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

Developing a ‘fit for purpose’ approach to measuring methane emissions

Ian Joynes A * , Rory O’Keeffe A and Yvette Manolas A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Woodside Energy Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia.




Ian Joynes is the Global Methane Decarbonisation Lead at Woodside and is deployed in the decarbonisation team. Ian has degrees in engineering, chemistry, and business administration, and with 20 years experience in the energy industry, his focus is Woodside’s global methane management strategy.



Rory O’Keeffe is the Technology & Innovation Manager at Woodside and is part of the Operations Technology Team. Rory has a degree in Chemical Engineering, Master of Project Management and over 20 years of experience across both Defence and Energy sectors. His current focus is the qualification of technologies that realise high integrity emission data.



Yvette Manolas is the General Manager and Global Head of Decarbonisation at Woodside responsible for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions across Woodside’s global operations and projects. With 20 years experience in the oil and gas, Yvette has held various roles and global leadership positions including General Manager of the Pluto LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facilities and currently sits on several boards.

* Correspondence to: ian.joynes@woodside.com.au

Australian Energy Producers Journal 64 S148-S153 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP23067
Accepted: 20 February 2024  Published: 16 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

Tackling methane emissions from fossil fuel operations represents one of the best near- and medium-term opportunities for limiting the effects of climate change. Over the last few years, independent methane studies have challenged the accuracy and completeness of publicly disclosed emissions estimates. To address this, new methane accounting and reporting frameworks have been developed. Central to these frameworks are key principles linked to measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification (MMRV) and reduction. Woodside has taken specific actions to measure and reduce its methane emissions and is developing a pathway to embed ongoing and sustainable measurements technologies in its operations. Previously, Woodside discussed the management and valuation of methane reductions, this paper will describe the approach taken to develop methane measurement plans including (i) the objective of measurement plans, (ii) measurement technology attributes and (iii) the identification of measurement technology use cases. It also overviews measurement techniques such as satellite, aerial, drone, handheld and continuous monitoring which can form part of a curated multi-scale approach to MMRV across a portfolio of assets.

Keywords: decarbonisation, emissions, fugitive, inventory, measurement, methane, mitigation, MMRV.

Biographies

EP23067_B1.gif

Ian Joynes is the Global Methane Decarbonisation Lead at Woodside and is deployed in the decarbonisation team. Ian has degrees in engineering, chemistry, and business administration, and with 20 years experience in the energy industry, his focus is Woodside’s global methane management strategy.

EP23067_B2.gif

Rory O’Keeffe is the Technology & Innovation Manager at Woodside and is part of the Operations Technology Team. Rory has a degree in Chemical Engineering, Master of Project Management and over 20 years of experience across both Defence and Energy sectors. His current focus is the qualification of technologies that realise high integrity emission data.

EP23067_B3.gif

Yvette Manolas is the General Manager and Global Head of Decarbonisation at Woodside responsible for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions across Woodside’s global operations and projects. With 20 years experience in the oil and gas, Yvette has held various roles and global leadership positions including General Manager of the Pluto LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facilities and currently sits on several boards.

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