September 8, 2021
AUSTIN—The Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition (the Coalition) today released the first edition of its Methane & Emissions Report, which details how the Texas oil and natural gas industry is working to reduce methane and other emissions to protect and preserve the environment.
Industry has made and continues to make tremendous strides in reducing methane emissions resulting from oil and natural gas operations. In fact, the percentage of natural gas flared out of all the natural gas produced in Texas decreased 72% between June 2019 and May 2021, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. During the same period, the volume of gas flared decreased by approximately 73%. In Texas, natural gas that is flared represents less than 1% of all natural gas produced, and innovation and new technologies continue to drive this number down. Beyond Texas, methane emissions from five of the largest energy-producing regions across the U.S. have fallen by nearly 70% – even as natural gas production in those regions tripled from 2011-2018.
Source: Railroad Commission of Texas
Explaining emissions sources, regulatory oversight and industry best practices and recommendations, the Coalition’s Methane & Emissions Report will be updated periodically to reflect the latest technologies, legislation and rulemaking and serve as a helpful tool for lawmakers, media and the general public to understand the latest developments on this important issue.
Coalition trade members have weighed in to comment on this announcement:
“PPROA is an active participant of the Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition which includes Texas oil and gas allied trade associations who share a goal of developing and providing information on methane and emissions. The Coalition, after months of substantial work, has prepared an extensive report offering industry best practices and analyzing the critical necessity of flaring while controlling and managing emissions to protect the environment.”
– Judy Stark, President, Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association
“PBPA members have been working aggressively to eliminate flaring as a matter of routine operations while successfully producing more hydrocarbons than ever before. Operators have also been doing so with an unparalleled health and safety record. We will continue to work with others in the regulated community to safely and responsibly develop natural resources in the Permian Basin to make America more energy and economically secure.”
– Ben Shepperd, President, Permian Basin Petroleum Association
“The oil and natural gas industry’s focus on advancing and pioneering technologies has been and will continue to be the driving force of continued environmental progress. South Texas communities are stronger than ever because of it.”
– Teddy Carter, Chair, South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable Advisory Council
“The results are clear – clean fuels produced right here in Texas are reducing emissions in the United States and abroad. With the rapid improvements documented in this report, American producers can continue to meet the nation’s demand for affordable, abundant energy.”
– Jason Modglin, President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
“In Texas, we hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to emissions, and that truly shines through in this report. The men and women who work to ensure Texans and the world have reliable, affordable energy necessary for everyday life are focused on innovations to improve our emissions footprint. Those efforts contribute directly to the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition’s work and the important progress the industry is making.”
– Ed Longanecker, President, Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association
“Initiatives like the Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition have been bold in their efforts to end routine flaring and reduce methane emissions even further, and data confirms their endeavors are successful. The oil and natural gas industry is and will continue to be the cornerstone of a cleaner, stronger, better future with lower emissions and less carbon intensity. Unmatched investment, innovation and collaboration will deliver this future with the energy needed to maintain and improve modern life.”
– Todd Staples, President, Texas Oil & Gas Association
“The oil and gas industry, including pipelines, is hard at work reducing methane emissions and the Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition’s latest report confirms this progress. Investing in domestic natural gas pipelines would help to make even more headway in reducing emissions. In fact, pipelines are the safest, most reliable and most environmentally friendly way to transport the hydrocarbons Americans rely on every single day. Expanding this critical infrastructure is the blueprint for continued environmental progress.”
– Thure Cannon, President, Texas Pipeline Association
+++
The Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition was established in December 2019 and includes seven trade associations and more than 40 Texas operators. The Coalition was formed to develop industry-led solutions designed to mitigate and reduce methane emissions and flaring. To learn more about the Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition, visit www.texasmethaneflaringcoalition.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS
PBPA: Michael Lozano, Michael@pbpa.info
PPROA: Judy Stark, pproa@pproa.org
STEER: Gretchen Fox, 512-694-4326, GFox@gfoxconsulting.com
The Texas Alliance: Chris Hosek, Chris@texasstaralliance.com
TIPRO: Kelli Snyder, 512-477-4452, KSnyder@tipro.org
TXOGA: Haley Emerson, 713-476-1172, HEmerson@txoga.org
TPA: Jeannine Wheeler, 512-517-6580, JWheeler@pureenergypr.com
