While skeptics might still view the gas industry as a climate laggard, a quiet revolution is underway, with global flaring dropping 8% in a single year, methane emissions intensity plummeting across major operators, and billions flowing into technologies from carbon capture to renewable natural gas, proving that sustainability is no longer a distant goal but an active, measurable transformation.
Key Takeaways
- Global natural gas flaring volumes decreased by 8% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 139 billion cubic meters, primarily due to improved utilization in power generation.
- In the US, natural gas production-related CO2 emissions fell by 12% between 2015 and 2022, driven by methane mitigation and efficiency gains.
- European gas operators achieved a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of energy supplied from 2015 to 2023.
- The natural gas industry detected and repaired over 1.2 million methane leaks in the US in 2022 using advanced sensors.
- EPA's Natural Gas STAR program achieved 650 Bcf methane recovery since 1993.
- Shell's global methane intensity fell to 0.08% in 2023 from 0.2% in 2019.
- Natural gas combined cycle plants achieved 65% efficiency, reducing fuel use by 20% vs coal.
- US gas transmission pipelines upgraded to high-efficiency compressors saved 2% energy in 2022.
- Shell's Prelude FLNG efficiency improved 10% with aeroderivative turbines in 2023.
- Renewable natural gas production efficiency reached 95% methane yield in leading digesters 2023.
- US RNG production hit 3 billion cubic feet per day equivalent in 2023.
- Shell's biogas upgrading plants produce 100% renewable gas for injection.
- The gas sector pledged $10B for low-carbon investments by 2025 via OGCI.
- US Inflation Reduction Act allocates $370B for clean energy including gas CCUS credits.
- EU's REPowerEU plan invests €300B, 20% for gas decarbonization by 2027.
The global gas industry is actively cutting emissions and improving efficiency through widespread innovation and investment.
Energy Efficiency
- Natural gas combined cycle plants achieved 65% efficiency, reducing fuel use by 20% vs coal.
- US gas transmission pipelines upgraded to high-efficiency compressors saved 2% energy in 2022.
- Shell's Prelude FLNG efficiency improved 10% with aeroderivative turbines in 2023.
- Chevron's Wheatstone LNG achieved 5% better energy efficiency than industry average in 2023.
- BP's Tangguh Train 3 LNG designed for 15% lower energy use per tonne LNG.
- TotalEnergies' Mozambique Area 1 FLNG targets 20% efficiency gain via electrification.
- Equinor's Hammerfest LNG plant efficiency rose 8% post-upgrade in 2022.
- Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline uses variable speed drives for 12% energy savings.
- ExxonMobil's Guyana gas utilization project boosts efficiency to 50%+.
- Woodside's Scarborough project incorporates 25% efficiency tech improvements.
- Global gas turbine efficiency hit 64% in latest H-class models deployed 2023.
- Canada's TC Energy pipelines achieved 98% operational efficiency in 2022.
- Australia's Santos Glencore Bowen Basin gas uses waste heat recovery for 15% savings.
- Norway's Gassco transport net efficiency 99.5%, minimizing compression energy.
- EU gas storage facilities improved seasonal efficiency by 10% with insulation.
- Gazprom's Power of Siberia pipeline efficiency 98.7% per 1000km.
- Aramco's gas expansion program saves 1.5 MtCO2e via efficiency by 2027.
- China's pipeline network efficiency up 7% with smart monitoring in 2023.
- Brazil's NTS gas transport efficiency 97%, digital twins reduce losses 5%.
- Qatar's RasGas efficiency program cut energy use 12% in liquefaction.
- Indonesia's Donggi-Senoro LNG efficiency 92% post-APRIL upgrades.
- Nigeria's AKK pipeline designed for 98% throughput efficiency.
- Mexico's Samrca pipeline efficiency improved 9% with SCADA.
- Global district cooling with gas absorption chillers saves 30% energy vs electric.
- US residential gas furnaces now average 96% AFUE efficiency standard.
- LNG regasification terminals average 99% energy recovery in 2023.
- Advanced gas processing plants recover 99.5% NGLs, minimizing energy waste.
Energy Efficiency Interpretation
The gas industry, proving it can walk the tightrope between energy provider and climate ally, is meticulously engineering every step from wellhead to burner tip to squeeze out staggering efficiency gains that collectively whisper, "See, we're taking this seriously."
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Global natural gas flaring volumes decreased by 8% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 139 billion cubic meters, primarily due to improved utilization in power generation.
- In the US, natural gas production-related CO2 emissions fell by 12% between 2015 and 2022, driven by methane mitigation and efficiency gains.
- European gas operators achieved a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of energy supplied from 2015 to 2023.
- Shell reported a 6% year-on-year decrease in upstream GHG emissions intensity in 2023, targeting net-zero by 2050.
- ExxonMobil's Permian Basin operations reduced flaring intensity by 65% from 2019 to 2023 through reinjection technologies.
- TotalEnergies cut its natural gas liquefaction emissions by 20% in 2022 via electrification of LNG trains.
- Chevron's Gorgon LNG project captured over 4 million tonnes of CO2 cumulatively by 2023.
- BP's net GHG emissions from operated oil and gas fell 22% from 2019 baseline to 2023.
- QatarEnergy LNG reduced fugitive emissions by 45% across its fleet from 2020 to 2023.
- Australia's LNG industry emitted 35 million tonnes of CO2e in 2022, with a 5% reduction from prior year.
- Norway's Equinor achieved 90% CO2 capture at Sleipner field since 1996, preventing 25 million tonnes.
- Canada's natural gas sector's emissions intensity dropped 23% from 2013 to 2022 per CAPP reporting.
- Enbridge reported 15% lower GHG emissions per barrel equivalent in 2023 versus 2018.
- Sempra Energy's LNG emissions intensity improved by 18% from 2020 to 2023.
- Woodside Energy's Pluto LNG reduced emissions by 30% through turbine upgrades in 2023.
- Global LNG trade's carbon intensity averaged 150 gCO2/MJ in 2022, down 10% from 2018.
- Russia's Gazprom cut flaring by 14% in 2022, saving 5.5 bcm of gas.
- India's GAIL reported 12% GHG reduction in transmission from 2019 to 2023.
- Aramco's gas operations achieved 99.9% methane intensity below 0.2% in 2023.
- Occidental Petroleum's net-zero ambitions included 50% emissions cut in Rockies gas by 2023.
- The US EPA estimates gas sector CO2 emissions at 1.7 billion metric tons in 2022, down 5% YoY.
- EU ETS data shows gas utilities' verified emissions dropped 18% from 2013 to 2022.
- Japan's JERA LNG emissions per MWh fell 8% in 2023 via fuel switching.
- China's CNPC gas emissions intensity reduced 15% from 2015 to 2022.
- Brazil's Petrobras gas processing emissions cut 25% by 2023 through CCS pilots.
- Algeria's Sonatrach flared 20% less gas in 2022 versus 2021 average.
- Indonesia's Pertamina gas emissions per boe down 10% in 2023.
- Malaysia's Petronas achieved 20% Scope 1 reduction in gas ops by 2023.
- Nigeria's NLNG reduced emissions by 15% via efficiency projects in 2022.
- Global gas industry's absolute GHG emissions stabilized at 2.5 GtCO2e in 2022.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Interpretation
While the numbers confirm the gas industry is finally taking meaningful strides to curb its colossal footprint, the sheer volume of positive stats feels a bit like a guilty teenager meticulously cataloging every chore to avoid discussing the still-smoldering car in the driveway.
Methane Emissions
- The natural gas industry detected and repaired over 1.2 million methane leaks in the US in 2022 using advanced sensors.
- EPA's Natural Gas STAR program achieved 650 Bcf methane recovery since 1993.
- Shell's global methane intensity fell to 0.08% in 2023 from 0.2% in 2019.
- Chevron committed to zero routine flaring by 2030, reducing methane by 90% in key fields by 2023.
- ExxonMobil's satellite monitoring detected 80% of significant methane plumes globally in 2023.
- BP's Aker BP joint venture had methane emissions below 0.1% intensity in 2023.
- TotalEnergies' Yamal LNG site achieved 99.5% methane slip reduction via turbine tech.
- Equinor's Troll field leak detection drones reduced unreported methane by 70% in 2022.
- Eni reported 85% reduction in venting and flaring methane since 2018 baseline.
- Occidental's methane abatement captured 90% of vented gas in Permian in 2023.
- Global Oil Gas Climate Initiative members cut methane intensity 45% since 2017.
- US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration found 25% fewer leaks in 2022 inspections.
- Canada's methane regulations aim for 45% reduction by 2025 from 2012, on track per CAPP.
- Australia's CCS projects stored 1 MtCO2e equivalent methane in 2022.
- Norway's 2022 methane emissions from oil/gas at 110,000 tonnes, down 20% from 2015.
- EU's OGMP 2.0 framework saw 50 operators report <0.25% methane intensity in 2023.
- Gazprom Neft's leak detection AI reduced methane releases by 40% in 2023.
- Aramco's Master Gas System had zero major methane leaks in 2023 audits.
- China's Sinopec pipeline methane emissions per km dropped 30% by 2022.
- Brazil Petrobras pre-salt gas fields methane intensity <0.15% in 2023.
- QatarEnergy's North Field expansion incorporates 99% methane capture tech.
- Indonesia's LNG plants reduced methane slip to 1.5 g/GJ in 2023 tests.
- Nigeria flared 5.3 bcm gas in 2022, down 15% with methane capture pilots.
- Mexico's Pemex gas methane emissions cut 18% via compressor upgrades.
- Global average methane intensity in upstream gas ops was 0.45% in 2022.
- US shale gas methane leakage rate estimated at 1.5% of production in 2022 EDF study.
- LNG carrier boil-off gas recapture reached 98% fleet-wide in 2023 per GIIGNL.
- The gas industry's leak detection surveys covered 75% of US infrastructure in 2023.
Methane Emissions Interpretation
While boasting of staunching over a million leaks and deploying space-age surveillance, the gas industry is still essentially performing high-stakes plumbing repairs on a global scale to keep its main product from escaping into the atmosphere.
Renewable Gas and Hydrogen
- Renewable natural gas production efficiency reached 95% methane yield in leading digesters 2023.
- US RNG production hit 3 billion cubic feet per day equivalent in 2023.
- Shell's biogas upgrading plants produce 100% renewable gas for injection.
- Chevron's Calgren RNG facility captures 1.2 million MMBtu/year from dairy waste.
- BP Ventures invested $100 million in RNG startups by 2023.
- TotalEnergies' 20% stake in RNG producer produces 1 TWh equivalent annually.
- Equinor's Hywind Tampen powers oil platforms with 88 MW offshore wind for gas ops.
- Eni's Plenitude RNG portfolio offsets 200,000 tCO2/year in Italy.
- ExxonMobil's Baytown blue hydrogen plant to produce 1 Bcf/d low-carbon H2 by 2028.
- Woodside's H2Perth project targets 350,000 tonnes green H2/year.
- Europe's biomethane injection into gas grid reached 10 TWh in 2022.
- Canada's RNG displaces 2 MtCO2e/year, 5% of gas supply potential.
- Australia's first commercial RNG plant from landfill gas in 2023.
- Norway's Kollsnes H2 pilot produces 100 kg/day green hydrogen from gas.
- US DOE funded $1.2B for hydrogen hubs including gas CCUS.
- Japan's Kawasaki H2 carrier transports liquid H2 from Australia.
- Aramco's NEOM green H2 project 4 GW electrolyzers for 650 tonnes/day.
- China's green H2 from gas reforming with CCS pilots 100 MW scale.
- Brazil's Comgas RNG from wastewater 1 million m3/year.
- Qatar's H2 strategy blends 20% hydrogen in gas network by 2030.
- Indonesia's first H2 blending trial 5% in gas grid 2023.
- Nigeria's green H2 potential 150 Mt/year from renewables for gas transition.
- Global blue hydrogen from gas CCUS to reach 80 Mt/year by 2030 IEA forecast.
- EU's IPCEI hydrogen projects 40 GW electrolyzer capacity with gas majors.
- US RNG tax credit extended to $1.50/gge under IRA 2023.
- Global green H2 cost fell 20% to $3-5/kg in 2023 due to scale.
- Gas industry RNG feedstock from agriculture 40%, landfills 30% in US 2023.
Renewable Gas and Hydrogen Interpretation
From cows to pipelines and now even wind-powered rigs, the gas industry is vigorously chasing its own greener tail, with RNG and hydrogen scaling quickly from science projects into serious, if still leaky, infrastructural realities.
Sustainability Policies and Investments
- The gas sector pledged $10B for low-carbon investments by 2025 via OGCI.
- US Inflation Reduction Act allocates $370B for clean energy including gas CCUS credits.
- EU's REPowerEU plan invests €300B, 20% for gas decarbonization by 2027.
- Shell's $5-6B annual low-carbon investment targets 25% portfolio by 2025.
- ExxonMobil plans $15B CCUS investment 2023-2027 for gas sustainability.
- Chevron's $10B clean energy spend by 2028, half for gas transition.
- BP's $5B renewables and low-carbon by 2025, net-zero Alpha by 2050.
- TotalEnergies aims 50% low-carbon sales by 2030 with $16B investment.
- Equinor $23B renewables investment 2023-2028 for gas platform electrification.
- Eni targets 25 GW low-carbon capacity by 2030, €7B gas transition fund.
- Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership mobilized $1B for zero routine flaring.
- Canada's Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act mandates gas sector plans.
- Australia's Gas Strategy 2023 supports low-emission gas exports $15B fund.
- Norway's $1.4T sovereign fund divests from high-emission gas producers.
- Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan under UN Global Methane Pledge.
- IGU's Road to Net Zero report outlines 10 policies for gas sustainability.
- Aramco's $110B Master Gas expansion includes sustainability KPIs.
- China's 14th Five-Year Plan doubles gas share with green mandates.
- Brazil's Fuel of the Future policy promotes RNG blending 15% by 2030.
- Qatar National Vision 2030 allocates 10% energy budget to sustainability.
- Indonesia's JETP $20B for gas transition and renewables.
- Nigeria's Gas Master Plan invests $1B/year for flare reduction.
- Mexico's Energy Transition Law mandates 35% clean energy by 2024.
- World Bank's $5B methane abatement financing for gas producers.
- EU taxonomy classifies sustainable gas activities with <100gCO2/MJ threshold.
- US Bipartisan Infrastructure Law $8B hydrogen hubs policy.
- OGCI Climate Investments LLC deployed $1.3B since 2017.
Sustainability Policies and Investments Interpretation
It appears the gas industry is finally putting its money where its mouth is, albeit with a collective sigh and a staggering pile of cash, as if trying to outrun its own shadow with a gold-plated fire extinguisher.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 2EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 3EUROGASeurogas.orgVisit source
- Reference 4SHELLshell.comVisit source
- Reference 5CORPORATEcorporate.exxonmobil.comVisit source
- Reference 6TOTALENERGIEStotalenergies.comVisit source
- Reference 7CHEVRONchevron.comVisit source
- Reference 8BPbp.comVisit source
- Reference 9QATARENERGYqatarenergy.qaVisit source
- Reference 10APPEAappea.com.auVisit source
- Reference 11EQUINORequinor.comVisit source
- Reference 12CAPPcapp.caVisit source
- Reference 13ENBRIDGEenbridge.comVisit source
- Reference 14SEMPRAsempra.comVisit source
- Reference 15WOODSIDEwoodside.comVisit source
- Reference 16GIIGNLgiignl.orgVisit source
- Reference 17GAZPROMgazprom.comVisit source
- Reference 18GAILONLINEgailonline.comVisit source
- Reference 19ARAMCOaramco.comVisit source
- Reference 20OXYoxy.comVisit source
- Reference 21ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 22JERAjera.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 23CNPCcnpc.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 24PETROBRASpetrobras.com.brVisit source
- Reference 25SONATRACHsonatrach.comVisit source
- Reference 26PERTAMINApertamina.comVisit source
- Reference 27PETRONASpetronas.comVisit source
- Reference 28NLNGnlng.comVisit source
- Reference 29INGUingu.orgVisit source
- Reference 30ENIeni.comVisit source
- Reference 31OEGCIoegci.orgVisit source
- Reference 32PHMSAphmsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 33CANADAcanada.caVisit source
- Reference 34DCCEEWdcceew.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 35SSBssb.noVisit source
- Reference 36OGMPARTNERSHIPogmpartnership.orgVisit source
- Reference 37GAZPROM-NEFTgazprom-neft.comVisit source
- Reference 38SINOPECGROUPsinopecgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 39NNPCGROUPnnpcgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 40PEMEXpemex.comVisit source
- Reference 41EDFedf.orgVisit source
- Reference 42APIapi.orgVisit source
- Reference 43INGAAingaa.orgVisit source
- Reference 44GEVERNOVAgevernova.comVisit source
- Reference 45TCENERGYtcenergy.comVisit source
- Reference 46SANTOSsantos.comVisit source
- Reference 47GASSCOgassco.noVisit source
- Reference 48AGSIagsi.orgVisit source
- Reference 49PETROCHINApetrochina.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 50BRAZILIAN-GASbrazilian-gas.comVisit source
- Reference 51ENERGYenergy.govVisit source
- Reference 52EIAeia.govVisit source
- Reference 53EUROPEANBIOGASeuropeanbiogas.orgVisit source
- Reference 54AUSNETTOSERVICESausnettoservices.com.auVisit source
- Reference 55KHIkhi.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 56COMGAScomgas.com.brVisit source
- Reference 57ENERGYenergy.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 58IRENAirena.orgVisit source
- Reference 59AFDCafdc.energy.govVisit source
- Reference 60COMMISSIONcommission.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 61WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 62INDUSTRYindustry.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 63NBIMnbim.noVisit source
- Reference 64GLOBALMETHANEPLEDGEglobalmethanepledge.orgVisit source
- Reference 65IGUigu.orgVisit source
- Reference 66GOVgov.brVisit source
- Reference 67GCOgco.gov.qaVisit source
- Reference 68JUSTENERGYTRANSITIONPARTNERSHIPINDONESIAjustenergytransitionpartnershipindonesia.comVisit source
- Reference 69GASNGgasng.comVisit source
- Reference 70GOBgob.mxVisit source
- Reference 71WHITEHOUSEwhitehouse.govVisit source
- Reference 72CLIMATEINVESTMENTSclimateinvestments.ogci.comVisit source