TotalEnergies has announced the deployment of continuous, real-time methane emissions detection equipment across all its operated upstream assets.

This initiative is part of the company's goal to achieve near-zero methane emissions by 2030.

The focus on real-time detection aims to address both fugitive and stationary methane emissions, allowing for immediate corrective actions.

The initiative falls in line with the global need to reduce such emissions, which is one of the points identified during the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and aligns with the Global Methane Pledge put forward by the US and EU at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.

Since 2022, TotalEnergies has been working towards reducing its methane emissions, targeting a 50% reduction by 2024 compared with 2020 levels.

The company is on track to achieve an 80% reduction by 2030. This progress is attributed to various initiatives including the deployment of AUSEA drone campaigns.

The continuous detection equipment will be fully implemented by the end of 2025. The equipment will utilise existing and proven technologies like Internet of Things sensors, infrared cameras, flowmeters and predictive emissions monitoring systems.

These technologies will be applied to both existing facilities and new projects such as the GranMorgu FPSO in Suriname, setting a new standard for TotalEnergies.

TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné said: “Slashing down methane emissions is a short-term priority to contribute to the fight against climate change. Continuous, real-time detection will enable our operators to act in an even more decisive manner in order to reduce our methane emissions and to repair leaks to achieve our near-zero methane emissions ambition.

“As a champion of the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), I am proud that TotalEnergies is leading the way in deploying such equipment at large scale and we will continue to work with the industry to share best practices in measuring and fighting methane emissions.”