How can you create a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions plan for drilling operations?

1 Scope and boundaries

The first step to create a GHG emissions plan is to define the scope and boundaries of your drilling operations. This means identifying the sources and types of GHG emissions that are relevant to your activities, such as flaring, venting, combustion, fugitive leaks, and electricity consumption. You also need to determine the operational boundaries of your plan, such as the geographical locations, the time period, and the organizational units that are involved in your drilling operations. By defining the scope and boundaries, you can establish a clear and consistent framework for measuring, reporting, and managing your GHG emissions.

2 Inventory and baseline

The next step to create a GHG emissions plan is to conduct an inventory and establish a baseline of your current GHG emissions. An inventory is a systematic process of collecting, calculating, and documenting the GHG emissions from your drilling operations, using standardized methods and tools. A baseline is a reference point that represents the GHG emissions level in a specific year or period, which you can use to compare and track your progress over time. By conducting an inventory and establishing a baseline, you can quantify and understand your GHG emissions profile, identify the key sources and drivers, and prioritize the areas for improvement.

3 Goals and targets

The third step to create a GHG emissions plan is to set goals and targets for reducing your GHG emissions from drilling operations. Goals and targets are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that reflect your commitment and ambition to lower your GHG emissions. You can set goals and targets at different levels, such as the corporate, project, or operational level, depending on your scope and boundaries. You can also use different metrics, such as absolute or intensity-based, to measure your performance. By setting goals and targets, you can align your GHG emissions plan with your business strategy, stakeholder expectations, and industry best practices.

4 Strategies and actions

The fourth step to create a GHG emissions plan is to develop and implement strategies and actions to achieve your goals and targets. Strategies and actions are the specific measures and initiatives that you will take to reduce your GHG emissions from drilling operations, such as improving efficiency, optimizing design, using renewable energy, capturing and storing carbon, or offsetting emissions. You need to evaluate the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and impact of each strategy and action, and prioritize them according to your resources and needs. By developing and implementing strategies and actions, you can translate your GHG emissions plan into concrete and tangible results.

5 Monitoring and reporting

The fifth step to create a GHG emissions plan is to monitor and report your GHG emissions performance and progress. Monitoring and reporting are the processes of measuring, verifying, and communicating your GHG emissions data and achievements, using reliable and transparent methods and tools. You need to monitor and report your GHG emissions performance and progress regularly, such as annually or quarterly, and compare them with your baseline, goals, and targets. You also need to disclose and share your GHG emissions information with your internal and external stakeholders, such as management, employees, customers, investors, regulators, or the public. By monitoring and reporting your GHG emissions performance and progress, you can demonstrate your accountability and credibility, and identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement.

6 Review and improvement

The final step to create a GHG emissions plan is to review and improve your GHG emissions performance and plan. Review and improvement are the processes of evaluating, learning, and updating your GHG emissions performance and plan, based on your monitoring and reporting results and feedback. You need to review and improve your GHG emissions performance and plan periodically, such as every year or every few years, and adjust them according to your changing circumstances, challenges, and opportunities. You also need to celebrate and recognize your achievements, and acknowledge and address your shortcomings. By reviewing and improving your GHG emissions performance and plan, you can ensure your continuous improvement and innovation, and enhance your competitive advantage and reputation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?