OGDC, the Oil & Gas sector’s Concrete Drive Towards Decarbonization: Message From Patrick Pouyanné

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman & CEO, TotalEnergies: Dear Executives from national and international Oil & Gas companies, Signatories of the OGDC Charter, dear employees of these companies, who want to take an active role for climate, thank you for this opportunity to share with you my views on the potential of the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter, this ambitious initiative launched one year ago at COP28 under our collective leadership with our esteemed colleagues Dr Sultan Al Jaber of ADNOC and Amin Nasser of Aramco.

We collectively have strong commitments in terms of emission reductions, and more particularly methane emissions and routine flaring. Stakes are high. The expectations are high. And I am very pleased to see that OGDC has already reached its first priorities in 2024 by establishing a baseline to set the foundation to track progress. Our baseline report is key. It made it clear where we were starting from. Now, progress is not an option any more, it’s a must for every signatory. Obviously, among signatories, we have different starting points, different backgrounds, different constraints. What’s important is that every signatory commits to progress and ultimately, our goal is to bring everyone to the same level.

Personally, I can tell you it’s an honor and a responsibility to be a CEO Champion of this initiative and a matter of credibility as well for our industry. The O&G industry has a responsibility to address climate change. OGDC signatories represent almost 45% of worldwide oil production. And getting national companies on board is crucial. If every signatory improves in reducing emissions, we can make a tangible impact. I strongly believe that the Collaborate & Share program, put in place in 2024 by OGDC, is very instrumental: we are smarter together.

For instance, we at TotalEnergies have an incredible drone technology called AUSEA to detect and ultimately fight methane emissions. We use it on our operated assets and we are sharing it with OGDC signatories. The technology exists, let’s share it! Another example could be the plan we have, at TotalEnergies, to deploy continuous, real-time methane emissions detection equipment on all our upstream assets. This can pave the way for others.

To conclude, I would say that COP30 will be our next milestone. By next year, we must demonstrate progress on measurement, reporting, and action plans. Because when a company progresses on its reporting, when you precisely know the sources of your emissions, then you can act, and you act more efficiently. The priority, of course, must be to aim for "near-zero methane emissions" and stop routine flaring by 2030. I am confident but also demanding that signatories, at COP30 in Brazil, will demonstrate progress. Action must prevail over pledges. We, the OGDC signatories, have the means and the will to make a difference. You can count, again, on my personal commitment and that of all teams at TotalEnergies, to share our knowledge and our know-how on this journey.