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OGCI's carbon intensity target

OGCI launched its upstream carbon intensity target in 2020. Its aim is to reduce member companies’ aggregate upstream carbon intensity from 23 kg of greenhouse gases per barrel of oil or gas in 2017 to 17 kg by 2025.

In 2023, our member companies achieved an aggregate intensity of 17.9 kg/boe, an improvement of 21% since 2017, and a 1% decrease compared to the previous year.

A worker looking out over the sea from the edge of an oil rig.

This near-term target covers both carbon dioxide and methane emissions from operated oil and gas exploration and production activities, as well as emissions from associated imports of electricity and steam.

Aggregate greenhouse gas emissions represented 590 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2022. Most of that is accounted for by carbon dioxide emissions, since OGCI member companies already have relatively low methane intensity levels. Over three-quarters of upstream carbon dioxide emissions in OGCI member companies come from energy production and use.

A chart showing the 2025 Carbon Intensity Target.

Reducing upstream carbon intensity relies on all member companies putting effective decarbonization measures in place. This involves improving energy efficiency, electrification of operations using renewable power where possible, co-generating electricity and useful heat, stopping zero routine flaring by 2030, and achieving near zero methane emissions. Changes in companies’ asset portfolios also impact intensity.

Oil and Gas Climate Initiative

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Methane Emissions

Explore latest resources

November 19, 2025

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative has released a first of its kind methane detection response playbook to help oil and gas operators respond rapidly and effectively to methane emissions detected from space.

September 3, 2025

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) today published its updated Reporting Framework in line with its commitment to provide transparent, credible data on its member companies’ aggregated progress on OGCI ambitions to reduce emissions.

July 2, 2025

The Methane Guiding Principles focus on five priority areas for action to reduce methane emissions across the natural gas supply chain.