This study provides comprehensive information on the current state of the gas grid, its development, and the regulatory framework in selected European countries, and identifies current regulatory barriers for the phase-out of fossil gas. It concludes with recommendations on how Member States could better align energy infrastructure planning with the attainment of national and EU climate targets.

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) launched a Satellite Monitoring Campaign in 2021 to take practical action to help reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations, demonstrate the capability of satellite technology to detect and quantify methane in Iraq and provide information to local operations to help them reduce emissions. In 2022-2023, OGCI extended its flagship Satellite Monitoring Campaign (SMC) to Algeria, Kazakhstan and Egypt to support more countries taking practical action to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

This paper analyses the impact of this framework on the existing natural gas networks and the emerging hydrogen network and seeks to establish specifically whether its rules ensure flexibility and security of supply.