American oil and gas companies have launched a new partnership to expedite emission cuts from operations across the country.
The decision was taken as part of a meeting convened by the American Petroleum Institute (API), with participation from several firms representing the oil and gas industry.
The Environmental Partnership initiative, which is supported by 26 producers, will initially focus on reducing methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, with implementation set to commence from next month.
API president and CEO Jack Gerard said: “This groundbreaking partnership further demonstrates the industry’s leadership and commitment to responsibly developing America’s energy resources while reducing emissions.
“US methane emissions have fallen over the past decade as domestic natural gas and oil production has increased significantly due to the industry’s technology innovation and efforts to increase efficiencies.”
Through the programme, companies such as Shell, BP, Anadarko, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Statoil, Total and Exxon Mobil subsidiary XTO Energy aim to improve the overall environmental performance of the industry.
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By GlobalDataUnder the environmental performance programme, the companies will implement monitoring and timely repair of fugitive emissions at selected sites, as well as replace, remove or retrofit high-bleed pneumatic controllers with low or zero-emitting devices.
Additionally, the participants will minimise emissions related to the removal of liquids that have the ability to build up and restrict natural gas flow.
Shell Unconventionals business executive vice-president Greg Guidry said: “Industry is committed to environmental stewardship and the Environmental Partnership is a good vehicle to deliver industry focus and action.
“We are proactively taking steps to reduce methane emissions to ensure the sustainability of natural gas for generations to come.”
The latest voluntary initiative by the industry follows eight energy companies, including BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell, Statoil, Total, Repsol and Wintershall, signing a ‘Guiding Principles’ document last month outlining several measures to tackle the growing methane emissions.
