Methane emissions reduction and enabling technologies

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 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. 

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. Oil and natural gas production from this region accounts for almost half of our net U.S. production.