Europe's offshore gas industry hits new milestone with North Sea's first 'Grade A' methane-certified gas project

LONDON, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's transition to offshore gas production with lower methane emissions has reached a new milestone. The Dutch-German N05-A gas development, operated by Netherlands-based exploration and production company ONE-Dyas, has become the first natural gas production project in the North Sea to be independently certified as meeting the highest grade under MiQ's methane emissions standard.

The project has achieved a MiQ Grade A rating, following an independent audit of its operational practices and measured methane emissions data by Intertek, a global leader in Total Quality Assurance. This certification sets a new benchmark for lower-emissions gas production in Europe. MiQ provides a transparent, rigorous, data-driven grading system to assess natural gas based on methane performance, which helps drive regulatory compliance, incentivize continuous improvement, and demonstrate transparency around upstream methane emissions. For N05-A, Intertek's independent audit verified both the project's emissions data and the systems in place to manage methane as an accredited MiQ auditor.

Already adopted by producers including bp, ExxonMobil, Repsol, and EQT in the United States, MiQ's Methane Emissions Performance Standard is based on a comprehensive and transparent assessment of operational practices and emissions performance. As the offtaker for this project, bp will market ONE-Dyas' certified gas, targeting large gas buyers such as utilities and industrials.

N05-A is the first gas installation in the Dutch and German North Sea to be fully powered by renewable electricity. This is supplied via a nine-kilometre subsea power cable from the EWE-operated Riffgat offshore wind farm. By eliminating combustion-based power generation, the installation significantly reduces operational greenhouse gas emissions to near-zero. In addition, avoiding the use of gas-driven equipment eliminates methane slip and reduces venting and leaks, further lowering methane emissions.

Georges Tijbosch, Chief Executive Officer of MiQ, said: "The certification of N05-A highlights how innovative design and best-in-class operational practices can deliver meaningful methane emissions reductions. MiQ's independent assessments provide governments, regulators, and end-users with trusted data that supports accountability and continuous improvement across the energy sector."

N05-A forms part of the GEMS area in the North Sea, which holds up to 50 billion cubic metres of Dutch and German natural gas potential. By meeting the rigorous standards of MiQ certification, ONE-Dyas ensures that customers in The Netherlands and Germany can source natural gas with full confidence in its low methane environmental credentials.

Chris de Ruyter van Steveninck, CEO of ONE-Dyas, said: "With N05-A, we are not only delivering high-grade certification, we give customers verifiable assurance that this gas is produced with exceptionally low emissions. The mobile jack-up rig is also powered by that same energy source, to ensure electrified drilling. By combining innovative design with renewable power from the Riffgat wind farm, we demonstrate that domestic energy security and climate responsibility can go hand in hand. This certified gas shows what the future of cleaner, transparent and accountable gas production looks like in the energy transition."

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About ONE-Dyas

ONE-Dyas is the largest privately owned Dutch exploration and production company and a frontrunner in efficient, low impact natural gas production in the North Sea. With a long history of pioneering energy solutions, ONE-Dyas plays an essential role in securing reliable local energy with the lowest carbon footprint. The flagship N05-A development, fully powered by offshore wind, sets a new benchmark for near zero emission offshore gas production.

About MiQ

MiQ is a global leader in methane emissions certification and data. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to lower emissions gas by providing a credible and transparent certification system that drives regulatory compliance, incentivizes continuous improvement, and ensures methane accountability in the oil and gas sector throughout the entire supply chain.

About bp

Visit bp.com.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains. Intertek is a purpose-led company to Bring Quality, Safety and Sustainability to Life. We provide 24/7 mission-critical quality assurance solutions to our clients to ensure that they can operate with well-functioning supply chains in each of their operations. Our Customer Promise is: Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently, with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely. intertek.com

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