Three of the largest Lower 48 producers have joined worldwide oil and gas peers in pledging to improve methane emissions reporting and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

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ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy Corp. and Pioneer Natural Resources Co. announced Thursday they were becoming members of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 Initiative. The OGMP standard provides a roadmap for industry to set and reach net-zero emissions goals by 2050. 

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, is an important priority for ConocoPhillips,” said CEO Ryan Lance, who oversees the world’s largest exploration and production company. “We believe that applying the rigorous OGMP 2.0 reporting standard across our global assets will be a vital step on our path to net-zero operational emissions by mid-century.”

Initially formed in 2020 by 62 oil and natural gas operators, including BP plc and Shell plc,, the OGMP mission is to improve industry transparency in methane emissions reporting and encourage progress to reduce the GHG pollution. 

Since its formation, more than 80 companies, with assets on five continents, have joined the group. Members together represent more than 30% of the world’s oil and gas production, 20%-plus of natural gas transmission/distribution pipelines, 10% of storage capacity and nearly 15% of the liquefied natural gas terminals.

“Deployment of advanced methane detection technology and enhanced transparency are key components to Devon’s broader emission reduction strategy, including our aim to achieve net zero GHG emissions for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2050,” said CEO Rick Muncrief. “We believe that collaboration and collective efforts are needed to advance meaningful change at a fast pace…”

Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield said, “Given that we operate in one of the largest oil producing basins in the world, enabling the reduction of methane emissions by utilizing accurate and transparent reporting is imperative for Pioneer as well as other large producers in the Permian Basin.”

The voluntary, public-private partnership is between the companies, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the European Commission and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The reporting framework is designed to provide stakeholders with assurance that GHG is being managed responsibly by the companies.

“With Pioneer, Devon and ConocoPhillips joining OGMP 2.0, we have significantly increased the participation of U.S.-based companies,” said UNEP’s Giulia Ferrini, who manages the program. “We hope their membership encourages others to join this global effort aimed at improving methane emissions measurement and transparency,” which supports the goals of the voluntary UN climate accord in 2015.

“We’re glad to see these companies take a leadership role in advancing methane measurement and disclosure,” said Ceres’ Andrew Logan, senior director of oil and gas. Ceres is a nonprofit that works with business on sustainability goals. 

“Oil and gas companies must be accountable for their methane emissions, which not only carry an outsized and avoidable climate impact, but also represent needlessly lost product, an obvious concern for any prudent shareholder,” Logan said.

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EDF’s Mark Brownstein, senior vice president for Energy, said, “All eyes today are on the oil and gas industry. Stakeholders are demanding real, robust emissions data that they can trust. Cutting methane emissions is the simplest, fastest way to help meet our energy and climate goals, even as the world moves forward on long-term decarbonization. 

“Solutions exist for companies to cut emissions quickly and cost effectively. OGMP provides a comprehensive and transparent framework to see and compare their results.”