Methane Emissions Intensity
Methane emissions intensity is a ratio that compares methane emissions output relative to a unit of business activity, such as—production output. It’s commonly expressed as kilograms or metric tons of methane emitted per barrel of oil equivalent (kg CH₄/BOE or t CH₄/BOE) or kilograms of methane per thousand cubic feet of natural gas produced (kg CH4/Mcf). It can also be expressed as a percentage of natural gas that is emitted relative to the gas throughput.
This metric is widely used by oil and gas operators to benchmark and track environmental performance, support ESG disclosures, and demonstrate progress on sustainability targets.
Why Methane Emissions Intensity Matters
Methane emissions intensity tracks how effectively operators minimize methane releases relative to production or throughput. By normalizing emissions in this way, oil and gas operators can:
- Compare emissions performance across assets, peers, or time periods
- Set and track sustainability goals
- Support investor-grade ESG disclosures
- Prioritize emissions reduction where it matters most
- Meet regulatory and voluntary reporting frameworks
Whether used internally or reported publicly, intensity metrics help translate raw emissions data into meaningful and comparable performance insights.
How Methane Emissions Intensity Works (Brief Technical)
To calculate methane emissions intensity, divide total methane emissions by a relevant unit of output—typically barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) or thousand cubic feet of natural gas (Mcf).
The formula looks like this:
Methane Emissions Intensity = Total Methane Emissions / Total Output
Units may vary depending on the sector or reporting standard, but the goal is the same: normalize emissions to enable comparison and accountability.
Operators often use aerial data (like Bridger’s quantified methane emission rates) to feed into these calculations at the site or basin level.
Key Applications in Oil and Gas
- Establishing comparable units for benchmarking and tracking methane performance across assets or operators
- Setting and monitoring ESG or low emissions intensity targets
- Reporting under OGMP 2.0, MiQ, ONE Future, or other coalitions or frameworks
- Identifying high-emissions operations relative to output
- Tracking progress over time and demonstrating reductions
Related: Methane Emission Rate, Methane Quantification, ESG Reporting, OGMP 2.0, Aerial Methane Detection
FAQs
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How is methane emissions intensity different from total emissions?
Total emissions measure volume alone. Methane emissions intensity is a normalized metric that shows how much is emitted per unit of production, giving better insight into operational efficiency and environmental performance in a comparable way.
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What’s a good methane emissions intensity value?
It depends on the operator’s asset mix, geography, and processes. The key is consistent tracking and year-over-year improvement.
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What are common ways emissions intensity is used?
While not always required, intensity metrics are common in voluntary emissions reporting programs like OGMP 2.0 and Veritas, and natural gas certification programs like MiQ. Intensity metrics are increasingly valued by investors as key indicators of ESG performance.
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Can aerial data support intensity reporting?
Yes. Quantified methane emissions from systems like Bridger’s Gas Mapping LiDAR® provide accurate, measurement-based input for emissions intensity calculations.
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