Eni pushes for cutting emissions in its first methane report

Italian oil and gas company Eni has released its inaugural Methane Report 2024, emphasizing the critical importance of reducing methane emissions, the second most impactful greenhouse gas (GHG) in the oil and gas sector. The report was unveiled at the IEA-COP29 High-Level Event on Methane Pledges in New York.

Eni recognizes natural gas as a key component of the energy transition, citing its cost-effectiveness, reliability, and lower carbon footprint compared to other fossil fuels. However, the company stresses the global need to eliminate methane leaks in the natural gas value chain—a cause Eni has supported for over a decade.

Claudio Descalzi, Eni’s CEO, noted the company’s leadership in methane emissions abatement, achieved through new technologies and adherence to international guidelines like the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. Eni’s use of advanced technologies, which measure methane emissions using infrared light absorption and local weather data, has led to a significant reduction in methane emissions—more than 50% between 2018 and 2023.

In 2023 alone, methane emissions in Eni’s upstream operations were reduced by 20%. With upstream methane intensity at 0.06%, Eni stands among the leaders in the sector. The company has agreements with other major oil firms to share best practices, with the aim of achieving near-zero methane emissions by 2030.

Descalzi added that Eni is keen to extend its learnings across the supply chain to drive methane reductions throughout the oil and gas industry.