Permian emissions remain low amid near-record production, new TIPRO report shows

Today, Texans for Natural Gas, a campaign of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), released a new report titled "Methane Emissions in Texas’ Permian Basin Remain Low Despite Near Record Production." The report highlights the continued success of oil and natural gas producers in the United States, Permian basin and Texas in maintaining low emissions despite record oil and gas production levels.

"American oil and gas producers, especially in the Lone Star State, have always been committed to meeting increasing energy demand responsibly. Our most recent methane and flaring emissions data proves that the United States can fulfill global energy demand while keeping emissions low thanks to the industry’s dedication and innovation," said Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO.

The report highlights the oil and gas industry’s success in lowering methane and flaring emissions over the last decade, even as production continues to rise amid a prioritization of energy and national security for the United States and its allies. 2023 results show a slight uptick in methane and flaring emissions in the Permian and Texas, due to a confluence of factors including record production, depressed Waha Hub prices and takeaway capacity constraints, yet overall emission reduction accomplishments remained. Preliminary 2024 data for the Permian points to a 14 percent reduction in flaring as the region remains dedicated to keeping emissions low. 

"The increase in emissions from 2022 and 2023 points to an issue the industry has been advocating for years – new and modern infrastructure, specifically pipelines, is urgently needed to safely and efficiently transport energy and reduce flaring," Longanecker continued. "The oil and gas industry will continue to prioritize innovation and safety to drive emissions even lower, but a clear, predictable and permanent permitting process is critical to safeguarding responsible energy development for decades to come."

Key takeaways from the new report:

• The Permian Basin reached one of its lowest methane intensity levels this decade in 2023, at 0.49 metric tons per barrel of oil equivalent (MT/boe). Since 2011, Permian methane intensity has declined nearly 83 percent, even as total production increased 482 percent in the same time frame.
• Flaring intensity in the Permian Basin in 2023 was 65 percent lower than in 2015 – when flaring reached a decade high. 2023 saw a slight uptick in intensity compared to 2022 levels, due to a unique confluence of factors, including record oil and gas production, depressed Waha Hub prices, and takeaway capacity constraints, yet overall accomplishments in emission reductions remained.
• Preliminary reporting indicates that the increases in Permian Basin flaring intensity in 2023 were likely an anomaly, with estimates showing a reduction of approximately 14 percent in 2024.
• Texas' flaring intensity in 2023 declined 47 percent since its peak in 2018. Total statewide production has increased nearly 25 percent in that same time frame, with 2023 being the second-highest oil and gas production year on record in the Lone Star State, behind 2024’s record numbers.
• The United States reached record levels of oil and natural gas production in 2023, increasing nearly 9 percent since 2022 while maintaining flaring intensity near its lowest levels since 2012 at 2 meters cubed per barrel of oil (m3/bbl).