Methane pollution remains widespread in Romania, with significant emissions persisting across all stages of oil and gas production, storage, and transport, despite some improvements, several environmental organisations have warned.

Between 8 and 16 July 2025, 2Celsius, the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) and the Center for Climate Crime Analysis (CCCA) carried out a campaign to document methane emissions in Romania, analysing more than 75 oil and gas facilities using optical gas imaging (OGI) technology.

Methane emissions were detected at 66 of the 75 sites visited, confirming the systemic nature of the problem.

At 39 oil and gas wells - representing 75% of those inspected - fugitive emissions (leaks) were identified, originating from valves, gauges and other wellhead components, the cited source stated.

'All 22 collection, processing and storage facilities investigated were found to be emitting methane, including through open access hatches and safety valves. Major venting events from stacks were documented at four of these facilities. All four compressor stations inspected showed significant venting from safety valves. At three of them, equipment failures caused by poorly sealed compressors and leaking pipelines were recorded. Visual evidence was captured at abandoned and active wells, processing facilities, storage tanks, and compressor stations. Footage was recorded by Théophile Humann-Guilleminot, certified ITEMA Level 1 Infrared Thermographer, using a FLIR GF320 camera, an industry-standard tool calibrated to detect hydrocarbons and particularly methane,' the environmental organisations said in a joint statement.

Since 2021, CATF and 2Celsius have conducted 185 visits to more than 250 sites, documenting 444 individual methane emission sources — both intentional and fugitive. Of these, 112 sources were recorded in 2025 alone.

'While previous investigations in Romania exposed severe fugitive emissions from damaged pipelines and equipment, as well as routine venting from outdated machinery, recent visits have shown significant improvements at some of the sites that CATF has monitored over the years. In many cases, the remaining emissions stem from poor operational practices, such as leaving open the so-called 'thief hatches' on storage tanks and separators, allowing methane to escape,' the document adds.

These improvements suggest that the EU Methane Regulation is already beginning to have a positive impact, underscoring the need for consistent implementation and a gradual, well-managed operational transition rather than abrupt changes driven by legal uncertainty, the source notes.

'Although preliminary drafts have been circulating since July 2025, Romania has not yet adopted the emergency ordinance required to designate the competent authorities and establish the penalties provided under the Regulation. In the absence of this legal framework, operators have already met several initial milestones, including preparing Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programmes by 5 May 2025, and submitting their first annual source-level methane emission reports by 5 August 2025,' the statement further notes.

However, the proposed penalty system remains inadequate — lacking a clear deterrent effect, cumulative sanctions, or significant daily fines — raising concerns that enforcement will remain largely symbolic, according to the environmental organisations. Although the National Agency for Mineral Resources has started compiling lists of inactive and abandoned wells, effective implementation depends on the swift adoption of a stronger ordinance. Until then, with a private sector moving forward and a state lagging behind, uncertainty persists regarding law enforcement, accountability, and Romania's capacity to fully implement the Regulation, they argue.

'Methane pollution remains widespread in Romania, as our campaign has documented significant emissions across all stages of oil and gas production, storage, and transport. Fortunately, we now have both the regulatory framework and the necessary tools to address this issue and hold operators accountable. The European methane regulation is already starting to deliver results. This is the time to implement it fully, not to weaken it,' said Theophile Humann-Guilleminot, Senior Campaign Manager for Methane Pollution Prevention at the Clean Air Task Force, as quoted in the release.

For his part, Mihai Stoica, Executive Director of 2Celsius, emphasised that operators have already shown that fixing leaks and upgrading equipment are both feasible and affordable.

'It's not easy work, but it's the responsible and necessary thing to do — for the climate, but also for workers, and for nearby communities exposed to toxic air from leaks ignored for years or even decades. This problem has long been overlooked. Weakening the rules now would only reward those who chose inaction over responsibility,' Stoica said.

Meanwhile, Julia Solana, Methane Program Director, Center for Climate Crime Analysis , noted that the emissions observed on the ground confirm what satellites are documenting globally — that 'methane pollution is a global crisis requiring urgent action.'

'With proven solutions available and growing momentum, Europe should be strengthening methane rules, not weakening them,' Solana stressed.

Representatives of the organisations said the investigation comes amid growing calls to preserve the integrity of the EU Methane Regulation and resist recent proposals to amend or simplify compliance measures, which could ultimately weaken rather than improve it.

Recently, 42 investors representing assets worth EUR 4.5 trillion urged the EU to fully implement the Methane Regulation.

Methane has a global warming potential 80 times higher than CO2 over a 20-year period and is highly flammable. It is often co-emitted with toxic gases such as benzene, hexane, and hydrogen sulphide, posing additional risks to the health of workers and nearby communities. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nicoleta Banciulea; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)