New EU regulations could add to the incentives for managing the methane present in the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions that occur during oil loading operations.

Agreement has been reached between the European Parliament and Council on a new EU Regulation to reduce energy sector methane emissions in Europe and for imports.

The new regulation will oblige the fossil gas, oil and coal industry to measure, monitor, report and verify their methane emissions according to the highest monitoring standards, and to take action to reduce them. It requires operators to report regularly and to carry out regular surveys of their equipment to detect and repair methane leaks within specific deadlines. It also bans routine venting and flaring.