OGCI 2026 Progress Report: what the results show, and what comes next

OGCI’s 12 member companies have worked individually to achieve the collective 2025 aggregate upstream carbon intensity ambition, and to maintain upstream methane intensity well below 0.20% for a fifth consecutive year.

At the launch webinar for the 2026 Progress Report, OGCI Chair Bob Dudley, Executive Committee Chair Bjørn Otto Sverdrup and Managing Director Julien Perez answered questions on the results, the challenges that remain and the priorities through 2030. Here are the highlights…

Watch the full webinar on demand to hear the discussion in full.

What did OGCI members achieve in 2025?

Meeting the 2025 ambitions is a significant milestone for OGCI members, achieved despite a challenging operating environment. Upstream carbon intensity fell to 16.5 kg CO₂e/boe, below the 17.0 ambition, and methane intensity stayed well below 0.20% for the fifth year running.

Since 2017, members have cut total operated Scope 1 emissions by 23%, or 167 million tonnes, while production has remained broadly flat. That’s roughly equivalent to the combined annual greenhouse gas emissions of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. More energy, less emissions.

The companies are delivering the same amount of energy as they did back in 2017. But the emissions are lower. – Bjørn Otto Sverdrup

What has driven this progress?

OGCI members’ progress reflects technological achievements, operational rigour, investment and leadership. No single measure accounts for it. Members have reduced methane and flaring, improved equipment performance and energy efficiency, recovered waste heat and electrified operations.

These results show what’s possible when companies work together with a clear focus on delivery.

What is OGCI doing to reduce methane emissions and flaring?

Methane is one of OGCI’s strongest areas of practical action. Member companies are improving measurement and leak detection and repair. OGCI shares tools and strategies that help operators detect and abate emissions, including its Satellite Monitoring Campaign, its collaboration with Carbon Mapper, the Satellite Detection Response Playbook and a Methane Library of more than 300 resources.

Members’ aggregate upstream routine flaring from operated assets is down 74% since 2018. During the webinar, Bjørn Otto highlighted non-operated assets and joint ventures as an important area for further progress. Looking to 2030, members are focused on achieving 0.1% aggregate methane intensity collectively and ending routine flaring.

Methane emissions can be reduced and can be reduced quickly within a short period of time. – Bjørn Otto Sverdrup

Why did methane intensity increase slightly in 2025?

Aggregate upstream methane intensity moved from 0.12% to 0.13%, mainly because two member companies improved how they measure their methane emissions. Total upstream methane emissions still fell in 2025 year-on-year, to 0.76 Mt.

Since 2017, members have worked individually to collectively reduce aggregate upstream methane intensity by 58% and methane emissions by 61%. Better measurement helps operators target action where it matters most.

Is voluntary industry action enough?

Voluntary action delivers measurable results, and it is one part of a broader effort. OGCI supports well-designed methane regulation: voluntary action has shown what industry can achieve, and effective regulation can help take that progress further and faster.

OGCI’s role is to share what works, where the barriers are and what can be applied at scale, backed by aggregate performance data published each year under its Reporting Framework.

Voluntary contributions can play a very important role. And they can lead the way. – Bjørn Otto Sverdrup

Why does OGCI focus on operational emissions?

OGCI focuses on operational emissions because that’s where members can act directly and progress can be measured. Its collective ambitions cover Scope 1 and 2 emissions from members’ operated activities, particularly methane.

Beyond their operations, members are also helping to advance CCUS, low-carbon fuels and emissions accounting frameworks.

What role do CCUS and low-carbon molecules play?

Since 2017, OGCI members have invested a cumulative $156 billion in low-carbon solutions, including carbon capture and storage, and are individually advancing more than 50 potential CCUS and direct air capture hubs worldwide. OGCI helps scale up hubs with tools including its CCUS Global Hub Search Tool, CO2 Storage Licence Tracker and CO₂ Storage Resource Catalogue.

OGCI also believes low-carbon molecules will be an important part of the future energy system. For those markets to grow, carbon accounting needs greater transparency and consistency.

How is OGCI scaling its impact through OGDC?

More than 90% of global upstream oil and gas methane emissions come from outside OGCI members’ operations, so progress at scale requires wider action.

Launched at COP28, the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) brings together 56 companies operating in more than 100 countries and representing around 40% of global oil production. OGCI supports OGDC as secretariat, sharing member expertise and practical tools. In 2025, OGDC adopted OGCI’s Reporting Framework, and 50 of 55 signatories submitted emissions data covering 98% of operated production.

What comes next?

The direction is clear: less methane, less flaring, more CCS and better carbon accounting. The challenge now is scale and speed, and leveraging the power of continued collaboration.

As Bjørn Otto put it: “Delivering results is what really matters at the end.”

“No single company or government can do this on their own.”

Bob Dudley, Chair, OGCI