The energy sector accounts for around 24% of methane emissions in Southeast Asia, making it a critical focus area for action. In this interview, PETRONAS’ Vice President Charlotte Wolff-Bye discusses the company’s methane reduction initiatives and lessons for industry.
MGP: PETRONAS has taken a leading role in a series of multi-stakeholder initiatives focused on methane reductions in Southeast Asia. Can you discuss these initiatives and how they have evolved?
Wolff-Bye: In 2021, PETRONAS, alongside other energy operators, convened the CEO-led ASEAN Energy Sector Methane Roundtable. Two years later, together with government agencies, international associations and non-governmental organizations, the group established the ASEAN Energy Sector Methane Leadership Program (MLP), focused on capacity-building and knowledge-sharing. It was so successful that we launched MLP 2.0 in October 2024, to strengthen emissions-reduction targets and enhance coordination between operators and regulators, as well as help match methane emission-reduction projects with funding.
The program has grown from 13 to 18 participating organizations and is now being considered for replication in Central Asia and Latin America.
MGP: Under MGP’s Advancing Global Methane Reductions (AGMR) initiative, PETRONAS is collaborating with the Malaysian government to support methane reductions across the country’s entire oil and gas sector. Can you discuss specific outcomes of that engagement?
Wolff-Bye: Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) is entrusted to act for and on behalf of PETRONAS in the overall management of Malaysia’s petroleum resources throughout the lifecycle of upstream oil and gas assets. MPM is the governing body for the country’s petroleum development and takes an active role in developing common standards and practices for emissions management. This collaboration has led to significant progress—for instance, PETRONAS has eliminated routine venting across its upstream operated assets in Malaysia and is working with other operators to achieve similar results.
MGP: What are the practical lessons that you’ve learned from MLP or AGMR that can help other companies on their own methane journeys?
Wolff-Bye: There are several actionable takeaways from PETRONAS’ journey that other companies can look to:
- Commitment and Resources: establish a dedicated team to coordinate and oversee methane emissions management, monitoring and reporting.
- Emissions Baseline: conduct a comprehensive baseline study of methane emission sources using the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 framework.
- Data Management: create a methane emissions inventory tool to collect data from various sources, including direct measurements, engineering calculations and emissions factors.
- Targeted Projects: focus on leak detection and repair, vent and flare reduction, and gas recovery activities.
- Engage Stakeholders: engage internal stakeholders in the process from the early stage to ensure coordinated action across assets.
- Transparency and Reporting: use standardized reporting templates, such as OGMP 2.0, to disclose progress and allow benchmarking of performance.
MGP: What role do NGOs and research institutions play?
Wolff-Bye: Civil society organizations have an important role in promoting awareness about methane emissions to a broader set of stakeholders. Such efforts also galvanize greater university engagement and research into the subject area.
MGP: What does the future hold for Petronas’s methane-reduction efforts?
Wolff-Bye: The industry is moving toward more targeted efforts. Key priorities include:
- Deepening technical evaluation expertise
- Matching financing to specific reduction projects
- Expanding participation in regional initiatives
- Strengthening international collaboration
In 2024, we announced the intent to establish the Southeast Asian Methane Emission Technology Evaluation Centre (METEC) in Malaysia, with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) as founding partner. METEC will be shaped as a collaborative partnership between universities, industry and international partners. METEC is also a means for the industry to build long-term capacity, ensuring that future technicians and engineering students are trained in methane emissions abatement, creating a pipeline of skilled professionals.
The recent communique at COP29 in Baku, signed by multiple Southeast Asian energy organizations, demonstrates growing regional commitment to methane emission reduction. This collaborative approach is proving effective in driving industry-wide progress.
For executives in the energy supply chain, the message is clear: methane reduction requires a systematic approach, strong partnerships and consistent commitment. With proper planning and execution, companies can achieve significant results relatively quickly.
