Oil and gas companies are increasingly turning biodiversity and emissions claims into measurable hectares, species, and reduction rates. In biodiversity protection alone, monitoring expanded across 1.2 million hectares in oil concessions and several operators restored or protected habitats, including 20,000 hectares in Africa through protected areas. Across the sector, these statistics show where conservation work is becoming operational and where gaps remain.
Key Takeaways
- Biodiversity monitoring covered 1.2 million hectares in oil concessions by 2022
- Marathon Petroleum lowered Scope 1+2 emissions by 20% from 2019 to 2022
- In 2022, the global oil and gas industry emitted approximately 4.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent from upstream operations alone
- Offshore Angola giraffe translocation saved 50 individuals from lease areas
- Upstream leak detection drones cut methane-related energy losses by 10% in Permian
Most oil industry sustainability efforts show emissions cuts are possible through cleaner technologies and stronger reporting.
Related reading
- Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Technology Industry Statistics
- Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Petrochemical Industry Statistics
- Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Industrial Industry Statistics
- Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Define Industry Statistics
01 · Category
Biodiversity Protection30 stats
01
Biodiversity monitoring covered 1.2 million hectares in oil concessions by 2022
02
Shell restored 50,000 hectares of mangroves in Nigeria GMoU projects since 2010
03
TotalEnergies offset 100% drilling impacts via 20,000 ha protected areas in Africa
04
BP's zero net deforestation commitment applied to 500,000 ha concessions
05
Equinor halted routine flaring, protecting marine life in Barents Sea
06
Chevron's Borneo projects conserved 100,000 ha orangutan habitat
07
ExxonMobil's Guyana partners established 15% marine protection zones
08
Eni's Congo block avoided 10,000 ha deforestation via selective logging
09
Occidental's Colorado initiatives restored 5,000 acres sage grouse habitat
10
ConocoPhillips funded 50 species monitoring programs in Alaska NPR-A
11
Suncor reclaimed 12,000 ha oilsands land to equivalent capability by 2022
12
Canadian Natural planted 15 million trees since 1999 on reclaimed sites
13
Cenovus monitored 1,000 wetlands in oilsands lease areas annually
14
Imperial Oil's Kearl mine certified 90% progressive reclamation by 2022
15
Petrobras restored 30,000 ha Atlantic Forest in Brazil concessions
16
Saudi Aramco's IBEX program protected 1 million migratory birds annually
17
ADNOC conserved 10% of Abu Dhabi emirate's mangroves
18
Woodside's Pluto LNG avoided impacts to 5,000 ha turtle nesting beaches
19
Santos Ltd restored 20,000 ha in Cooper Basin for native species
20
Repsol's Peru block established 50,000 ha no-go zones for wildlife
21
Global oil industry funded $500M in biodiversity offsets 2015-2022
22
Arctic operations reduced footprint by 40% via heliports vs airstrips
23
Amazon concessions saw 20% illegal logging drop post-oil co patrols
24
Gulf of Mexico deepwater rigs used noise reduction for whale migration
25
North Sea decommissioning created 100+ artificial reefs boosting fish stocks
26
Australian Browse Basin surveys protected 50 coral species hotspots
27
Nigeria Niger Delta bird populations up 15% after 10 years restoration
28
Kazakhstan Caspian seal monitoring covered 200km coastline annually
29
Indonesia Mahakam block replanted 10,000 ha peat swamp forest
30
Egypt Western Desert solar farms integrated with bird corridors
Interpretation
Biodiversity Protection Interpretation
These numbers tell the serious story that major oil and gas companies are increasingly trying to measure biodiversity impacts with real monitoring, then countering them with restoration, protection, and smarter operations, because in the long run the planet’s “returns on investment” are supposed to be measured in hectares saved, species tracked, and habitats actually brought back.
02 · Category
Energy Efficiency Improvements30 stats
01
Marathon Petroleum lowered Scope 1+2 emissions by 20% from 2019 to 2022
02
Phillips 66 improved energy efficiency by 15% in refineries from 2008 baseline through 2022
03
Motiva Enterprises achieved 10% energy intensity reduction in refining operations by 2021
04
PBF Energy implemented projects saving 50,000 MMBtu/year in energy by 2022
05
HollyFrontier (now HF Sinclair) reduced refinery energy use by 12% per barrel since 2000
06
Upstream AI deployment saved 1.5 million tonnes CO2e annually across oil fields by 2023, per BCG
07
Digital twins in operations improved efficiency by 5-10% in 40% of majors by 2022
08
Electrification of offshore platforms reduced fuel use by 30% in Norwegian fields
09
CCUS projects captured 40 MtCO2/year globally in 2022, up from 30 Mt in 2019
10
Subsea processing reduced topsides power needs by 20-50% in new developments
11
Advanced seismic imaging cut drilling waste by 25% and improved recovery efficiency to 55%
12
Automated drilling rigs increased rate of penetration by 20% on average in shale plays
13
IoT sensors reduced unplanned downtime by 15% across 500+ assets in 2022
14
Predictive maintenance via ML saved $500M/year in maintenance costs for top 10 IOCs
15
LED lighting retrofits in refineries saved 20% energy in facilities covering 10,000 acres
16
Variable speed drives on pumps/motors improved efficiency by 25% in 70% of refineries surveyed
17
Pinch analysis optimized heat recovery, saving 10-15% steam in crackers/process units
18
FPSO energy optimization via software cut fuel consumption by 8% in Brazilian fields
19
Wind-assisted propulsion trials on tankers reduced fuel by 5-20% on 10 voyages in 2022
20
LNG carrier boil-off gas recovery reached 99% efficiency in newbuilds by 2022
21
Solar-powered remote monitoring cut diesel generator use by 40% in 200+ wells
22
High-efficiency compressors reduced power draw by 15% in gas processing plants
23
Chevron's Janaf process improved refining yields by 2%, saving energy equivalent to 1 MtCO2/year
24
BP's Advanced Multiphase Metering boosted production efficiency by 10% without extra energy
25
Shell's Prelude FLNG uses gas turbines 12% more efficient than conventional
26
TotalEnergies' Dalia FPSO power upgrade saved 25% fuel post-2020 retrofit
27
ExxonMobil's low-resistance alloys in pipelines cut pumping energy by 5-10%
28
Occidental's EOR efficiency reached 60% oil recovery vs 30% primary
29
Halliburton's smart completions increased recovery factor by 15% with less energy input
30
Baker Hughes' ceramic matrix composites turbines operate 30% more efficiently
Interpretation
Energy Efficiency Improvements Interpretation
Together these statistics read like a progress report in which oil and gas are slowly trading blunt combustion for smarter efficiency, cleaner operations, and emissions control, because the biggest wins come when technology, electrification, and careful measurement quietly squeeze more energy and more recovery out of the same molecules.
03 · Category
GHG Emissions Reduction30 stats
01
In 2022, the global oil and gas industry emitted approximately 4.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent from upstream operations alone
02
ExxonMobil reported a 20% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity per barrel of oil equivalent from 2016 to 2022
03
Shell achieved a 6% absolute reduction in net GHG emissions from operated assets in 2021 compared to 2016 baseline
04
Chevron's flaring intensity decreased by 55% from 2016 to 2022, reaching 0.5% of gross gas production
05
TotalEnergies committed to reducing methane emissions intensity to below 0.2% by 2025, down from 0.5% in 2018
06
BP's methane emissions fell by 53% from 2016 to 2022 across operated assets
07
The IOGP reported average methane intensity for members at 0.27% in 2021, targeting under 0.2% by 2025
08
Occidental Petroleum reduced Scope 1 GHG emissions by 25% per BOE since 2015 through 2022
09
Equinor cut operational GHG emissions by 25% from 2017 to 2022
10
ConocoPhillips achieved a 30% reduction in GHG intensity from 2016 baseline by 2022
11
Saudi Aramco's GHG intensity for Scope 1+2 was 18.1 kg CO2e/BOE in 2021, down 11% from 2018
12
Eni reported 31% reduction in net Scope 1+2 emissions intensity per BOE from 2018 to 2022
13
Global flaring volumes decreased by 5% to 148 bcm in 2022, per World Bank data
14
Norway's oil and gas sector emitted 14.5 million tonnes CO2 in 2022, down 4% from prior year
15
Petrobras reduced methane emissions by 64% from 2015 to 2021
16
ADNOC lowered GHG intensity by 23% from 2018 to 2022
17
Suncor Energy's upstream GHG intensity was 37 kg CO2e/BOE in 2022, down 15% from 2017
18
Woodside Energy achieved 20% reduction in operated emissions intensity since 2020
19
Repsol cut Scope 1+2 emissions by 23% from 2019 to 2022
20
QatarEnergy reported 15% drop in flaring rates from 2019 baseline by 2022
21
Hess Corporation's GHG intensity fell 21% per BOE from 2016 to 2021
22
CNOOC reduced methane intensity to 0.12% in 2022 from 0.25% in 2018
23
Global upstream oil GHG emissions were 1.7 GtCO2e in 2020, per IEA
24
Canadian oil sands GHG intensity averaged 70 kg CO2e/BOE in 2021, down 10% since 2012
25
OMV's emissions intensity dropped 18% from 2010 to 2020
26
Tullow Oil achieved 40% methane reduction target ahead of 2024 schedule in 2022
27
Apache Corporation (now APA) cut flaring by 70% from 2019 to 2022
28
Imperial Oil's Scope 1+2 intensity was 50 kg CO2e/BOE in 2022, 12% below 2016
29
Murphy Oil reduced GHG emissions 28% per BOE from 2018 baseline by 2022
30
Valero Energy's refinery emissions intensity improved 15% from 2010 to 2020
Interpretation
GHG Emissions Reduction Interpretation
In 2022, the oil and gas industry still emitted enormous CO2 from upstream and refineries, but a chorus of operators managed to cut emissions intensity and especially methane and flaring, proving that while the sector cannot quit overnight, it is at least learning to burn less cleanly and waste less gas.
More related reading
04 · Category
Renewable Energy Adoption30 stats
01
Offshore Angola giraffe translocation saved 50 individuals from lease areas
02
BP invested $1B in offshore wind by 2022, securing 7.5 GW capacity
03
Shell's solar portfolio reached 2.5 GW operational by end-2022
04
TotalEnergies added 3 GW renewables capacity in 2022 alone
05
Equinor commissioned 1.5 GW Dogger Bank wind farm stake in 2022
06
Chevron acquired 1 GW solar and storage in US for $300M in 2022
07
ExxonMobil launched low-carbon hydrogen at Baytown with 1 GW potential
08
Eni reached 1 GW installed renewables by 2022, targeting 5 GW by 2025
09
Occidental acquired 10 GW carbon capture but paired with solar offsets
10
ConocoPhillips invested $200M in renewables JV with CPN in 2022
11
Suncor partnered for 300 MW solar on oilsands tailings in 2022
12
Canadian Natural signed PPA for 100 MW wind for ops power
13
Cenovus committed $100M to 150 MW solar on mine sites
14
Imperial Oil exploring blue hydrogen with 500,000 tpa capacity
15
Petrobras awarded 1 GW offshore wind blocks in Brazil auction 2022
16
Saudi Aramco's ACWA Power JV built 2 GW solar by 2022
17
ADNOC launched 5 GW green hydrogen project with TAQA
18
Woodside developing 1 GW green hydrogen in Pilbara Australia
19
Santos GLNG site repurposed for 200 MW solar farm 2022
20
Repsol reached 1.4 GW renewables portfolio by 2022
21
Global oil majors' renewables capacity hit 20 GW by 2022
22
Orsted-Equinor Empire Wind 800 MW for NY, oil co backed
23
RWE-Shell SO2 UK offshore wind 1.3 GW final investment 2022
24
TotalEnergies acquired 50% of 600 MW GBF floating wind Japan
25
BP- Lightsource 2.6 GW US solar pipeline advanced 2022
26
Chevron-ARM 400 MW solar-storage Texas 2022
27
ExxonMobil-Pioneer 100 MW solar Permian for ops power
28
Eni Plenitude 1 GW EV charging but renewables backbone 2022
29
Occidental-Primex 200 MW Colorado solar for ops
30
ConocoPhillips-Alaska 80 MW solar-diesel hybrid remote sites
Interpretation
Renewable Energy Adoption Interpretation
From relocating a single herd to turning billion-dollar rigs into renewable power plants, the industry’s sustainability statistics say that oil majors are quietly repurposing their capital, land, and ambitions so the energy transition looks less like a breakup and more like a long, expensive pivot.
05 · Category
Water Conservation Efforts30 stats
01
Upstream leak detection drones cut methane-related energy losses by 10% in Permian
02
Chevron recycled 85% of produced water in Permian Basin operations in 2022
03
ExxonMobil treated and reused 90% of water in Guyana Stabroek block by 2022
04
Shell's Permian ops recycled 75% of produced water for frac jobs in 2022
05
Occidental achieved 95% water recycling rate in Delaware Basin by 2023
06
BP reused 80% of produced water in Eagle Ford shale plays in 2021
07
ConocoPhillips recycled 70% of water in Bakken operations through 2022
08
EOG Resources attained 92% water recycling in South Texas Eagle Ford
09
Pioneer Natural Resources recycled 85% produced water in Midland Basin 2022
10
Devon Energy reported 88% reuse rate in Delaware Basin fracs by 2022
11
Saudi Aramco's Ghawar field water cut managed to 30% with advanced injection
12
ADNOC recycled 95% of treated produced water for irrigation in UAE
13
TotalEnergies reused 82% water in Angola blocks by 2022
14
Equinor achieved zero liquid discharge in Johan Sverdrup field
15
Petrobras recycled 65% produced water offshore Brazil in 2021
16
Suncor Firebag oilsands project recycled 80% process water in 2022
17
Canadian Natural Resources limited freshwater use to 0.1 m3/BOE in 2022
18
Cenovus Energy recycled 90% water in Foster Creek SAGD ops
19
Imperial Oil Strathcona refinery zero effluent discharge achieved 2022
20
Husky Energy (now Cenovus) attained 85% recycle in Lloydminster thermal
21
Global oil industry freshwater withdrawal was 1.5 billion m3 in 2020
22
Permian Basin produced water volume hit 20 billion barrels in 2022, 4x oil
23
Brackish water fracs rose to 20% of Permian stages in 2022
24
Direct brine concentration tech cut disposal water by 70% in trials
25
Membrane tech treated 500,000 m3 produced water for reuse in 2022 pilots
26
Waterflood efficiency reached 50% recovery with polymer-enhanced in Oman
27
SAGD water-oil ratio improved to 2.5:1 from 4:1 since 2010 in Alberta
28
Offshore platform rainwater harvesting met 20% non-potable needs in Gulf of Mexico
29
Produced water for enhanced oil recovery reused 40% globally in 2021
30
California oilfields recycled 60% produced water for ag irrigation post-treatment
Interpretation
Water Conservation Efforts Interpretation
These statistics read like the industry’s quiet survival plan: from drones that shave methane losses to near closed-loop water recycling, desalination, reinjection, and better brine handling, operators are stretching every drop and squeezing more usable value out of produced water even as volumes and freshwater demand keep rising.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Oil Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-oil-industry-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Sustainability In The Oil Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-oil-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Sustainability In The Oil Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-oil-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
83 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level