Methane emissions: Another Gold for reporting

• Third year in a row: Highest standard for transparent and comprehensible reporting
• International leak detection and repair (LDAR) campaign is supplying data

For the third year in a row, Wintershall Dea has been awarded the gold standard by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its engagement and pathway to reducing methane emissions. “We aim to produce gas and oil as cleanly and safely as possible – and only for as long as we need it, too,” says Mario Mehren, CEO of Wintershall Dea. “Part of these efforts is to continue reducing methane emissions, and we can do this best if we have reliable data.”

In its annual International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) report, the UNEP publishes the data and progress of the participating companies related to methane emissions in a transparent and comprehensible manner. The data and progress are assessed in accordance with the stringent OGMP 2.0 regulations. Initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) assists companies in their efforts to reduce methane emissions and currently represents the highest standard for methane reporting. Today’s members include the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the European Commission and more than 100 companies from the gas and oil industry.

LDAR in Germany, Egypt and Mexico

Wintershall Dea has been systematically pursuing leak detection and repair (LDAR) efforts since 2021 – especially at production facilities in Germany, Egypt, Algeria and Mexico. Drones with sensors are also being used to take measurements at the production sites from the air so as to verify the data obtained by the LDAR programmes at the ground level. The company is working closely with partners and operators to measure and reduce methane emissions in partner-operated plants, to reduce flaring and to boost energy efficiency. 

The recently published IMEO 2023 Report provides the latest data from the industry and OGMP 2.0 member companies, including analyses.
The report places particular emphasis on the transition from generic estimation methods to empirical measurements of emissions, which will enable companies to organise their mitigation efforts in a more strategic and efficient manner. You can download the IMEO 2023 report here.

In addition to OGMP 2.0, Wintershall Dea is also involved in the following voluntary initiatives aimed at reducing emissions: IPIECA (global oil and gas association for advancing environmental and social performance across the energy transition), Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions of the OGCI (Oil and Gas Climate Initiative), the Zero Routine Flaring initiative (World Bank), and the MGP (Methane Guiding Principles).