“INPEX is aiming to achieve ‘net zero (Net Zero, actual greenhouse gas emissions zero)’ by 2050. In particular, as methane regulations are strengthened globally, we are concentrating our efforts on managing methane emissions.”
Wataru Nojiri, vice president of the energy supply and marketing institutional sector of INPEX, Japan's largest energy export company, noted in an interview with Chosunbiz, “The Japanese government and corporations are well aware that methane management is key to major greenhouse gas reduction policies.” Since 2019, INPEX has established a system for identifying methane emission locations and aggregating data in Japan for so-called 'fugitive emissions' that do not adhere to international agreements or standards.
Founded in 1966, INPEX is Japan's largest oil company, headquartered in Tokyo. It is primarily engaged in natural gas and oil exploration projects in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
The following is a Q&A with him.
─ The European Union (EU) and the United States have implemented regulations restricting fossil fuel imports as major sources of methane gas from 2030. Why are methane regulations being strengthened globally?
“Because managing methane leaks is an essential part of greenhouse gas management. As a responsible energy supplier, INPEX is making efforts to lower methane emissions (emission intensity) to 0.1% of natural gas production. INPEX does not produce routine flares (the process of burning surplus gas produced during oil or gas production).”
─ In South Korea, the importance of strong monitoring and observation of methane is increasing, but there is still a long way to go. In Japan, is there a public discussion at the industry level about investment and efforts to improve methane management?
“Speaking specifically about INPEX, since November 2023, INPEX has been participating in the ‘Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0),’ continuing active discussions and cooperation on monitoring, measuring, and verifying (MRV) methane emissions. OGMP 2.0 is a global initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry with over 140 corporations from 70 countries participating. We are improving the accuracy and transparency of methane emission reduction reporting and actively sharing related technological innovation information with other members.”
─ INPEX is also proactively adopting new technologies for methane emission reduction.
“By introducing a laser methane detector in 2020, we have established a base to conduct inspections almost perfectly at nearly all points. We also plan to introduce investigational drones and OGI cameras (cameras measuring methane gas leak rates in kg/s) to achieve Level 5, the highest target of OGMP 2.0. The first drone survey is scheduled for next year, with results to be reported in 2026.”
─ Since 2022, INPEX has announced a vision for zero (0) carbon emissions.
“Specifically, we aim to achieve ‘net zero for Scope 1+2’ by 2050, meaning to bring the level of carbon emissions to zero by combining direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions (Scope 2). This includes energy development projects related to carbon neutrality, such as hydrogen, ammonia, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), renewable energy, and forest conservation.
Thanks to these efforts, INPEX was able to lower the methane emissions to 0.05% of natural gas production by 2023. For reference, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative proposed reducing upstream (resource development) institutional sector methane emission intensity to below 0.20% compared to 2017 by 2025. It's quite encouraging that INPEX reduced methane emissions to 0.05% last year.”