ES Ranganathan urges action on India's oil & gas sector methane emissions data gap

In recent times, the global conversation on climate change has gained momentum, with a growing emphasis on addressing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Methane, the second most prevalent greenhouse gas following carbon dioxide, has played a significant role in the Earth's warming. “Its emissions account for approximately a quarter of the cumulative warming, leading to a 0.5°C increase in global temperatures, compared to carbon dioxide's contribution of 0.8°C,” mentions industry maven ES Ranganathan. In the Indian context, ES Ranganathan, former Managing Director of IGL, advocates and sounds the alarm on the data gap surrounding methane emissions in the country's oil and gas industry.

Significance of addressing methane emissions

“Methane plays a pivotal role in climate change,” opines ES Ranganathan; While carbon dioxide is the primary contributor to global warming, methane is significantly more efficient at trapping heat in the atmosphere. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), each million tonnes of emitted methane results in the loss of approximately 300 million work hours and 145 kilotonnes of crops globally. “In 2019, global methane emissions amounted to 11,000 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The oil and gas sector is a major source of methane emissions, and addressing this issue is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Methane's short atmospheric lifespan makes it a key target for immediate action to slow down the rate of global warming,” explains ES Ranganathan.

Lack of comprehensive data on India's oil & gas industry

Globally, there is a growing acknowledgment of the disparity in methane emissions estimates within the oil and gas sector, with industry emissions being undervalued by a whopping 25-40 per cent. “One of the challenges hindering effective mitigation efforts is the lack of comprehensive data on methane emissions in India's oil and gas industry,” mentions ES Ranganathan.

“India, presently the fourth-largest methane emitter worldwide, employs the Tier 1 methodology for estimating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. This particular methodology is considered the least reliable, indicating substantial inaccuracies in the emission estimates originating from the energy and industrial,” he adds. 

Without accessing accurate information, policymakers, environmentalists, and industry stakeholders face difficulties in understanding the extent of the problem and implementing targeted solutions.

Surprisingly, as per reports, in India, over 60 per cent of methane emissions stem from the agricultural sector. However, it is deemed impractical to burden the predominantly small and marginal farmers with the costs associated with methane reduction. “The apprehension about the potential threat to farmers' livelihoods has been one of the key reasons cited by India for abstaining from endorsing the global methane emissions reduction commitment,” says Ranganathan. This commitment aims to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in global methane emissions from 2020 levels by 2030, and was discussed at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.

Technological and regulatory solutions

To address the methane emissions data gap, technological and regulatory solutions are essential. A study conducted by the US-based Coalition on Materials Emissions Transparency (Comet) in July 2021 highlighted a significant factor contributing to disparities in GHG emissions estimates: the absence of a unified framework for emissions reporting across countries. “The study delineated three tiers of methodologies for emissions reporting. Tier 1, the most basic method, provides generic emission factors and is considered the least accurate. On the other hand, Tier 2 (intermediate) and Tier 3 methodologies are more intricate, offering greater precision in emissions calculations. Tier 3, representing the most rigorous protocols, involves detailed estimates substantiated by source-level monitoring of emissions,” explains Ranganathan.  This framework underscores the need for a comprehensive and standardized approach to emissions reporting globally. “Furthermore, advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite-based sensors and drone surveillance, can provide real-time data on emissions,” adds ES Ranganathan.

Addressing the methane emissions data gap in India's oil and gas sector is not just an environmental imperative but also crucial for the country's sustainable development. ES Ranganathan's call to action underscores the urgency of comprehensive data collection and the need for collaborative efforts to reduce methane emissions. As India navigates its environmental policies, stakeholders must work together to fill this crucial data gap and pave the way for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

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