New Delhi: As global scrutiny intensifies on methane - the fast-acting greenhouse gas driving nearly a third of today’s warming - India has marked a notable breakthrough in climate-aligned energy operations. Cairn Oil & Gas, the country’s largest private oil and gas producer, has become the first upstream operator in India to be awarded the United Nations Environment Programme’s prestigious OGMP 2.0 “Gold Standard Pathway” for reporting year 2025. The recognition places Cairn among a small group of global energy companies meeting the highest benchmarks for methane measurement, transparency and reduction.

Cairn Oil & Gas took this step in 2024 as part of a broader push to decarbonise operations and strengthen climate reporting. Cairn has now submitted a granular implementation plan and committed to reducing absolute methane emissions by 30% over the next five years — a target aligned with global climate pathways and India’s push for responsible energy production.

UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory head Giulia Ferrini said the recognition reflects Cairn’s seriousness in improving the accuracy of emissions data. “Measurement-based reporting is essential to delivering the reductions needed to meet global climate goals,” she said.

Cairn COO Jasmin Sahurity said the achievement reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable energy production and India’s energy security. She highlighted ongoing efforts such as renewable integration, flare reduction, low-carbon technologies, carbon capture, and nature-based solutions as part of the company’s journey towards Net Zero.

With operations across 55 blocks nationwide, Cairn has already reduced flaring volumes by 57% since 2021 and is pushing towards a Zero Routine Flaring agenda through a host of technological and process innovations, including recycled gas compressors, satellite field gas pipelines, and digital monitoring systems.

OGMP 2.0, which covers over 42% of global oil and gas production, is increasingly regarded as the most credible methane Measurement, Reporting and Verification framework globally.

BI Bureau