Colombia O&G methane emissions fall by 16pc

Colombia's oil and gas sector reduced methane emissions by over 16pc from 2019-2023, the country's petroleum association said.

Methane emissions totaled 75,000t in 2023, down from 90,000t in 2019, according to data certified by the UN's Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0) Initiative, which is aimed at providing transparency to emissions reporting.

Colombia's energy sector committed to cut methane emissions by 51pc from 2019 levels, to around 44,100t by 2030.

Methane is the second largest cause of global warming after CO2.

In 2022, Colombia issued a regulation aimed at eliminating flaring and fugitive methane emissions from upstream oil and gas activities. Oil companies reinject most of the natural gas they produce. They have also implemented infrared cameras, drones and other monitoring technologies to detect methane emissions.

Colombia's energy sector accounts for about 31pc of country's total emissions, with just 5pc from the oil and gas industry, according to Colombian petroleum association president Frank Pearl. Globally, 73pc of emissions are generated by energy, he said.

By Diana Delgado