Energy Tomorrow Blog
Providing Leadership on Climate Reporting
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Mark Green
Posted April 14, 2021
Timely, accurate reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – by our industry and all emitting sectors of the economy – is critically important for our country’s efforts to address the risks of climate change. That’s why enhancing the consistency and comparability of our industry’s GHG reporting is one of the main elements of the Climate Framework action plan API unveiled last month.
As the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) increases its focus on climate and ESG (environmental, social, governance) reporting, let’s just say that the natural gas and oil industry is on it. Not only do we see the value of reporting to stakeholders and the importance of accurate, transparent GHG reporting in developing sound, we want to drive it.
Indeed, industry is well-positioned to be a reporting leader; we’re not newcomers to it.
API's First Agreement With African Partner Extends Safety, Protection Programs to Continent
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John D. Siciliano
Posted April 5, 2021
API took an important step to extending its safety and environmental protection programs to the continent of Africa, signing a new collaborative agreement with the business group African Energy Chamber (AEC), to expand use of API world-class standards, certifications and training programs.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the AEC – API’s first agreement with an African partner – is the latest in a series of similar agreements in the past year between API and organizations in nearly every region of the world. Such agreements arise from the global recognition API standards have earned for enhancing safety, efficiency and environmental protection across the natural gas and oil industry.
Celebrating Leadership, Resilience this Women’s History Month
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Olivia Culver
Posted March 10, 2021
Every March, Women’s History Month celebrates the countless women who have changed the course of history through social movements and technological innovations. In the natural gas and oil space, women scientists, educators and other leaders have pioneered advancements that have helped drive economic growth, increased energy security and furthered environmental progress.
For example, the late MIT Professor Mildred Dresselhaus – dubbed the “Queen of Carbon Science” – was renowned for her work in carbon-nanotechnology, which has since improved the industry’s exploration and oil recovery operations.
Today, women play key roles across the industry, empowering their colleagues and preparing for a better, brighter energy future. During remarks at CERAWeek’s Women in Energy Reception, Amanda Eversole, API executive vice president and chief operating officer, highlighted the forward-looking, problem-solving approach women have brought to industry.
New API Energy Excellence Program Increases Industry Focus on Performance
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Debra Phillips
Posted February 9, 2021
Setting a high bar for industry safety and operational performance isn’t new for API. For nearly a century, API has led the way in developing standards that establish how natural gas and oil and the products made from them will be safely produced and delivered to consumers – including the operations themselves, from equipment and machinery to transportation and distribution systems.
That’s the foundation for launching the new API Energy Excellence initiative – which specifies what top performance means for safety and environmental protection, as well as security and safeguarding communities. Importantly, it also sets the expectation that every API member applies the program’s 13 core elements to accelerate safety and environmental progress in the natural gas and oil industry.
API Advances Safety and Environmental Performance through Global Collaboration
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Alexa Burr
Posted February 4, 2021
API’s new collaborative agreement with Azerbaijan’s national oil company is the latest in a series of partnerships to extend the safety and environmental benefits of our best-in-class industry standards globally.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is the 10th MOU signed with an international institution in the past two years, extending the international network of government agencies and industry groups across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
The result is a wider international focus and alignment on modern standards and operational technologies designed to help the natural gas and oil industry operate safely and sustainably– for workers, communities and the environment.
Industry Reporting Guidance Improves Sustainability Performance
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Sam Winstel
Posted November 6, 2020
The natural gas and oil industry has advanced sector-wide guidance for sustainability reporting for over fifteen years, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to energy and environmental progress.
Earlier this year, three international natural gas and oil industry associations – API, IPIECA and IOGP – released an updated version of the “Sustainability Reporting Guidance for the Oil and Gas Industry,” which provides a common framework for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
In September, IPIECA released the results of its annual reporting survey, identifying widely used performance indicators and emerging trends. The findings, which include answers from 27 of the world’s largest energy companies, highlight the progress of industry leaders and partner organizations.
DOE Report Shows There's Much to Lose With Bad Energy Policies
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Mark Green
Posted October 8, 2020
The stakes in bad energy policy proposals – to ban new natural gas and oil leasing on federal lands and waters and/or fracking – are underscored in a new U.S. Department of Energy report that details the economic and security benefits of robust domestic energy development. ...
Much of the DOE report reinforces what we’ve been saying, that misguided proposals to effectively end new natural gas and oil production in areas under federal control – including in the Gulf of Mexico – and/or to ban fracking, responsible for about 95% of new wells in the U.S. today, put the benefits outlined in the DOE report at risk. Weakened security, lost jobs, reduced economic output.
Natural Gas Integral to Progress in Reducing CO2 Emissions
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Mark Green
Posted October 2, 2020
Growing natural gas use in the U.S. power sector continues to be an important factor in decreasing the country’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, a critical greenhouse gas in the climate conversation.
This is seen in the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) emissions report, which showed that these CO2 emissions decreased 2.8% in 2019 compared to 2018, largely thanks to changes in the electricity fuel mix.
Coal-related emissions declined 15% last year, reflecting a decline in coal’s share of U.S. power generation (falling from 27% to 23%). Natural gas is the leading fuel for generating electricity, its share of the mix rising to 38.4% in 2019 from 35% in 2018. (Nuclear accounted for 19.6% of generation while 9% was generated by wind and solar). Coal’s downward trend continued and even accelerated through the first two quarters of 2020, while natural gas’ share in the generating mix remained steady despite falling overall power demand.
API Releases New Sustainability Reporting Guidance with International Community to Promote Environmental Progress
Aaron Padilla
Posted March 30, 2020
Industry-led efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are a key contribution to global climate solutions, and when companies transparently report their performance, it reflects their commitment to ongoing advances in sustainability. The natural gas and oil industry pioneered industry-wide guidance for sustainability reporting 15 years ago, and for decades now, has delivered detailed performance information for stakeholders, including regulators, investors and the general public.
Today, three leading global natural gas and oil industry associations – API, IPIECA and IOGP – released the fourth edition of the “Sustainability Reporting Guidance for the Oil and Gas industry,” which provides a consensus framework for company reporting on sustainability topics in governance and business ethics; climate change; environment; safety, health and security; and social impacts.
Natural Gas, Our Air and Our Modern Lifestyles
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Mary Schaper
Posted March 19, 2018
By now you may have seen our new ad, “Air Up Here,” highlighting the role natural gas has played in helping to lower U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to their lowest levels in nearly 25 years.
While the ad focuses on how the industry is helping reduce greenhouse gases in our air, you may not realize that every cut in the ad features consumer goods the industry makes possible or makes better. Take a look at the ad and see if you can identify all of the products – many of which you likely own – made from materials produced from natural gas and oil. Go ahead, we’ll wait.