Natural gas as eficient biofuel in the transition

Our Exploration and Production portfolio reflects this position, with one of the highest percentages of gas over oil in the industry. Minimizing methane emissions to the atmosphere is essential as it ensures the advantages of natural gas as a low-carbon source of energy, which is fundamental for the energy transition.

We see natural gas as the most efficient solution to bring about a structured transition to a low-emissions future. Among its advantages are:

Our objective: Reduce methane intensity

Natural gas is a key element in the energy transition, which is why we have taken on the objective of achieving a methane emissions intensity of our operated assets of 0.2% by 2025, a value recognized as near-zero by relevant shareholders for the O&G sector and which also coincides with the new target announced by the OGCI (Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) of which Repsol is a member. Achieving this goal is mainly based on three lines of action:

• Implementing more precise technologies for emissions detection and quantification
  
• Identifying and applying technological opportunities for emissions reduction.
  
• Transition to a lower-emissions portfolio.
  

Supporting regulations aimed at reducing methane gas emissions

• We are committed to reducing methane emissions from our operations, and we support the role that methane-specific regulation can play in achieving this, along with voluntary efforts such as our goal to reduce the methane emissions in our operated exploration and production assets to achieve a methane intensity of 0.2% by 2025.
• Our investments in technological innovation, through our Corporate Venturing fund and OGCI-CI (Oil & Gas Climate Initiative – Climate Investments), will also help to improve our capability to reduce emissions over time. Learn about our investments in this area.
• Our ambition is to proactively engage with other players in the gas value chain, including joint venture partners in the gas production and transportation sector, to encourage them to commit to comparable efforts.

EU Methane Strategy

Convinced of the importance of the role that regulation can play achieving real reductions, in May 2020 Repsol, together with other companies and environmental and policy organizations, proposed a set of policy recommendations to the European Commission aimed at driving the reduction of methane emissions ahead the EU Methane Strategy.

After the publication of the EU methane strategy in October 2020, a group of companies including Repsol and organizations working together under Methane Guiding Principles (MGP) umbrella, developed five sets of detailed recommendations to support timely European Union legislation in order to achieve ambitious methane emissions reduction outcomes across the supply chain of natural gas consumed in the EU.

The recommendations claim for a robust Monitoring Reporting & Verification system, building on OGMP 2.0 methodology (Repsol is already a signatory), the need to address fugitives emissions through detection and repair, and requirements to limit methane emissions from flaring and venting. They also see the biogas as a key opportunity for the decarbonization of the EU gas system, along with other low-carbon and renewable gases. The scope of the Strategy includes domestic gas and imports, this is why we recommend setting targets to achieve real reductions and offer support to the EU to lead a diplomatic outreach campaign seeking for rules and regulations that create a global level playing field and greater transparency across the gas supply chain.