ExxonMobil will certify its natural gas produced from the Permian basin at its south-east New Mexico facilities through non-profit MiQ, to promote its emissions reduction efforts.
The supermajor has plans to cut greenhouse gas intensity for upstream operations by 15% to 20% by 2025, as well as reduce methane intensity by 40% to 50% and flaring intensity by 35% to 45%.
“We are reducing methane emissions responsibly and economically, and, by working with MiQ, we can provide our customers with credible third-party validation of those efforts,” said Bart Cahir, senior vice president of unconventionals.
“As we improve our operations, certifying our natural gas will help our customers achieve their goals and support a lower-carbon future.”
Certified gas will be available to customers by the fourth quarter of the year, with MiQ certifying about 200 million cubic feet per day.
MiQ, which is a partnership between RMI — formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute — and SYSTEMIQ, a global sustainable development consultancy, maintains its own standard that assesses methane intensity and issues certificates based on the grade achieved.
“We’re pleased to be working with ExxonMobil at Poker Lake and look forward to a fruitful long-term partnership that creates a differentiated, more transparent and cleaner gas market,” said Georges Tijbosch, senior adviser at MiQ.
“These steps and the rapid reduction of methane emissions [are] critical to the world achieving its climate goals.”
MiQ has also partnered Chesapeake Energy to certify natural gas in its shale basins.
ExxonMobil is expanding its use of methane detection technologies, using satellites and artificial intelligence to find and reduce emissions in the region.
