From Compliance to Leadership in Advancing Methane Accuracy Globally

The Oil and Gas industry bears a significant responsibility for climate change, given its substantial contribution to global emissions, especially methane, a potent GHG. As PETRONAS operates on a global scale, with emissions regulations such as carbon taxes implemented in certain countries, driving the advancement of its methane emissions management strategy. PETRONAS became a signatory of OGMP 2.0 in November 2022 and currently is on the verge of achieving the Gold Standard in methane reporting. Accuracy enhancement in methane emission figures is achieved by progressing through successive stages (Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5), as outlined by the OGMP 2.0 framework. Level 3 represents the minimum approach for quantification across natural gas value chain facilities, relies on generic emission factors applied at the source level. To meet this requirement, an in-house developed tool has been established specifically for this purpose. Level 4 incorporates direct source-level measurements or combination of metering and engineering-based calculations. Level 5 builds on Level 4 by incorporating site-level direct measurements and conducting reconciliation between top-down and bottoms-up measurements. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recognized and accepted PETRONAS's proposed implementation plan, awarding it the distinguished Gold Standard Pathway for two consecutive years. This progress to date has been fueled by dedicated commitment and proactive initiatives, supported by an open-door policy that encourages collaboration with technical service providers and universities. At both Level 4 and Level 5, various technologies were evaluated, tested and implemented such as portable QOGI, satellite, drone, etc. The real challenge is methane emissions are highly dynamic, ranging from trace levels in parts per million to over 100 grams per hour, with thousands of potential leaks contributing to this variability. No single technology or device may be sufficient to fulfil all requirements necessary to achieve Level 4 and 5. A combination of devices, such as QOGI and optical flare efficiency cameras, has been employed to meet the requirements, for example, to achieve Level 4 ground measurement coverage. The offshore environment and cloud cover are part of the challenges for Level 5 measurement. Devices that are compatible with offshore environments have been identified and used for site-wide methane plume detection and quantification, together with optimized drone flight planning to capture flare height and full plume dispersion. PETRONAS is continuously advancing and striving for improvement and enhancement in methane emissions management. Benefiting from personnel upskilling and hands-on experience with technology testing and deployment, PETRONAS is maturing its collaborative efforts with other Southeast Asian countries to develop the region's first methane emissions technology evaluation center (METEC). METEC is targeted to serve as the key enabler for achieving high-accuracy methane data. Accurate methane data can enhance the efficiency and speed of emission reduction initiatives.