Majors Commit to Further Work on Methane Emissions
Two European majors Shell and BP have joined the Collaboratory for Advancing Methane Science (Cams), an industry-led consortium helping producers to improve environmental performance, Cams said September 18.
Working to deliver transparent data to evaluate the most effective methane emissions reduction strategies, Cams was established by leading US and European firms Cheniere, Chevron, Equinor, ExxonMobil, and Pioneer Natural Resources.
Cams is pursuing studies advancing science on where and how methane emissions are occurring along the natural gas value chain. The University of Texas-Austin recently started working on Cams' first project to develop an open access oil and gas operations emissions calculator.
"Shell continually seeks opportunities to broaden our knowledge related to methane emissions and reducing our environmental footprint. We see Cams as a unique resource that could help inform and realise our targeted ambition towards lowering our methane emissions along the natural gas value chain," said the president of Shell Oil, Gretchen Watkins.
"Natural gas has a vital role to play in helping the world transition to a lower-carbon future, but we must control methane emissions for it to reach its full potential," said the president of BP America, Susan Dio.
BP develops its own technology
A week earlier on September 10, BP said it would deploy continuous measurement of methane emissions in its future BP-operated oil and gas processing projects as part of its ambitious programme to detect, measure and reduce methane emissions.
Gas cloud imaging (GCI) will be rolled out to all new major projects worldwide. The technology has also been tested and installed in existing facilities such as BP’s giant natural gas Khazzan field in Oman, it said.
The deployment of this technology represents a major step-change in the oil and gas industry’s approach to detecting, quantifying and reducing methane emissions. Historically, engineering calculations and emission factors have played an important part in quantifying emissions.
BP’s chief operating officer for production, transformation and carbon, Gordon Birrell, said: “This programme represents an industry first and reflects our commitment to be a leader in advancing the energy transition by maximising the benefits of natural gas."
In addition to continuous methane measurement, BP is also aiming to make use of a network of complementary technology, including a new generation of drones, hand-held devices and multi-spectral flare combustion cameras – drawing upon scientific breakthroughs made in diverse fields, spanning healthcare, space exploration and defence.