India Energy Week 2024: TotalEnergies shares cutting-edge methane detection tech with ONGC

In a significant development at India Energy Week 2024, TotalEnergies and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have inked a Cooperation Agreement that aims to revolutionize methane emissions detection and reduction in India. The collaboration will leverage TotalEnergies’ pioneering AUSEA (Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications) technology, underscoring both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability and the global decarbonization agenda.

The agreement, signed by Dr. Sangkaran Ratnam, Country Chair of TotalEnergies in India, and Sushma Rawat, Director (Exploration) of ONGC, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change. As the world grapples with rising global uncertainties and the urgent need for operational continuity, this partnership is a testament to the oil and gas industry’s proactive steps towards a sustainable future.

ONGC’s initiative to invite international technology partners reflects its dedication to reducing methane emissions by 2030. TotalEnergies’ decision to share its AUSEA technology aligns with the industry-wide goal to pivot towards zero methane emissions by the same year. Both companies are signatories to the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), a global industry initiative launched at COP28, highlighting their collective commitment to this cause.

ONGC Adopts TotalEnergies’ AUSEA Technology in Bold Move to Achieve Zero Methane Emissions by 2030

Mounted on drones, the AUSEA gas analyzer represents a significant technological advancement over traditional methane detection methods. Its dual sensor can accurately detect methane and carbon dioxide emissions and pinpoint their source. This capability is crucial for accessing hard-to-reach emission points across various industrial facilities, making AUSEA a cornerstone in the industry’s efforts to combat methane emissions effectively.

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the oil and gas industry’s priority to slash methane emissions from operations. The collaboration with ONGC signifies a shared ambition to achieve zero methane emissions, demonstrating a significant stride towards environmental stewardship.

Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of ONGC, echoed this sentiment, outlining ONGC’s ambitious targets to reduce its methane emissions significantly by 2027 and 2030. The introduction of AUSEA technology is a critical component of ONGC’s strategy to reach zero methane emissions by 2038, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

TotalEnergies has demonstrated its leadership in reducing methane emissions, having halved its methane emissions from operated sites between 2010 and 2020. The company has set even more ambitious targets for the coming years, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2025 and an 80% reduction by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. TotalEnergies’ commitment to promoting the United Nations Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0) framework further underscores its dedication to environmental sustainability.

This landmark cooperation between TotalEnergies and ONGC at India Energy Week 2024 not only sets a new standard for the industry’s approach to methane emissions reduction but also serves as a beacon of hope for achieving global environmental goals. As these two giants unite their efforts, the path towards a more sustainable and responsible energy sector becomes increasingly clear.