Boulder-based nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute launched its Climate Action Engine last week to help oil and gas companies in Permian Basin reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing real-time data and climate intelligence to inform and evaluate decision-making. Companies participating in the project by providing data include Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Origin Energy. CAE will help companies understand how to meet emissions reduction targets collaboratively and move capital to support climate mitigation. “RMI is enabling climate solutions for the oil and gas industry that work for the benefit of the climate, companies, countries and people,” Taku Ide of RMI said.
RMI said Sept. 17 that CAE will track emissions reduction initiatives with a computer program to enable operators to prioritize initiatives that have the largest potential to reduce methane emissions. Data will come from several sources, including satellites, aerial vehicles, public and private monitoring stations, and compliance reporting. Federal government said about 28 percent of 570 million metric tons of methane emitted by U.S. into the atmosphere comes from oil and gas drilling.
Shell vice president Frits Klap said Shell has reduced flaring in Permian Basin by 80 percent since 2017, and Chevron vice president Daniel Droog said his company has reduced methane emissions in U.S. onshore production operations by 85 percent since 2013.