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

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