permian basin offers lessons on reducing methane emissions

The Permian Basin has caught the attention of several nations seeking to reduce the environmental impact of their energy production. Earlier this year, Chevron participated in the first of three planned Permian engagements, when representatives from visiting countries arrived to study best practices.

The Global Methane Pledge was formed to reduce worldwide, human-made methane emissions from 2020 levels by at least 30% by 2030.

Countries that support the pledge are looking to U.S. companies to help launch their initiatives and further drive down emissions.

Representatives from Middle Eastern and North African countries toured the region to take lessons on how companies like Chevron are seeking to reduce methane emissions.

Chevron shared its strategies with the delegations—and plans to soon do the same with the Latin American and Indo-Pacific visitors. These initiatives are meant to highlight innovative technologies like methane detection, monitoring and measurement.

Chevron is making numerous efforts to reduce the methane intensity of its Permian Basin operations. This includes:

• Working with Bridger Photonics, a methane detection company, to conduct flyovers that identify methane leaks across Chevron’s Permian operations.
• Using a sensor network to identify methane leaks through its participation in the University of Texas-led Project Astra.
• Reducing flaring in the Permian, including by use of real-time, autonomous optimizers to monitor Chevron’s unconventional facilities and well conditions.
• Having a find-and-fix strategy in place so that, if a leak is detected, a team can be deployed to inspect and repair it.

Chevron’s tour began at its Midland, Texas operations and later featured a session with some of the company’s methane experts, who were available to answer questions.

“That was beneficial because they were able to get a better understanding of what we were doing as a company as well,” said Todd Watkins, lead corporate affairs advisor. “I think it was a very successful visit.”