PETRONAS and its partners drive the reduction of methane emissions in Southeast Asia

PETRONAS, in collaboration with key energy sector players from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), government agencies and international organizations, today launched the ASEAN Energy Sector Methane Leadership Program 2.0 (MLP 2.0).

Under the theme “Turning capacity into action”, MLP 2.0 builds on the inaugural Methane Leadership Program (MLP) that ran from June 2023 to October 2024. It also marks the start of a collaboration between PETRONAS and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to establish the Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC).

MLP 2.0 aims to reinforce emissions reduction objectives and improve coordination between companies and governments, also supporting the Global Commitment against Methane signed by more than 150 countries, including Malaysia. Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is important as it is one of the most impactful measures that can be taken to achieve climate goals. ASEAN ministers, during the 42nd ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting, welcomed initiatives to reduce methane emissions in the region.

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In the first edition of the MLP, oil and gas producing companies in Southeast Asia have received essential knowledge and resources through workshops and masterclasses on measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification technologies and methane emissions reduction strategies. The number of members of the MLP has increased from 13 to 18 since its creation.

MLP 2.0 is also expected to streamline regional collaboration on methane emissions management technology, facilitating demonstrations by partners within and outside the region. Collaborating partners include ASCOPE, ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE), Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), JOGMEC, Methane Guiding Principles (MGP), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ( METI) of Japan, PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation Limited (PVEP), PT Pertamina (Persero), PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), World Bank, International Methane Emissions Observatory (UNEP IMEO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Department of Commerce – Trade Law Development Program (CLDP), United States Department of Energy, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and Woodside Energy.

MLP 2.0 aims to reinforce emissions reduction objectives and improve coordination between companies and governments, also supporting the Global Commitment against Methane signed by more than 150 countries

This initiative is a critical component of PETRONAS’ journey towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with its commitments to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0). Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. PETRONAS has recently achieved the OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard Pathway by 2023.

Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Assessment Center

Under MLP 2.0, PETRONAS will collaborate with JOGMEC to establish the Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Assessment Center (METEC). The center, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, will play an important role in improving of regional methane emissions management efforts by supporting experts to oversee measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification processes, as well as research and development initiatives.

METEC tiene previsto establecerse en dos lugares de Malasia: el PETRONAS Institute of Petroleum Technology (INSTEP), in Bukit Rakit (Terengganu), and la Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), in Tronoh (Perak).