This week’s Highwood Bulletin covers developments in greenhouse gas emissions management from around the world, including launch of UNEP’S IMEO, a new methane performance benchmark, net zero ambitions by Chevron and TC Energy, Canada and BC to reduce O&G methane by 75% and 100%, a new $17MM funding program for alternative methane technology, Climate TRACE by RMI, several new methane reports, a new course on methane measurement technology, funding for emissions reductions, and employment opportunities with Highwood Emissions Management.
United Nations Launches International Methane Emissions Observatory
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has officially launched the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The IMEO will integrate and disseminate data from various sources, including scientific research, reporting to the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), remote sensing, and inventories. As part of its launch, IMEO released its first annual report, which includes an analysis of the first round of OGMP 2.0 reported data. Read more about IMEO here and access the report here.
A New Methane Performance Benchmark
A new methane performance benchmark has been launched by S&P Global Platts and Xpansiv that will allow methane performance certificates (MPCs) to be generated and traded by energy companies that demonstrate methane reductions. Each MPC represents 1 MMBtu of zero methane natural gas and are stored in Xpansiv’s digital registry. Certificates were assessed at $0.039/MPC on October 15. Read more here.
Chevron and TC Energy Announce Net Zero Ambitions
In an ongoing flurry of ambitious emissions reduction targets, both Chevron and TC Energy have announced intentions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. For both companies, net zero includes scope 1 and 2 emissions, but efforts are being made to address scope 3 emissions as well. Read more about Chevron here and TC Energy here.
Canada Targets 75% O&G Methane Reduction
As part of its confirmation of support for the Global Methane Pledge, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, has announced that Canada will reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75% by 2030. The new commitment presents a significant increase from the previous commitment of 40-45% by 2030, which was set in 2016. Read more here.
British Columbia to Eliminate O&G Methane
Alberta Launches $17MM Methane Technology Program
The Government of Alberta has launched a new $17 million funding program called the Alberta Methane Emissions Program (AMEP). The funds will be used to finance deployments of alternative methane monitoring technologies, build a new methane database, and fund technology trials. The funding will be delivered by Carbon Management Canada and the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group. Expressions are now open and close on December 15th. Learn more here.
Highwood’s Leadership Nominated for Rising Stars Award
Highwood’s Jessica Shumlich (CEO) and Thomas Fox (President) have been nominated for the Daily Oil Bulletin’s Rising Stars program, which celebrates young leaders who are pushing Canada’s energy sector forward. Learn more here.
Resource: Climate TRACE by RMI
The Rocky Mountain Institute has launched a new program called Climate TRACE, the world’s first publicly available global carbon inventory. Climate TRACE uses remote sensing and artificial intelligence to track and show greenhouse gas emissions around the world and across all major sectors. Read more here and explore TRACE here.
Report: International Energy Forum Methane Initiative
A new report has been published by the International Energy Forum and Kayrros called Methane Mitigation in the Energy Sector: New Methodology and Opportunities. The report promotes and explores the use of satellites for monitoring global methane emissions to enable greater transparency and methane reductions. Learn more and access the report here.
Report: Redesigning EPA methane Regulations
A new report by Dr. Robert Kleinberg of the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy examines opportunities to improve the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s methane rule. The report comes ahead of an imminent set of draft methane rules for the U.S. The report argues that the EPA should move away from prescriptive policies and towards an outcome-based approach. Access the report here.
Report: Reducing Oilfield Methane Emissions
A new report by TRP Energy – with support from the Environmental Defense Fund – provides learnings and context for how to reduce oilfield methane emissions using technology, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement. The report shares learnings from TRP’s recent pilot of emerging methane measurement technologies. Access the report here.
Education: Methane Measurement Technology Course
A new course by Highwood’s President Thomas Fox will launch on January 11th 2022. The course will overview the current state of methane measurement, giving participants the ability to clearly understand the value of different approaches for detecting and quantifying methane emissions. Click here to learn more and register for the course.
Funding Opportunity: Round 3 of NRCan’s $675MM ERF is here!
NRCan has opened a third round of the Emissions Reduction Fund. If you have an emissions reduction project or are looking for potential projects to reduce your emissions, funding is available. Reach out to Highwood to chat through project options, eligibility, or even to perform a comprehensive analysis of what projects fit your particular site needs. Learn more here.
Join our Team! Highwood is Hiring!
We are currently hiring a Junior Software Developer. In addition, Highwood is always looking for bright folks who want to help us change the world for the better. If you have experience in greenhouse gas emissions management and you’re looking for a career change, please reach out!
