Algerian Radio
Algeria signed, on June 23, 2026, a joint open letter calling for the revision of the European Union (EU) methane regulation, addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, Mr. Antonio Costa, and the leaders of the EU member states, a statement from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons indicated on Thursday.
This move comes as a consolidation of Algeria's strategic position as a major supplier and reliable partner of the European Union in the energy sector. It also demonstrates its constant concern to guarantee the security of supplies and promote a constructive dialogue with European partners, the statement specified.
The joint letter was signed by Mr. Mohamed Arkab, Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria; Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of the State of Qatar; Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Mr. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy of the United States of America.
This letter calls for urgent and necessary measures aimed at clarifying and amending the EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EUMR). It highlights the objective impossibility for a large portion of oil and gas exports destined for the European market to meet the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) requirements within the deadlines set to begin in January 2027, which would inevitably lead to supply disruptions and an unjustified increase in energy prices.
Among the main demands formulated in the letter are the adoption of a suspensive mechanism ("Stop the Clock") to grant the necessary time for the development of required methodologies and compliance trajectories suitable for all parties. It also requests the guarantee of protection for new contracts ("Grandfathering") concluded during the implementation period of the necessary legislative amendments, considering the long-term nature of these contracts and their financial volume, as well as the lifting of sanctions resulting from non-compliance during the transitional period, the ministry added.
In this context, "Algeria affirmed that Sonatrach and its oil and gas-producing partners have deployed concrete efforts and injected considerable investments into reducing methane emissions—efforts they continue to strengthen, in perfect alignment with the objectives of the European regulation and Algeria's international commitments," the same source highlighted.
In a statement on the occasion of this signing, the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mr. Mohamed Arkab, affirmed that "Algeria adheres to this collective initiative based on a deep-rooted strategic partnership with the European Union, with the fundamental objective of supporting European energy security and ensuring the continuity of supplies." He called for "a pragmatic approach reconciling the requirements of environmental sustainability and the imperatives of energy security."
The Ministry of Hydrocarbons also assured that "Algeria will maintain its active presence in the dialogue with European institutions and member states, with a view to reaching a balanced regulatory framework that preserves the common interests of all parties."
