Improving air quality

As we work to meet the world’s needs for energy and products, we maintain a focus on reducing emissions from our operations.

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Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are not the full story of air emissions. Our “Improving air quality” focus area covers other types of emissions, like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at our operated assets.

For new projects, we apply our air emissions Project Environmental Standards. Existing operations regularly review opportunities to reduce air emissions.

Further, our corporate-wide initiatives to reduce GHG emissions intensity have the potential for additional reductions in non-GHG emissions.

In the Permian Basin, we are electrifying more of our operations. Replacing gas-engine driven compressors with electric alternatives, for example, reduces combustion NOx emissions, as well as fugitive methane and associated VOCs.

We have also eliminated routine flaring in our heritage operated assets in the Permian Basin in line with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring Initiative.1 Reducing flaring further reduces associated NOx emissions.

Our approach

Clean air is important to the health of our communities and the environment. Our approach to air quality management includes:

  • Understanding the composition and extent of our emissions.
  • Meeting or exceeding environmental regulatory requirements.
  • Reducing air emissions to minimize potential impacts on local communities.
  • Monitoring science and health standards related to air quality.
  • Working with regulatory agencies to assess and address potential air quality issues.

We are guided by our Environment Policy, the standards set by our Project Environmental Standards, and the expectations in our Operations Integrity Management System. 

Air emissions performance data

From 2016 to 2024, total reportable emissions of VOCs, SOx, and NOx decreased by about 25% at operated assets.2 Lower energy demand during the global pandemic had a direct impact on air emissions. However, our emission-reduction efforts also enabled us to keep these emissions below pre-pandemic levels, even as our throughput increased to record highs.

For historical data on our air emissions, please see the performance data table.3

Air emissions

Air emissions from ExxonMobil operated assets only.

Spotlight

Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program

At the (GCGV) joint venture that we operate near Corpus Christi, Texas, the Gregory-Portland community has seen little to no change in air quality since operations began.4

Through three community stations, The University of Texas has continuously monitored the area’s air quality since January 2020. The Gregory-Portland area continues to meet quality standards set by federal and state agencies. Analysis by the University of Texas at Austin shows that the overall air quality in the area ranks in or near the top 10% compared to data measured at the 40 monitors located throughout the state and operated or funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

This data is provided by the Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program and analysis is shared with local residents via direct mail and a regularly updated website, maintained by a third-party affiliated with the University of Texas.

For a more in-depth analysis, visit: https://gpair.ceer.utexas.edu/

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    FOOTNOTES: 

    1. Reference to routine flaring herein is consistent with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative/Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership’s principle of routine flaring and excludes safety and non-routine flaring. Heritage Permian refers to Permian Basin assets prior to the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources Company that closed in May 2024.
    2. Air emissions performance data includes recent acquisitions (Denbury data beginning November 2, 2023 and Pioneer data beginning May 3, 2024).
    3. Historical performance data for NOx reflects a change in methodology for estimating NOx emissions from certain combustion equipment based on manufacturer performance data.
    4. Based on 2020-2023 data as published in Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program Air Quality Report Card, Spring 2024; 2024 data not available at time of publication.