Shell Sets New Standards in Methane Emissions with MiQ Certification in Gulf of America

Shell Achieves MiQ Certification for Gulf of America Production Portfolio

In a significant advancement in environmental responsibility, MiQ, a global leader in the certification of methane emissions, has confirmed that Shell Offshore Inc. has become the first operator in the Gulf of America (GoA) to receive a Grade A certification across its entire production portfolio. This certification recognizes Shell’s efforts in achieving exemplary methane emissions performance, setting a new benchmark in the oil and gas industry.

Overview of Certification Process

To attain this prestigious certification, all ten of Shell’s production assets in the Gulf of America successfully underwent rigorous third-party audits in compliance with MiQ's established methane emissions standards. The assessment highlighted Shell’s commitment to maintaining a low methane intensity alongside the implementation of robust practices and monitoring programs aimed at identifying and mitigating emissions. This achievement is indicative of Shell's operational prowess in creating an environmentally responsible production framework that prioritizes emissions reduction.

MiQ operates as a not-for-profit entity focused on imparting credible methane emissions data within the oil and gas sector. Its mission aims to drive the reduction of methane emissions across the globe without commercial interests tied to the outcomes of any certification. All operators collaborating with MiQ are required to engage independent auditors for annual assessments, ensuring a rigorous, field-based evaluation of natural gas production aligned with the MiQ Standard.

A Step Forward for Methane Emissions Transparency

This certification not only marks a significant milestone for Shell but is also a pioneering moment for MiQ, as it extends its certification framework to include emissions derived from offshore crude oil production. Through this accomplishment, Shell showcases its leadership in the industry, with its commitment to monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions more effectively than ever before.

Shell Offshore stands out as a leading operator in the GoA, renowned for having one of the lowest greenhouse gas intensities associated with oil production on a global scale. Impressively, from 2016 to 2025, the company has achieved a remarkable 40% reduction in methane emissions even while simultaneously boosting production by 40%. This is a notable achievement that reflects Shell’s dedication to achieving a sustainable balance between energy production and environmental stewardship.

Globally, Shell is also recognized as a founding member of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, earning the Gold Standard for its operations in the most recent reporting year of 2024. This accolade further cements Shell's pledge to enhancing methane emissions transparency in the oil and gas sector.

The Broader Impact of MiQ Certification

Currently, MiQ certifies over 30% of the United States’ natural gas production, representing more than 7% of the global gas supply. Its certification framework is being actively utilized across various regions, including the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, and the EU, engaging governments, regulators, and producers to promote transparency around methane emissions - a critical step in combating climate change.

Georges Tijbosch, CEO of MiQ, emphasizes that Shell's recent certification within the Gulf of America is another significant step toward enhancing transparency in methane emissions. He underscores how such advancements prepare operators for an evolving landscape where trustworthy emissions data is not only vital for regulatory compliance but also crucial for accessing markets. The MiQ certification system offers a validated means of substantially reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by providing reliable emissions data.

Furthermore, Mahamat Abdelsalam, Shell's Vice President for Safety and Environment in the Gulf of America, echoed these sentiments, stating, “This Grade A certification is a testimony to our commitment to operational excellence and our disciplined execution in offshore settings. Our goal remains to design and operate our assets so that we can competitively produce more while reducing the carbon intensity of our output.”

This landmark certification serves as both a promise for operational improvement within the industry and a beacon for future initiatives aimed at addressing climate change - a critical issue that demands our collective action.

Conclusion

The certification of Shell's Gulf of America production underscores the importance of environmental accountability within the energy sector. This pioneering step not only positions Shell as a leader in responsible production practices but also sets a benchmark for other operators to follow in their journey towards sustainability, marking an essential chapter in the collective effort to reduce methane emissions worldwide.