Please join the SPE Decarbonization Congress and the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines as we welcome Payne Institute Energy Finance Lab Director Brad Handler, presenting CCUS and Low Carbon Strategies at the Accelerating Decarbonization of E&P Operations​ Conference on Thursday, February 4, 2025 in Houston, TX.

Join us for a pivotal congress dedicated to tackling the challenge of reducing 5.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector of the Oil and Gas industry. This event aims to forge powerful connections among global and regional operational leaders, alongside emerging sustainability experts, fostering a collaborative environment to spearhead impactful environmental strategies.

Throughout this congress, participants will have the opportunity to exchange best practices and innovative approaches to decarbonization. We are committed to facilitating meaningful dialogues between suppliers, service companies, and operators, creating a unique platform where practical solutions and advancements in sustainability are shared and developed.

The themes of the congress include:

Upstream and midstream: The global oil and gas industry is responsible for generating over 5 gigatons of CO2e emissions annually. Routine and non-routine flaring, artificial lift, and processing facilities are among the top emitters in this sector. Stimulation operations contribute significantly to fuel, water, and chemical consumption. By deploying sustainable technologies, these emissions could be reduced or eliminated. In the first session, we will focus on key themes including quantification, reporting, modeling, and regulatory drivers. In the second session, the emphasis will be on flaring, venting, energy efficiency, operating efficiency, and electrification.

Methane: Methane is the single most significant source of emissions in the exploration and production space, and it requires our attention. As a potent greenhouse gas, addressing methane leaks and venting not only improves operational efficiency but also opens the door to additional energy resources. In this session, we will delve into all aspects of methane emissions in the exploration and production sector, including monitoring, modeling, cold venting, fugitive emissions, and gas-to-X technologies.

Emerging low carbon solutions for core applications: Oil and gas exploration and production entail energy-intensive operations. Processes such as artificial lift, stimulation, drilling, separation, and compression demand substantial energy inputs. At present, hydrocarbon-based fuels dominate our energy landscape within the industry. However, transitioning to more sustainable energy sources holds the promise of reducing the emission intensity associated with every barrel produced. In our upcoming session, we will delve into emerging low-carbon solutions, including hydrogen, geothermal energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and advanced storage/battery technologies. Additionally, we’ll explore the power of collaboration among operators, service providers, universities, and government entities.