EN ISO 6338-2:2026 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 6338-2:2026 sets out a standardized method for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during natural gas production and transport to liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Developed by CEN and harmonized with ISO 6338-2:2024, this standard applies to onshore and offshore natural gas production, gas processing, and transportation up to the inlet valve of LNG liquefaction plants. It is designed for use by organizations seeking accurate, auditable GHG inventories across the LNG value chain, with potential application to biogas and non-traditional gases.

The standard covers operational facilities and associated emissions sources, offering guidance for both direct measurement and estimation methods. It includes all relevant GHGs, such as CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and fluorinated gases and aligns with reporting requirements such as scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions per ISO 6338-1.

Key Topics

• System Boundaries The scope includes all processes from natural gas extraction through processing and transport to the LNG plant, embracing drilling, gathering networks, boosting stations, processing facilities, and pipelines with compression stations.

• Emission Source Identification All significant GHG emission sources are addressed, including:

  • Flaring and combustion
  • Process and cold vents
  • Fugitive leaks
  • Emissions from imported energy, such as purchased electricity or heat

• Allocation of Emissions Where facilities produce multiple products (e.g., domestic gas, LPG, condensate), emissions are allocated proportionally, typically by the higher heating value of each product stream.

• Instrumentation and Monitoring The standard recommends best practices for using instruments and estimation methods to monitor and report emissions, promoting reliable, consistent data collection and reporting.

• Preferred Units and Conversions It defines standardized units of measurement and necessary conversions to ensure harmonized reporting-essential for cross-company or regulatory comparisons.

• Reporting and Quality Management EN ISO 6338-2 describes procedures for reporting GHG emissions, as well as quality management systems to assure data reliability and consistency.

Applications

• GHG Inventory and Reporting Oil and gas companies, LNG operators, and upstream facility managers use this standard to quantify and report GHG emissions throughout the gas production and transportation phases of the LNG supply chain.

• Sustainability Performance and Benchmarking The standard supports environmental compliance, sustainability disclosures, and benchmarking against best practices or regulatory requirements.

• Carbon Footprint Certification and Reduction Initiatives By enabling accurate carbon footprint calculations, the standard underpins emissions reduction and offsetting schemes, supporting participation in environmental markets and initiatives.

• Multi-product Facilities Operators of facilities producing natural gas plus other by-products (LPG, condensate, power export, etc.) benefit from precise methodologies for allocating emissions, ensuring fair reporting across products.

• Application to Alternative Gases EN ISO 6338-2 is adaptable for emerging low-carbon fuels, such as biogas or synthetic methane, facilitating broader decarbonization strategies.

Related Standards

• ISO 6338-1: General principles for calculating GHG emissions across the LNG chain.
• ISO 14064-1: Guidelines for organizational-level GHG quantification and reporting.
• ISO 14044: Requirements for life cycle assessment and environmental management.
• ISO 14064-2/-3: Guidance for GHG reduction projects and the verification of GHG statements.
• CEN/TS 17874: Methodology for quantifying methane emissions across gas systems and LNG terminals.
• GHG Protocol: Widely recognized international GHG accounting and reporting standards.

EN ISO 6338-2:2026 offers a comprehensive, harmonized approach to managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the critical upstream segments of the LNG value chain, supporting regulatory compliance, sustainability, and climate action goals.