MiQ Methane Emissions Auditing and Certification

Methane Emissions Certification - transparency, credibility, and independence

Methane emissions (CH4) from oil & gas production are a significant contributor to climate change. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a very potent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) with a short-term climate impact over 80 times that of carbon dioxide (IPCC AR6). Methane is emitted throughout both the oil and natural gas supply chains.

As companies search for ways to curb emissions, they also need trusted and consistent emission certification standards by which to measure emissions and benchmark against peers. A leading methane emissions certification standard, MiQ creates incentives for the reduction of methane emissions across the oil and gas sector by delivering a thriving market for independently certified gas.

The MiQ Standard for Methane Emissions Performance addresses methane emissions from the production of natural gas (incl. associated gas production), combining several Standard elements.

Intertek, an accredited MiQ Auditor for the Onshore and Offshore Production Standards, helps ensure the transparency, credibility, and independence of methane emissions certification. Auditors evaluate a production facility using the criteria outlined below to provide an MiQ grade. The grade allows producers to differentiate their natural gas in the market while incentivizing continuous improvement in methane emissions monitoring and abatement.

Calculated methane intensity
Producer policies and procedures focused on methane emissions prevention, detection, and abatement
Detection and mitigation of methane emissions through monitoring technology deployment

Intertek Metoc’s multi-disciplinary teams include experienced consultants, verifiers, auditors, scientists and engineers ensuring the necessary blend of skills and expertise underpins our audit assignments. On engagement, our team will complete an initial data gathering exercise including facility design parameters, emission sources, monitoring and abatement, and company practices. This will be followed by an on-site audit to coincide with the lead detection and repair (LDAR) survey of the facility, where the auditor will interview technical and managerial staff. A summary report including the calculated methane intensity of the facility, the recommended MiQ grade, plus any recommendations for continuous improvement by the producer, will be prepared.