New Delhi: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is in discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to enhance its capability for detecting methane leaks at its facilities nationwide using satellite technology. This collaboration aims to provide a more cost-effective and precise method for monitoring emissions, which have significant implications for both environmental sustainability and company revenues.
As a participant in the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) launched at COP28, ONGC is committed to reducing methane emissions by 50% by 2027 and by 80% by 2030, using 2020 levels as a baseline. Fugitive emissions, or leakages, represent a considerable loss of potential revenue for the company. Currently, ONGC relies on emission data from the European Space Agency's TROPOMI satellite, but it aims to transition from broad estimates to more accurate measurements.
Deepak Tandon, ONGC's Executive Director and Chief of Carbon Management and Sustainability, highlighted the need for better data, noting that the existing open-source data is often too imprecise for effective monitoring. Tandon expressed that leveraging advanced technologies will enable the company to better manage and mitigate the financial impacts of fugitive emissions while also supporting its sustainability goals.
BI Bureau
