Why standards that target methane emissions in Europe are needed
Earlier today, I took part in a panel at IP week with Mark Brownstein from Environmental Defense Fund and Iman Hill from International Association of Oil &Gas Producers.
Our discussion focused on what needs to be done to continually reduce emissions of methane – a highly potent greenhouse gas – to near-zero.
This challenge is close to my heart as it is fundamental to tackling global warming and transitioning to a world with net-zero emissions. Because natural gas consists mainly of methane, addressing climate change requires Shell and every company in our industry to reduce emissions across the full supply chain.
Voluntary efforts by companies are essential. That’s why Shell has set a target to maintain methane emissions intensity below 0.2% by 2025.
Such voluntary action must be matched by ambitious and robust policy and regulation. Iman, Mark and I focused on this point – looking specifically at Europe, given it imports almost half of all international traded gas in the world.
A few months ago, the European Union (EU) published a Methane Emissions Strategy to create a framework for future methane mitigation and legislation in the EU and beyond.
New EU methane emissions legislation is now being developed by the European Commission and will be proposed at the end of this year. This is good progress.
Attention is rightly being given to a mandatory Monitoring, Reporting and Verification framework; regulatory requirements on Leak Detection and Repair; and limitations on routine flaring and venting.
The Methane Emissions Strategy also noted that “the Commission will examine options as regards possible methane emission reduction targets or standards or other incentives on fossil energy consumed and imported in the EU.”
I was delighted to see this in the strategy and consider it a critical component of legislation being developed over the course of the year. Such standards are needed to assure the future of gas in the region.
Senior Consultant at DNV
4 年The oil & gas industry has been making efforts actively for some time to reduce methane emissions from its operation across the whole supply chain. DNV has worked in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors for detection of methane emissions (gas leak points) using infrared technology followed by estimation of emission rates. I fully agree with Maarten that it is time to develop Methane Emissions Standard, covering both fugitive and process emissions, in consultation with all stakeholders and implement that to the whole supply chain. The 'fugitive' methane emissions monitoring from operations should be made an integrated part of maintenance activities.
Director at OSS Enviro Limited
4 年Continuous and hand held solutions with integrated software are available to help you right now. OGI technology is the way forward. We are currently helping organisations to detect, quantify and reduce their Methane Emissions right now. We work across a full spectrum of industries and will happily support you guys with any requirements. The solution is here, available and works!!!
CEO | Board Chair and Independent Director | Transforming and Growing Businesses | Energy Transition | Engaging Speaker & Strong Moderator | DE&I Champion | Corporate Governance
4 年It was a pleasure to take part in this discussion with you and Mark, Maarten.
Operational Innovation Lead at National Gas Transmission
4 年Standards for methane emissions are both supremely important and very hard to implement. The industry would benefit from being able to accurately measure what is being emitted, in order to both a) set realistic targets, and b) prove they are meeting them. QLM Technology Ltd is enabling organisations to tackle their methane emissions reductions program with unique quantum technology solution that simultaneously visualises and quantifies emissions of methane in a cost-effective, industrially scalable way.
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