NaTran and its policy on methane emissions
Thursday 30 April 2026
As part of its corporate project, NaTran has set itself the strategic objective of cutting its methane emissions by a factor of 6 by 2030 compared with 2016. Managing the various types of methane emissions - including diffuse emissions - is an intrinsic part of the gas transmission system operator's job, in the same way as industrial safety and continuity of supply.
To carry out these tasks, NaTran has technical teams spread across the country who work every day to detect and treat diffuse emissions.
Diffuse emissions from our surface facilities are naturally low.
The diffuse methane emissions observed by NaTran pose no danger to local residents and employees. This is a well-known phenomenon in the gas industry. For the NaTran facilities, preventive measures are anticipated right from the design stage. It should also be recalled that these facilities are located in restricted and secure areas.
NaTran stresses its commitment to applying the provisions of the regulation, ensuring that it organises its repair programme in such a way as to deal with priority situations promptly, while also respecting the safety requirements necessary during work on its facilities.
In anticipation of European regulation 2024/1787, NaTran deployed a reinforced programme of systematic research into emissions as early as 2016; these proactive actions have made it possible to reduce the annual volume of methane emissions fivefold between 2016 and 2024 (and eightfold those specifically linked to diffuse emissions from our aerial infrastructure).
Since the regulation came into force, the frequency of detection campaigns has been increased, leading to a threefold increase in the number of campaigns carried out each year. In addition, NaTran R&I's in-house research centre, whose work is recognised by the entire industry, constantly monitors and qualifies emerging technologies to ensure the effectiveness of the methods used by NaTran. NaTran is also working to reduce methane emissions from compressor stations, with the gradual roll-out of "zero-emission" compressor stations and the modernisation of its equipment. The company also launched its green maintenance subsidiary, Trensitis, in 2026, dont l’objectif est de récupérer les gaz émis lors des opérations de maintenance du réseau.
The French National Regulatory Commission (CRE) has approved the additional amounts that NaTran is committing for the period 2024–2027 to implement all the provisions of the regulation. In 2026 and 2027, NaTran plans to commit around €80m/year to reduce its emissions - around double the commitments for 2024.
In accordance with the regulatory framework, any diffuse emissions detected are reported to the relevant authorities (DGEC) and dealt with within the specified timeframes. In terms of reporting, NaTran is moreover in line with international best practices. A member of the OGMP since 2020 (an international initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme and supported by the European Commission), NaTran was once again awarded the Gold Standard label in 2025 for the quality and robustness of its methodology in this area.
Diffuse emissions from surface facilities represent 0.05% of the national inventory (1.7 million m³ of gas, or 1,170 tonnes of methane, compared with 2,200 kTCH4 for national emissions).
NaTran operates almost 32,600 kilometres of networks in France, in strict compliance with the regulation and in accordance with the highest international standards. NaTran is committed to an ambitious carbon reduction path, compatible with the Paris Agreement and the National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC).