ExxonMobil to reduce methane emissions from operations across US

ExxonMobil has rolled out an expanded programme to cut methane gas emissions from its shale oil and gas operations in the US.

The move is an extension of the company’s commitment to reduce emissions and will focus on its production and midstream facilities across the country.

Under the programme, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary XTO Energy will develop and deploy new technologies to detect and keep emissions from its facilities under check.

XTO president Sara Ortwein said: “We are implementing an enhanced leak detection and repair programme across our production and midstream sites to continually reduce methane emissions, and are also evaluating opportunities to upgrade facilities and improve efficiency at both current and future sites.

“Our comprehensive initiative is underscored by a technology research and testing effort, and includes personnel training, equipment phase out and facility design improvements.”

The company aims to phase out high-bleed pneumatic devices over three years, in addition to engaging in personnel training, research, and facility design enhancements in respect of new operations.

XTO recently completed a pilot project in the Midland Basin in order to test new low-emission designs based on compressed air instead of natural gas to operate pneumatic equipment.

Following the pilot project, the company hopes to replicate the use of similar designs for new and existing central tank batteries and satellites to curb methane emissions.

XTO also conducted research with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company and third-party equipment manufacturers to develop more efficient equipment to detect, quantify and reduce emissions at production sites.

Earlier this year, ExxonMobil studied the use of aircraft-mounted leak detection surveys to guide equipment repair, as well as continue to assess the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and ground-based technologies to refine its methane monitoring.