Natural gas certification

Methane emission reduction

Certifying natural gas to validate methane emission reductions

Our work to certify natural gas produced at a number of our Permian Basin facilities in New Mexico is based on rigorous, third-party criteria established by nonprofit MiQ. The certification process provides more transparent and consistent assessment of methane intensity, detection technology and emission mitigation practices. Certification allows us to independently validate efforts to reduce methane emissions, which are a key component of our roadmap to net-zero emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) in the Permian Basin by 2030. The company is currently expanding certification to natural gas production in Appalachia and assessing other opportunities across our assets.

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Achieving top certification for our Poker Lake natural gas

Based on criteria outlined by MiQ, approximately 200 million cubic feet per day of natural gas produced from our Permian Basin facilities at Poker Lake, New Mexico, has been independently certified and received the top grade for methane emissions management. Our suite of advanced monitoring technologies and robust leak detection and repair practices are key to achieving this A grade. We are selling this certified gas, produced with low methane emissions, to Xcel Energy to help power homes, schools and businesses in southeastern New Mexico with fewer lifecycle emissions than non-certified natural gas. Read more about our top certification

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Certifying natural gas on a pathway to a lower-emission energy future In 2021, ExxonMobil became the first integrated energy company to announce participation in a program to certify natural gas production through a pilot at Poker Lake, New Mexico, a key area of its Permian Basin operations, using standards developed by MiQ, a nonprofit organization.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • May 24, 2022

Snapshots of solution makers: Felipe J. Cardoso Saldaña Felipe J. Saldaña is relatively new to ExxonMobil, joining the company just last year. But in that short time, the Ph.D. has jumped into helping develop better ways to detect methane emissions in regions across the world.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • Aug. 5, 2021

Snapshots of solution makers: James Hall James Hall, who holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, spent years studying both microbial life deep underground and environments that could support life on Mars and beyond. He then decided that the most impactful place to study the interplay between life and the environment was here on Earth itself, through work that supports the need for energy while protecting the planet.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • Aug. 6, 2021

Snapshots of solution makers: Monte Dobson Monte Dobson has spent his entire career at ExxonMobil and today leads the company’s ambitious push to cut methane emissions. With a background in physics and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, Monte oversees a group that assesses the different methods available for methane detection and abatement.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • Aug. 6, 2021

Snapshots of solution makers: Sam Aminfard Sam Aminfard is in the right position at the right time. Having recently obtained his doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, Sam’s expertise helps ExxonMobil prioritize which methane detection technologies are best suited for use in the field – at a time when new solutions are constantly being developed for a challenge that requires immediate attention.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • Aug. 6, 2021

Tracking methane from above ExxonMobil is setting out to change how the industry tracks, and fixes, methane leaks. Earlier this year, ExxonMobil submitted its application to the Environmental Protection Agency to use aerial technology as a new model regulatory framework for detecting methane.

Emissions and climate Energy Factor • July 29, 2021

Methane: Developing new technologies for regulatory compliance ExxonMobil is the first company to file an application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use new technologies to detect methane emissions at oil and natural gas sites.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • April 8, 2021

Reducing methane emissions by leveraging terabytes ExxonMobil is working to find new and better ways to monitor and reduce methane emissions through a new collaboration involving universities, environmental groups and other industry partners. Called Project Astra, the effort is focused on developing an innovative sensor network to continuously monitor methane emissions across large areas to enable quick and efficient detection and repair of leaks.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • May 19, 2020

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