Mexico Unveils Practical Oil and Gas Regs to Cut Climate-Damaging Methane

(MEXICO CITY – July 30, 2018) The Mexican Government proposed new regulations today to cut harmful oil and gas methane emissions, helping Mexico advance its international climate commitments. The rules, once finalized, will place Mexico among the leading governments controlling methane emissions as a way to meet their climate goals and avoid energy waste.

Methane is a powerful pollutant and the primary ingredient in natural gas. Large quantities of methane can escape through leaks and venting across the oil and gas supply chain.

“Getting strong methane rules in place quickly can help secure Mexico’s energy independence and ensure that its growing oil and gas industry operates as efficiently as possible. Reducing methane gas leaks benefits the environment, economy and Mexico’s communities.

“Mexico has shown real leadership in developing sound regulations to address methane pollution. The draft rules draw on learnings from other oil and gas jurisdictions already successfully controlling methane emissions across North America.

“Mexico is the latest example of growing international action to tackle a critical, yet solvable climate problem. The next administration can build on this leadership by swiftly implementing the methane regulations and continuing to position Mexico at the forefront of climate issues.”

        - Drew Nelson, International Affairs Director, Energy

The oil and gas industry is recognizing the importance of reducing methane. Recently, Pemex agreed to a near-zero methane emissions future with nine other major producers. Big investors in Mexico’s revitalized energy sector, ExxonMobil and Equinor, are also working to advance the technologies to control methane. Concerted industry and policy actions to reduce methane, a greenhouse gas that drives 25 percent of warming, could be a climate game-changer.

EDF shared international regulatory best practices for reducing oil and gas methane emissions with the Mexican government during the development of the draft regulations. Mexico’s proposed methane regulations are in line with those international best practices.