Milestone Achieved: Permian Basin's Progress in Clean Energy

Photo byMark Smith

West Texas oil and natural gas companies, represented by the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) educational campaign, Texans for Natural Gas (TNG), are advocating for a cleaner energy future. The new report, "Permian Basin Producers: Charting a Cleaner Energy Future 2023," released by TNG highlights the strides made by Texas producers in reducing methane emissions through innovation and advanced technologies. This report reinforces earlier findings that revealed the Texas industry's decline in methane intensity, reaching a record low of 0.12% in 2022 despite record-high production levels.

The Permian Basin experienced a substantial reduction in methane emissions intensity by over 76% from 2011 to 2021 while witnessing a significant increase in production by more than 345%. Emissions intensity measures the amount of methane emitted or flared equivalent to a barrel of oil produced, with flaring being the process of burning natural gas to release pressure from the pipeline, thereby emitting carbon dioxide and water into the atmosphere.

Despite the challenges posed by intermittent energy sources like wind and solar, Texas aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2040. While Texas faces the need to import energy from other states during times when wind or solar power is insufficient, the Texas industry continues its efforts to ensure the lights stay on. The report highlights Texas's significant contribution to national oil and gas production, emphasizing the state's energy independence compared to other states relying on federal land for production.

Amid the federal administration's efforts to curtail fossil fuel activities, Texas has implemented policies supporting energy production, bolstered by the state's agency's proactive stance in issuing permits and enforcing safety regulations. According to TIPRO president and TNG spokesperson Ed Longanecker, the Permian Basin's success in reducing methane intensity showcases the region's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The report underscores how increased production in the Permian Basin coincided with decreased methane intensity and flaring intensity, displaying substantial environmental progress. Moreover, the Permian Basin demonstrates significantly lower flaring intensity compared to other global producers like Russia and Venezuela. The U.S. oil and natural gas industry's extensive investment in emission-mitigating technologies, including advanced analytics and surveillance tools, has facilitated significant reductions in methane emissions relative to production.

Overall, the industry's commitment to reducing emissions through innovative technologies and practices aligns with the decline of national methane emissions, indicating that energy security and emission reductions can coexist.