North Sea’s First Methane-Certified ‘Grade A’ Gas Project Launched by ONE-Dyas

Why It Matters

Grade A methane certification differentiates N05‑A in a market demanding transparent, low‑emission gas, unlocking premium pricing and regulatory compliance for European buyers.

Key Takeaways

• First offshore gas project with MiQ Grade A certification.
• 50 Bcm recoverable resources across Dutch and German waters.
• Platform powered entirely by renewable offshore wind electricity.
• Certification enhances marketability to low‑emission gas buyers.
• Sets benchmark for methane‑controlled offshore production in Europe.

Pulse Analysis

Methane emissions have become a focal point for regulators, investors, and energy buyers, prompting the industry to adopt rigorous measurement and verification standards. MiQ’s Grade A certification, awarded after an independent Intertek audit, signals that a project’s methane intensity meets the highest tier of transparency and performance. This framework not only satisfies tightening EU climate directives but also provides a credible data set that can be leveraged in sustainability reporting and ESG assessments, positioning certified assets as preferred supply sources.

The N05‑A installation distinguishes itself by coupling offshore gas extraction with a fully electrified operating model. By sourcing all power from the nearby Riffgat offshore wind farm via subsea cable, the platform eliminates diesel generators, reducing both direct CO₂ emissions and indirect methane slip associated with combustion‑based equipment. This renewable‑powered approach, combined with stringent operational controls, drives the low methane intensity required for Grade A status. The project’s 50 billion cubic metres of recoverable gas, now certified as low‑emission, offers a tangible example of how electrification can reconcile fossil‑fuel production with climate goals.

For European utilities and industrial consumers, the certified gas presents a differentiated product that can meet emerging low‑carbon procurement mandates. Buyers can now trace emissions back to the wellhead, supporting corporate net‑zero targets and satisfying mandatory disclosure regimes. The market response is likely to manifest as premium pricing for Grade A gas and increased investor confidence in offshore projects that adopt similar decarbonisation pathways. As more operators pursue MiQ certification, the N05‑A benchmark may accelerate a broader shift toward electrified, methane‑controlled offshore production across the continent.

North Sea’s first methane-certified ‘Grade A’ gas project launched by ONE-Dyas

February 12, 2026 · (WO)

The N05‑A development in the Dutch‑German North Sea, operated by ONE‑Dyas, has become the first offshore natural gas project in the region to achieve MiQ Grade A certification for methane emissions performance, marking a milestone for lower‑emissions offshore gas production in Europe.

The N05‑A gas installation, fully powered by renewable electricity from the Riffgat offshore wind farm seen in the background.

The certification was awarded following an independent audit of operational practices and measured methane emissions conducted by Intertek under MiQ’s methane emissions standard. The data‑driven certification framework evaluates both emissions performance and operational controls, providing transparency around methane intensity across the natural‑gas value chain.

N05‑A forms part of the GEMS area in the North Sea and is estimated to hold up to 50 Bcm of recoverable natural‑gas resources across Dutch and German waters. The project’s certified gas will be marketed by bp, targeting European utilities and industrial consumers seeking lower‑emissions supply.

The offshore installation is powered entirely by renewable electricity supplied via subsea cable from the EWE‑operated Riffgat offshore wind farm, eliminating combustion‑based power generation and significantly reducing operational greenhouse‑gas emissions. Electrification of the platform and associated drilling operations also reduces methane slip and venting, contributing to the project’s low methane intensity.

MiQ certification has been adopted by a growing number of operators globally as methane management becomes an increasing focus for regulators, investors and gas buyers. Industry stakeholders say independently verified emissions performance can support compliance requirements and differentiate gas supplies in markets placing greater emphasis on emissions transparency.

The N05‑A project represents a new benchmark for methane‑certified offshore gas production in Europe, as operators and buyers increasingly prioritize lower‑emissions supply from both new developments and existing assets.