ExxonMobil subsidiary XTO Energy Inc. has reduced methane emissions from its operations by 9% since 2016. This shows progress in its methane emissions reduction program and other initiatives.
Of that amount, a reduction of close to 4%, or more than 7,200 metric tons of methane, was achieved through XTO’s voluntary program and other operational improvements. This reduction equates to a 2% reduction.
Through its continued efforts, XTO will contribute to ExxonMobil’s measures to reduce methane emissions across its worldwide operations by 15% by 2020.
In 2017, XTO implemented a methane management program to mitigate emissions associated with its operations. The program includes a commitment to phase out high-bleed pneumatic devices over three years, extensive personnel training, research and facility design improvements for new operations.
To date, XTO has phased out approximately two-thirds of existing high-bleed pneumatic devices across its U.S. operations. Low-emission design technologies are also being deployed in new developments, such as in the Permian Basin in west Texas and New Mexico. These technologies include improved tank emission control design and installing instrument air packages, which use compressed air instead of natural gas to actuate pneumatic controllers, at new tank batteries and compressor stations.
Through the company’s expanded leak-detection-and-repair program, progress has been made in verifying data and identifying components with high potential for leakage, and this data will be used to continue to prioritize equipment for replacement or implementation in new designs.
