Methane emissions reduction and enabling technologies

Our commitment to reducing our methane emissions

EMISSIONS AND CLIMATE

Natural gas production and methane emissions

We are a major natural gas producer, with activities spanning Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Australia and the U.S. Gulf Coast to a world-class future development in Mozambique and shale basins across the continental United States. Natural gas is a versatile, cleaner burning fuel that can help power modern life with fewer emissions when compared to coal. The power sector's growing use of natural gas is one reason why emissions in the United States have declined more than those of any other country since 2000, according to the International Energy Agency . We’re committed to helping meet the demand for affordable energy through natural gas, while advancing climate solutions.

We’ve reduced operated U.S. unconventional methane emissions by approximately 40% as of year-end 2021 when compared to 2016 by, among other practices, conducting 39,000 leak surveys at more than 11,500 production sites and eliminating 100% of our “high-bleed” pneumatic devices.

What we're doing to help reduce our methane emissions

  • Detection technology

    Technology solutions are essential in addressing climate change, including methane emissions

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    Detection technology Detection technology

  • Policy and regulation

    Support for federal regulations can help accelerate industry initiatives to reduce methane emissions
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    Policy and regulation Policy and regulation

  • Natural gas certification

    Certifying natural gas to help validate methane emissions reductions

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    Natural gas certification Natural gas certification

AIMING FOR ZERO METHANE EMISSIONS

Methane has met its match

In March of 2022, we announced our support for the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative's (OGCI) Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative. ExxonMobil and 11 other signatories will strive to reach near zero methane emissions from operated oil and gas assets by 2030. This initiative builds upon our previously announced 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction plans from our operations in the Permian Basin. Our participation in OGCI’s initiative is just one way we’re aiming to reduce and ultimately eliminate venting, leaks and other sources of methane associated with oil and gas production. Learn more about our OGCI commitment

Net-zero ambition

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Natural gas emits up to 60% less greenhouse gases and significantly fewer air pollutants than coal, but unintended methane leaks can make their way into the atmosphere during the production, storage and transportation of oil and gas.

Reducing methane emissions constitutes a key part of our “Net Zero by 2050” greenhouse gas emission ambition, as detailed in our Advancing Climate Solutions Progress Report . In the Permian Basin that spans southeast New Mexico and West Texas, we have laid out a roadmap to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030; our ambition is to bring all operated oil and gas assets to net zero by 2050. As part of this roadmap, we’re undertaking efforts to reduce methane emissions from our Permian unconventional operations by deploying the latest technologies, upgrading equipment and facilities, and investing in best practices. These efforts are being validated by an independent third-party in a pilot certification program at a portion of our Permian Basin facilities in New Mexico. Achieving net-zero emissions in the Permian Basin will be a major contributor to the Company’s efforts to support a lower-emission future. Permian unconventional assets account for more than 40% of ExxonMobil’s net U.S. oil and natural gas production.