Eni #MethaneReport 2024: our journey to near-zero methane emissions

Welcome to “Energy of Today & Tomorrow”: your go-to guide to the challenges and opportunities in the energy world.

In this issue, we dive into our first-ever Methane Report, exploring the crucial role of methane management to enable reductions across the energy sector.

Natural gas: a key player in the energy transition

Natural gas, with its affordability, reliability and lower carbon content compared to other fossil fuels, is a pivotal element in the journey to the energy transition by 2050. It also plays a vital part in strengthening energy security by ensuring a stable supply, particularly as global markets become more interconnected through advancements like LNG. To fully harness its potential, however, it’s essential to address leakage across the value chain of its main component: methane.

The methane challenge 

Methane emissions have been responsible for around 30% of global temperature increases since the Industrial Revolution and making swift and sustainable reductions is essential to limit near-term warming. The energy sector, accountable for over a third of emissions from human activities, is central to tackling this challenge. 

10 years of Eni’s commitment to methane management 

During IEA-COP29, we unveiled the Methane Report 2024, our first dedicated publication that reaffirms our commitment to transparency and highlights the critical role of methane reduction in the Oil & Gas sector as part of the global effort against climate change. The standalone report outlines a journey that began over a decade ago, focusing on our initiatives, achievements and collaborations to reduce methane emissions across our operations and set industry-wide best practices.  

The journey 

• From 2018 to 2023, we reduced direct methane emissions by more than 50%. 

• With an upstream intensity of 0.06%, we stand among the industry leaders. 

• From 2014 to 2023, we reduced fugitive methane emissions by 95% and lowered upstream methane intensity by 86%. 

• Between 2022-2023, methane emissions in our upstream operations dropped by 20%. 

• In 2022, we earned the OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard Pathway for reporting. 

Our ultimate target? Near-zero methane emissions by 2030. 

The collaborations

As a founding member of the UNEP Oil & Gas Methane Partnership, the OGCI (Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) and the Methane Guiding Principles, and through our collaborations with international organisations, non-profits, academia and industry associations, we actively contribute to global efforts for better methane management by setting standards for monitoring, reporting and emissions reduction.

Plus, through our collaboration agreements with National Oil Companies like Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) , Sonatrach and SOCAR Türkiye , we share our expertise in methane management, supporting wider reductions across the industry.

The technology

We leverage cutting-edge technologies for methane detection, including optical systems that measure its light absorption properties, providing precise data on emission flow rates. Our focus on innovation means continuously testing new technologies and collaborating with external partners to bridge the gap between operational needs and market solutions, ensuring ongoing improvements in methane management.

“Our strong focus on methane emissions abatement, coupled with the application of new technologies, has positioned Eni as an industry leader and significantly reduced our methane emissions over the past decade.”

Claudio Descalzi , Eni CEO

Discover the full Methane Report 2024.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights in our next issue of “Energy of Today & Tomorrow.”