API and IOGP Release Joint Position Paper, Support Increase in U.S. LNG Exports to the EU

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BRUSSELS, May 2, 2019 —The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) released a position paper today at the first EU-U.S. Energy Council Business-to-Business Energy Forum on encouraging large-scale U.S. LNG exports to the EU’s gas market.

“We’re experiencing a pivotal moment in U.S. energy leadership, as the number one producer and exporter of natural gas and oil. It’s also a critical time in terms of collaborating and building our Trans-Atlantic LNG relationship, as we have an ability to not only continue to elevate the quality of life in America, but globally as well. American natural gas has reduced CO2 emissions in the U.S. to the lowest levels we’ve seen in a generation, as well as provided substantial economic benefits to communities across the U.S., and by enabling greater flows of U.S. LNG to the EU we hope to bring more of this clean, affordable and reliable fuel to people around the world,” said API Vice-President Market Development, Todd Snitchler.

“If we really want to reach our climate objectives in Europe, we need our policymakers to acknowledge the value and role of gas in both in the short and longer term. The U.S., the UK and others around the world have shown what an impact shifting from coal to gas makes from a CO2 emission reduction and air quality perspective. By making a smart use of Europe’s own gas resources and the LNG supplied by partners such as the U.S., we can bring about a system combining renewables and gas which provides a secure supply of affordable and clean energy to Europeans,” said IOGP Director EU Affairs, François-Régis Mouton.

The joint policy recommendations for the U.S. include for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to continue to enhance their established review and permitting processes while maintaining transparent and consistent approval timelines; expanding executive branch agency efforts to promote U.S. LNG in EU countries; and for executive branch agencies to highlight U.S. industry standards and promote streamlined approval processes to ensure the construction of critical energy infrastructure in a timely manner.

For the EU, the joint policy recommendations include sending consistent signals expressing confidence in the medium and long-term role of natural gas in the EU energy mix; for the European Commission to work with member states to increase interconnectivity and to encourage public entities and businesses to use LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) in transportation to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality; and for the Commission to avoid unduly restrictive gas quality specifications that could create unnecessary barriers for LNG to enter the EU.

About API

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

About IOGP

The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) is the voice of the global upstream industry. Oil and gas continue to provide a significant proportion of the world’s energy to meet growing demands for heat, light and transport.

Our Members produce around 40% of the world’s and 80-90% of Europe’s oil & gas. They operate in all producing regions: The Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caspian, Asia and Australia.

We serve industry regulators as a global partner for improving safety, environmental and social performance. We also act as a uniquely upstream forum in which our members identify and share knowledge and good practices to achieve improvements in health, safety, efficiency, the environment, security and social responsibility.

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Contact

Nareg Terzian
Media and EU Affairs Manager
T: +32 2 790 77 73
M: +32 470 90 59 62
E: ntz@iogp.org