed regulations regarding methane emissions.
Both the United States and Canada have indicated that most oil and gas exporting countries globally cannot meet the requirements of the draft regulations. The regulations aim to establish standards for the monitoring and reporting of methane—a powerful greenhouse gas—across the entire supply chain.
Before the EU energy ministers' meeting last Friday, the United States and Qatar, two of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) globally, have sent letters of protest to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, president of the European Council.
At least two other countries that supply natural gas to Europe—Algeria and Nigeria—also signed this letter drafted by the United States and Qatar. It is reported that the letter is expected to be sent to European leaders on June 23 local time.
May 2, 2026. LNG Enterprise, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, unloaded liquified natural gas from the U.S. Freedom Port liquefied natural gas terminal near Greece's ancient city of Athens. IC Photo
According to the draft letter seen by the Financial Times, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Qatar's Minister of Energy Affairs Saad al-Kaabi wrote that the EU has a ‘limited window of time’ to amend its rules. This is because importers have already started purchasing natural gas for delivery in 2027, and there ‘currently are no practical ways to comply with the regulations’.
The two people wrote in their letter: "Since compliance with laws remains crucial, neither exporters nor importers wish to enter into contracts that are clearly contrary to EU laws. Significant impacts on supply and prices will be inevitable."
According to reports, this intervention has escalated the actions led by the United States aimed at weakening this EU legislation. Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the EU, previously warned in an interview with the Financial Times that the regulations could lead to an energy crisis.
In fact, as early as October 22nd last year, the United States and Canada jointly sent a letter warning the European Union. They argued that the EU's Corporate Sustainable Development Due Diligence Directive poses a "lifesaving threat" to the growth, competitiveness, and resilience of the European economy. If this directive is not revoked, trade, investment, and energy supplies will be affected.
The letter states that this EU regulation could also undermine the latest trade agreement reached between the EU and the United States in July 2025. That agreement requires EU member countries to purchase US energy products worth $750 billion by the end of 2028.
The Financial Times at that time argued that this intervention by the United States and Qatar could lead to a 'major rift' between the two major fossil fuel-producing nations and the European Union, which has been trying to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
On the other hand, the European Commission has sent a signal indicating that it will weaken these regulations by issuing guidelines to member states, requiring member states not to penalize exporters before 2030.
Some EU member states hope that Brussels will take further actions. According to another draft letter seen by the Financial Times, Czech and Slovakia have called for delaying the implementation of these regulations for “at least three years”.
However, the warnings about supply shortages in the industry are currently being challenged. A model analysis conducted by consulting firm Rystad Energy, commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund Europe, found that the natural gas supply that meets the requirements of the proposed regulations is three times the current EU imports.
Ricorde Energy stated that no evidence has been found indicating that the upcoming regulations are driving up natural gas prices, and pointed out that the current price increases are due to the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran.
This legislative supporter, including the European Environmental Protection Foundation, believes that this regulation will encourage Europe to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, thereby helping to enhance Europe's energy security.
Meanwhile, a report released by the World Bank on June 23 local time shows that carbon emissions from oil and gas producers increased by 6% last year, reaching 167 billion cubic meters – the highest level since 2019. In this context, major fossil fuel exporting countries have intensified their lobbying efforts.
Natural gas combustion not only exacerbates climate change but also wastes natural gas resources that could otherwise be used as fuel. It is estimated that by 2025, the value of natural gas burned by industries will be approximately $54 billion, which is more than the total amount of liquefied natural gas exported through the Strait of Hormuz last year.
World Bank project lead Zubin Bamji stated that the main cause of pollution is not a technical issue, because most technological solutions already exist. The real issue is the lack of mandatory regulatory measures.
