Methane Emissions
Methane is a potent Greenhouse Gas accounting for around 10% of total EU GHG emissions.
To maximize the benefits of natural gas as a partner to variable renewable energies and as a cleaner alternative to coal, our industry works to reduce methane emissions from its operations across the value chain.
The majority of global CH4 emissions are man-made. That means we can tackle them.
Source: International Energy Agency
In the EU, CH4 emissions account for around 10% of total GHG emissions.
Source: International Energy Agency
Compared to other main sources in the EU, the energy sector‘s emissions reduced the most and are also the lowest.
Source: European Environment Agency
Out of all EU CH4 emissions, the upstream oil & gas sector’s is <1%.
Source: IOGP Report 2021e.
Methane releases can occur along the oil and gas value chain for due to:
Flaring (burning) and or venting for operational safety or economic reasons.
Fugitive emissions due to unintentional leaks from pneumatic equipment, pipelines, wells, etc.
To maximize the benefits of natural gas as a partner to variable renewable energies and as a cleaner alternative to coal, our industry works to reduce methane emissions from its operations across the value chain.
Methane
quantification
Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)
Methane reduction target setting
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
Best Available Techniques
Recipe for an implementable EU Methane Regulation
with Axel Scheuer, Head of Energy & Climate Policy
To support the industry and stakeholders in the use of consistent terminology, Ipieca, IOGP, GIE and MARCOGAZ prepared this methane emissions glossary covering the whole natural gas value chain.
Intended for policymakers and regulators working on methane regulation in Europe, this glossary will be updated to reflect new legislation and technologies.
Some oil & gas industry initiatives
Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI)
methane intensity reduction target.
The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership
which aims for 0 routine flaring by 2030.
Methane Guiding Principles
focusing on areas of action to reduce methane emissions.
The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0)
reporting methodology created by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in 2014.
IOGP welcomes EU plans to prevent methane leaks in the energy sector and the establishment of the International Methane Emissions Observatory. We call for a risk-based and flexible approach allowing companies to choose optimal technologies approach to detect and repair methane leaks.
