OGCI gets broad support for methane initiative

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) has secured the support of 17 companies for its Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions pledge, alongside its 15 signatories, the organisation said on July 14.

OGCI, which includes 12 of the world's largest oil and gas companies including ExxonMobil, BP and Saudi Aramco, launched Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions in March this year, aimed at targeting a reduction in oil and gas industry methane emissions to nearly zero by the end of the decade.

Companies that have backed the initiative include US oilfield services giant Baker Hughes, Australian-US engineering group Worley and industry association IPIECA. Other supporters include emissions monitoring and detecting specialists such as GHGSat, OG Tech, Flare 2 Value and Pipeline 360.

Others developing new equipment and technologies to prevent leaks and utilise methane, such as Qnergy, Seek Ops, Clarke Valve, Highwood Emissions Management and Maze Environment, have also signed up, as have consultancies Wood Mackenzie, Carbon Limits and ERM, and non-governmental organisations such as Equitable Origin.

"Aiming for Zero outlines a clear pathway toward rapid emissions reductions for signatories. But they cannot solve the methane problem on their own," OGCI said in a statement. "That’s why the initiative is open to supporters who can help them to eliminate their methane footprint – and why the participation of companies such as Baker Hughes and Worley is so important."

OGCI noted that the initiative supplemented others in the field of methane emissions abatement, including the Methane Guiding Principles, the Oil and Gas Partnership 2.0 and the Global Methane Alliance.