Unlocking the full potential of bioLNG: mass balance liquefaction must remain a viable pathway

BioLNG (liquefied biomethane holding verified sustainability attributes) is a key solution in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy-duty transport and maritime shipping, where other technologies have to date proved to be less effective, or not viable at all. 

Under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996, two equally valid regulatory pathways are available for supplying bioLNG. The first is physical liquefaction, where biomethane is produced and converted into liquid form at a liquefaction facility directly connected to the production site or to the grid. The second is mass balance liquefaction (or liquefaction by equivalence), where gaseous biomethane is injected anywhere in the grid and directly recovered as liquid using the LNG facilities within the interconnected European gas infrastructure. The integrity of the chain of custody is ensured by the implementation of a certified1 mass balancing system.

The ability to rely on both physical and contractual pathways provides much greater opportunity to develop the sector, enable greater flexibility in infrastructure use, support investments in EU biomethane production, and ensure stable supply of domestic renewable fuels. When mass balance liquefaction allows domestically produced biomethane to reach consumers, consumers have access to a wider range of producers and decarbonised products, and Europe’s dependency on imported fossil fuels is reduced. 

Against this backdrop, the revision of Implementing Regulation 2022/996 and RED II Annex VI are instrumental to establish the necessary framework to help unlock the EU’s bioLNG potential.