Doha, Qatar, September 2026 - The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (#GECF) hosted the 6th GECF Workshop on #Methane #Emissions #Reduction. The workshop examined the latest analytical work on the market and commercial implications of the EU Methane Regulation (#EU #MR) and its implementation challenges and discussed practical pathways for reducing methane emissions while safeguarding natural gas supplies that are reliable, affordable and secure.
Chaired by H.E. Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the GECF, the workshop brought together GECF Member Countries, independent analysts, industry organizations and research institutions. The workshop facilitated an open exchange of technical knowledge and stakeholder perspectives.
In his opening address, H.E. the Secretary General underscored that methane abatement is an essential part of responsible natural gas development. He set out five pillars for a methane framework that works across the global gas value chain, it should be effective in delivering real emissions reductions, fair to producing countries with differing circumstances, implementable across international supply chains, predictable for contracts and investment, and built through cooperation. He reaffirmed the GECF's readiness to support methane abatement efforts through the establishment of a consultation platform between the GECF and the European Union, like-minded organizations and importing partners, as well as through technical cooperation.
The first session, on technical assessments, examined the market impacts and trade implications of the EU MR, its energy security implications under current market conditions, practical challenges in its implementation and a verification and reporting protocol for the Regulation.
Presentations were delivered by Valentina Kretzschmar (Wood Mackenzie), Andreas Nilssen Skorpen (RystadEnergy), Maria Olczak (Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) and Erin Tullos (University of Texas at #Austin)
The second session brought together Andreas Guth (Eurogas), Maria Karagiannidou-Rosiek (IOGP), Mark McCrory (IGU), Howard Bevan (Al-Attiyah Foundation) and Amin Naderian (GECF). Over two rounds, the panellists set out their main concerns with the current design, timeline and implementation of the EU MR, put forward proposals for amending the Regulation and discussed the way forward.