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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

The gold standard for Australian oil and gas corporations to report credible methane emissions

Helen Riordan A and Kane Annesley B *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Advisian, Perth, WA, Australia.

B Advisian, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

* Correspondence to: kane.annesley@advisian.com

The APPEA Journal 63 S434-S437 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22230
Accepted: 15 February 2023   Published: 11 May 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

Reducing oil and gas (O&G) methane emissions is the most immediate and impactful thing humanity can do to slow the rate of global warming. Initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) have been introduced, which aim to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. The International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) also launched the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which combines information from multiple sources to alert governments, companies, and operators of large emissions sources. The IMEO is intending to use MARS to educate governments and companies on emissions management. In response to global action for O&G emission reductions, Australia has reformed their Safeguard Mechanism for O&G facilities. The reform details a credit trading scheme that will incentivise facilities to progressively reduce emissions by 2030. Socially responsible Australian O&G corporations need to embrace best practices for measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) methane emissions, introducing a top-down, bottom-up approach of both satellite and on-site measurements. IMEO’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership, OGMP 2.0, provides a method for corporations to MRV their methane emissions from both operated and non-operated assets. The OGMP 2.0 is considered the gold standard of methane emissions MRV and should be embraced alongside the Safeguard Mechanisms reform to generate a roadmap of emissions reduction by 2030. This paper describes the global pressures and advancements in satellite technology for transparent methane emissions MRV, including the gold standard, OGMP 2.0, required of Australian O&G corporations to comply with this.

Keywords: Australia, emissions, GHG, Global Methane Pledge, GMP, gold standard, IMEO, IR act, MARS, measurement, methane, MRV, O&G, OGMP 2.0, reporting, Safeguard Mechanism, satellite, UNEP, verification.

Helen Riordan – Vice President, Upstream Midstream Consulting, Advisian. Helen has over 25 years’ oil and gas experience. Helen’s role involves developing sustainable business for Worley as the industry faces some of the most profound challenges in its history. Helen is adamant that a leaner and more efficient and socially responsible oil and gas industry will be required, both in terms of project execution and operation, which is driving a technical revolution and driving higher levels of artificial intelligence and automation with remote operation and management. Helen works with clients to understand these challenges before working with her own business to work out how we can meet them. Helen’s background is in development planning, FEED, and Detailed Design for Greenfield and Brownfield offshore projects and operations. During her career, Helen has managed multi-discipline technical (>200) and corporate (20) teams.

Kane Annesley – Energy Consultant, Decarbonisation, Advisian. Kane is an Energy Consultant for Advisian’s Decarbonisation team, with technical experience completing Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) for major suppliers within the oil and gas industry. Kane has bachelor degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business Management, allowing him to support the energy transition by creating a targeted approach to bridge the gaps between industry, government, and modern society. With an operations management background and a passion for sustainability, Kane has been able to draw on various experiences to best deliver decarbonisation solutions for Advisian’s clients.


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