Thank you for tuning in to the Highwood Bulletin. This issue rounds up recent developments in methane regulation, energy security, and market access. It includes updates on proposed U.S. exemptions for marginal wells, LNG trade developments, EU methane import requirements, regulatory coordination, and LDAR programs. You’ll also find Highwood perspectives on OGMP 2.0 and EUMR verification, and recent additions to our Emissions Intelligence Platform.
Articles
Bill to Exempt Marginal Wells from Methane Emissions Regulation
Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill that would, if passed, exempt low-producing “marginal” oil and gas wells from certain federal methane monitoring, reporting, leak detection, and emissions control requirements. (Read more here, here, and here)
Canada to Sign Large-Scale LNG Deal with Germany
Canada has announced an agreement between the Ksi Lisims LNG export facility of British Columbia and Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) of Germany. The planned Ksi Lisims facility is expected to have LNG emissions 94% below the global average. (Read more here and here)
Norway Warned EU Methane Rules Could Affect Energy Supply
Norway warned the European Commission in 2025 that aspects of the EU Methane Regulation could reduce Norwegian oil and gas exports to the EU while simultaneously increasing total upstream emissions. (Read more)
U.S. LNG Exporters Seek Delay to EU Methane Rules
U.S. LNG exporters have asked the European Union to delay enforcement of methane import requirements until at least 2028, arguing that regulatory uncertainty around compliance is already discouraging long-term gas supply agreements. (Read more)
Rystad Highlights Rising Methane Footprint of European Gas Imports
Rystad Energy analysis indicates that methane emissions associated with Europe’s imported gas supply have shifted as the region has shifted toward more LNG and non-Russian sources. (Read more)
IEA and CCAC Launch Global Methane Regulator Network
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) have launched the Methane Regulator-to-Regulator (MR2R) Network, bringing together officials and regulators from nearly 30 countries to accelerate methane abatement. (Read more)
Pemex Faces Ongoing Methane Reduction Challenges
Mexico Business News highlights that Pemex continues to face significant challenges reducing methane emissions, citing aging infrastructure, operational constraints, and the scale of emissions across its oil and gas operations despite ongoing regulatory and corporate efforts to improve performance. (Read more)
Gap Analysis to Identify Opportunities in LDAR Programs at LNG Facilities
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is funding a GTI Energy research project to evaluate existing federal and state LDAR regulations, identify industry standards and best practices, and assess the feasibility of a public portal. (Read more)
From Voluntary Initiative to Regulatory Infrastructure: OGMP 2.0 is at an Existential Crossroads (Opinion)
OGMP 2.0 now covers more than 42% of global oil and gas production and 80% of LNG flows, and from January 1, 2027, Level 5 plus verification becomes a recognized compliance pathway under the EU Methane Regulation. In a new opinion piece, Highwood CEO Thomas Fox and Matthew Harrison of SLR International argue the framework was built for voluntary credibility but is now being pulled into the machinery of regulation, finance, and commercial risk, and lay out what UNEP must change to keep it credible as the bar rises. (Read more)
Briefing 001: The EU Methane Regulation: Building Methane Data Systems that Can Withstand Verification
EUMR is in force, and verification is coming. Most operators are betting on one of two strategies: wait for more guidance, or align to OGMP 2.0 and call it done. Both leave the same gap. The first Highwood Memo lays out a third path: traceable methane data systems built to withstand reasonable-assurance scrutiny and adapt as requirements evolve. (Read the briefing)
New Updates to the Emissions Intelligence Platform
Two new updates have been introduced to the Emissions Intelligence Platform, the world’s most widely deployed methane reporting and intelligence platform. The new Data Insights page gives you a single view of asset, site, and measurement coverage, with the ability to evaluate data completeness and analyze trends across your own operational measurements. Want to know how this year’s average emission rate for rich burn engines compares to last year? That’s the kind of question it answers. We’ve also expanded the API so data created inside EIP can flow into the systems you already use. (Learn more about EIP)
