Greenhouse gas emissions
When used in place of coal for power, natural
gas can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by
about half. However, questions have been raised
about the greenhouse gas emissions associated
with the life cycle of natural gas, particularly
emissions of methane, which traps more heat
than carbon dioxide, during development,
production and transportation to market.
We have inventoried and managed methane
and hydrocarbon emissions from our US onshore
natural gas operations for more than a decade
and, based on our experience, we believe that
some studies overestimate methane emissions
from the natural gas supply chain, particularly
from the development and production of
shale gas.
We aim to minimize air pollutant and greenhouse
gas emissions by using responsible practices at
our operating sites. For example, at our drilling
sites in the US we use a process called green
completions, whenever possible, to manage
methane emissions associated with well
completions following hydraulic fracturing.
This process recovers natural gas for sale and
minimizes the amount of natural gas either flared
or vented from our wells.