Shell Achieves Grade A Certification for Methane Emissions in Gulf of America
In a significant advancement for environmental accountability in the oil and gas sector, MiQ, a leading global organization dedicated to methane emissions certification, has announced the successful certification of Shell Offshore Inc. This recent achievement sees Shell becoming the first operator in the Gulf of America (GoA) to receive the coveted MiQ certification at Grade A, which is the highest rating for methane emissions management.
MiQ's certification process involves rigorous third-party audits, aligning with the organization's stringent methane emissions standards. Shell's entire production portfolio in GoA—comprising ten operational assets—has demonstrated a commendable record of low methane intensity and robust methane monitoring practices. These practices are not only designed to minimize environmental impact but also to ensure that emissions are detected and mitigated effectively.
As a nonprofit entity, MiQ's mission is to supply independent and credible data regarding methane emissions within the oil and gas industry. The organization's framework promotes evidence-based improvements while fostering compliance with regulatory standards. Operators who collaborate with MiQ are required to engage auditors for comprehensive annual evaluations of their production facilities, ensuring adherence to the MiQ protocol.
The certification also represents a pioneering effort by MiQ as it extends its credibility to offshore crude oil production, marking a first in the industry. Shell is now recognized as the inaugural international energy player whose offshore crude oil production has received MiQ's independent certification. This accolade equips Shell with practical insights into methane emissions monitoring, reporting, and verification—an essential process as the industry shifts towards more environmentally-friendly practices.
Notably, Shell operates in an area where it maintains one of the lowest greenhouse gas intensities for oil production globally. The company has made remarkable strides in reducing methane emissions, achieving a 40% decrease from 2016 to 2025, while concurrently increasing its production by the same percentage.
Furthermore, Shell is a founding signatory of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) and has recently achieved Gold Standard certification for its worldwide operations in the latest report cycle ending in 2024. Currently, MiQ certifies over 30% of the natural gas production within the United States and accounts for over 7% of the global gas supply.
MiQ's certification framework operates across various regions, including the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, and the EU, wherein it partners with governments, regulators, and operators to enhance transparency around methane emissions in critical producing and importing markets.
Georges Tijbosch, CEO of MiQ, remarked on the importance of Shell's certification: "The certification of Shell in the Gulf of America marks a pivotal milestone for methane emissions transparency and illustrates how companies can proactively prepare for a future where credible emissions data is crucial for regulatory compliance and market access. The MiQ certification system has proven to be an effective solution for rapidly mitigating methane emissions from oil and gas, providing reliable data on emissions."
Shell’s Vice President of Safety and Environment for the Gulf of America, Mahamat Abdelsalam, emphasized, "This A-grade certification reflects our operational excellence and commitment to executing offshore operations rigorously. We continue to design and operate our assets to produce competitively while ensuring lower carbon intensity."
In summary, the certification of Shell's operations by MiQ not only highlights the significance of transparency in managing methane emissions but also sets a benchmark for other operators within the oil and gas sector, encouraging a collective push towards sustainability. With Shell leading the charge, the industry may shift closer to achieving a more responsible environmental footprint while balancing production demand.
MiQ's certification process involves rigorous third-party audits, aligning with the organization's stringent methane emissions standards. Shell's entire production portfolio in GoA—comprising ten operational assets—has demonstrated a commendable record of low methane intensity and robust methane monitoring practices. These practices are not only designed to minimize environmental impact but also to ensure that emissions are detected and mitigated effectively.
As a nonprofit entity, MiQ's mission is to supply independent and credible data regarding methane emissions within the oil and gas industry. The organization's framework promotes evidence-based improvements while fostering compliance with regulatory standards. Operators who collaborate with MiQ are required to engage auditors for comprehensive annual evaluations of their production facilities, ensuring adherence to the MiQ protocol.
The certification also represents a pioneering effort by MiQ as it extends its credibility to offshore crude oil production, marking a first in the industry. Shell is now recognized as the inaugural international energy player whose offshore crude oil production has received MiQ's independent certification. This accolade equips Shell with practical insights into methane emissions monitoring, reporting, and verification—an essential process as the industry shifts towards more environmentally-friendly practices.
Notably, Shell operates in an area where it maintains one of the lowest greenhouse gas intensities for oil production globally. The company has made remarkable strides in reducing methane emissions, achieving a 40% decrease from 2016 to 2025, while concurrently increasing its production by the same percentage.
Furthermore, Shell is a founding signatory of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) and has recently achieved Gold Standard certification for its worldwide operations in the latest report cycle ending in 2024. Currently, MiQ certifies over 30% of the natural gas production within the United States and accounts for over 7% of the global gas supply.
MiQ's certification framework operates across various regions, including the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, and the EU, wherein it partners with governments, regulators, and operators to enhance transparency around methane emissions in critical producing and importing markets.
Georges Tijbosch, CEO of MiQ, remarked on the importance of Shell's certification: "The certification of Shell in the Gulf of America marks a pivotal milestone for methane emissions transparency and illustrates how companies can proactively prepare for a future where credible emissions data is crucial for regulatory compliance and market access. The MiQ certification system has proven to be an effective solution for rapidly mitigating methane emissions from oil and gas, providing reliable data on emissions."
Shell’s Vice President of Safety and Environment for the Gulf of America, Mahamat Abdelsalam, emphasized, "This A-grade certification reflects our operational excellence and commitment to executing offshore operations rigorously. We continue to design and operate our assets to produce competitively while ensuring lower carbon intensity."
In summary, the certification of Shell's operations by MiQ not only highlights the significance of transparency in managing methane emissions but also sets a benchmark for other operators within the oil and gas sector, encouraging a collective push towards sustainability. With Shell leading the charge, the industry may shift closer to achieving a more responsible environmental footprint while balancing production demand.
Topics Energy）
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