Executives at Mexico’s national oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) said in an earnings call Monday that work toward improving natural gas use and lowering emissions is starting to pay off.

Pemex

Pemex reported a 42% improvement in natural gas capture in the first quarter. The company was able to use 91.6% of gas produced, flaring off an average of 390 MMcf/d. This is compared to 712 MMcf/d flared in the year-ago quarter.

Executives attributed the gains to “implementing emission reduction activities,” which included the closure of wells, overhaul of compressors and rehabilitation of equipment in its gas processing centers. They said the methane reduction program was showing results less than a year after its implementation.

Natural gas production in the quarter hit 3.821...