Emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by Pioneer are Scope 2 emissions. Pioneer’s GHG emissions inventory and emissions targets include location-based Scope 2 emissions for electricity purchased to power facilities and equipment under our operational control.
Renewable Energy
Given the combination of Pioneer’s large contiguous ownership position of surface acreage in the Permian Basin and associated plans to electrify our field operations, we are well-suited to support the development of wind and solar power generation projects.
Pioneer is working with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to develop a 140-megawatt (MW) wind generation facility on Pioneer-owned surface acreage in Midland County. This project is supported by a power purchase agreement with Pioneer, in which Targa Resources Corporation (Targa) will participate and is expected to be operational in 2024. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Additionally, Pioneer is also a participant in the 160 MW Concho Valley Solar project through Targa’s power purchase agreement, which commenced delivering renewable electricity in October 2022.
The renewable electricity sourced from these projects will provide a portion of the power required to operate Pioneer and Targa’s jointly owned Midland Basin natural gas processing infrastructure (operated by Targa), as well as Pioneer’s field operations, enhancing each company’s emission-reduction initiatives through renewable electricity purchases and credits. In addition, Pioneer will receive renewable energy credits from these projects to reduce our Scope 2 emissions and aid in meeting our GHG-intensity targets.
We also plan to participate in other renewable energy projects in the future to further offset our Scope 2 emissions.
Renewable Energy Benefits
By participating in these projects, Pioneer and Targa exemplify their commitments to be industry leaders in reducing emissions throughout the Midland Basin. From a Pioneer perspective, these projects not only support our efforts to minimize our carbon footprint, but they also have potential to provide clean, sustainably generated power to the electrical grid in Texas. We expect these projects to offset a portion of our Scope 2 emissions.
Monitoring, Reporting and Verification
Recent advancements in methane sensor technology and related data analytics are beginning to strengthen our understanding of our methane emission rates, volumes and durations. Continued development and application of this technology will help Pioneer, and the oil and gas industry, better understand fugitive emissions beyond the current regulatory methodology that is based on equipment counts and generic emissions factors. By refining our quantification of methane emissions, we can develop customized emission-reduction solutions. Pioneer has invested time and effort into research and development which will collectively help all operators across the basin successfully tackle the methane challenge. We continue to invest in sensor research and development to improve our ability to detect methane emissions and remediate any leaks.
Technology Deployment
Aerial Methane Monitoring – Aerial methane monitoring is an integral part of Pioneer’s methane-reduction strategy. Beginning in 2018, Pioneer conducted an annual full-field methane survey of our operations. Based on the learnings and success of our past surveys, Pioneer expanded our aerial campaign to three full-field surveys per year beginning in 2022.
To conduct aerial surveys, a fixed-wing aircraft is equipped with onboard methane sensors, optical cameras and a global positioning system (GPS). Methane concentration data is overlaid with simultaneously collected optical images to form a single, georeferenced image of methane leaks. This information is then used to direct on-ground thermography inspections.
This more efficient process allows our teams to spend less time finding leaks and more time focused on leak prevention. Pioneer is consistently building on our experience with aerial methane detection. While our initial aerial technology deployment identified high-probability methane sources, we benefited from improved technology starting in 2021. Our detection capabilities now identify smaller sources of methane, which have allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of our methane emissions.
Fixed-site Monitoring – In 2020, Pioneer began evaluating several continuous monitoring technologies at our large, horizontal facilities. As every oil and gas site is unique, pilot trials can help identify the appropriate technologies and implementation plan for each location. With the benefit of experience gained both independently and collaboratively, we are planning to scale up deployment at these sites. In 2023, Pioneer plans to install fixed-site, continuous methane monitoring sensors at tank batteries comprising 80% of our gas production. These sensors are designed to alert our field personnel of identified methane emissions at the site.
To help support our efforts, Pioneer collaborated in Project Falcon, led by Scientific Aviation, developer of Systematic Observation of Facility Intermittent Emissions (SOOFIE) sensors, along with six other oil and gas operators: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, ExxonMobil, Shell and TRP Energy. Project Falcon commenced in 2021 to test and optimize implementation of real-time methane monitoring at the facility level. The objective of the project was to study the reliability of the continuous monitors and develop best practices for deployment (e.g., placement and density) and management (e.g., alarming and notification processes). The project is now complete, and, with the benefit of experience gained both independently and collaboratively from this project, we are installing these methane sensors at our tank batteries in 2023.
Collaborative Projects – Pioneer actively works with industry, academia and other stakeholders to advance technology deployment and the science of emissions measurement. These collaborative efforts include:
| FOCUS AREA | ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION |
| Emissions Monitoring and Technology Deployment | Project Astra | A University of Texas at Austin-led collaboration aimed at reducing methane releases into the atmosphere. The team is developing an innovative sensor network that is intended to harness advances in methane-sensing technologies, data sharing and data analytics to provide near-continuous emissions monitoring across oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin and feed information into decision tools. Pioneer is participating in the technical design of the study and will provide access to production facilities for installation of sensors. For more information about Project Astra, visit: dept.ceer.utexas.edu/ceer/astra/andprojectastra.energy |
| Emissions Measurement and Quantification | Veritas | A GTI Energy Differentiated Gas Measurement and Verification Initiative designed to accelerate actions that reduce methane leakage from natural gas systems. The effort brings together scientists, academics, environmental organizations, certification organizations and industry participants to demonstrate emission reductions in a consistent, credible and transparent way. For more information about the Veritas initiative visit: https://veritas.gti.energy/protocols. |
| Cheniere Energy QMRV Demonstration | A collaboration of natural gas producers and leading academic institutions to implement quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification (QMRV) of GHG emissions performance at natural gas production sites. The engagement is intended to improve the overall understanding of upstream GHG emissions and further the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies and protocols. For more information about this study visit: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ acs.est.2c06211. | |
| Collaboratory to Advance Methane Science (CAMS) | CAMS is a research collaboration on methane science directed by some of the world’s top leaders in energy development and administered by GTI Energy, a leading research, development and training organization. For information about CAMS research, including the Permian Basin Survey and Methane Emission Estimate Tool, and other studies, visit: methanecollaboratory.com. |
Emissions Reporting
Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 – In 2022, Pioneer joined the OGMP 2.0, a multi-stakeholder initiative launched by United Nations Environment Programme. Currently, OGMP 2.0 has 77 international operators as members and is continuing to grow.
To accelerate methane emission reductions, measurement-informed emissions inventories and transparent reporting are critical. By joining OGMP 2.0, Pioneer plans to inform its emissions reporting utilizing representative scientific studies and field measurements. Participating companies are expected to achieve the “gold standard” for emissions reporting in three years for operated assets and five years for non-operated assets. Gold standard is defined by achieving Level 4/Level 5 as described below:
| Level 1 | Emissions reported for a venture at an asset or country level |
| Level 2 | Emissions reported in consolidated, simplified source categories |
| Level 3 | Emissions reported by detailed source type and using generic emissions |
| Level 4 | Emissions reported by detailed source type and using specific emissions factors and activity factors |
| Level 5 | Emissions reported similarly to Level 4, but with the addition of site-level measurements |
Progression through the various reporting levels requires increasing granularity, increased rigor and reduced uncertainty in reported figures. The United Nations Environment Programme has established the International Methane Emissions Observatory to aggregate and maintain global estimates of methane emissions and will also incorporate data reported by companies to OGMP 2.0. For more information about the OGMP 2.0 initiative visit: ogmpartnership.com.