A Gold Standard for Sustainability: GHG Emissions and Colorado’s Oil & Gas Sector
19 June 2024
In 2019, the first Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap was released, outlining a set of sector-specific goals, policy priorities, and agency activities to put the state on track to meet its ambitious emissions reduction goals – 90% by 2050. By 2023, 95% of the near-term actions proposed in the original were underway or completed. Emissions reduction goals changed to net-zero by 2050. This rapid pace prompted the release of the Roadmap 2.0 this February, highlighting the many accomplishments of Colorado’s industries and outlining further near-term actions.
Oil and gas operations are leading the way in emissions reductions. As one of the nation’s leading producers, Colorado also leads in clean, sustainable production. Regulations on the verification of upstream greenhouse gas intensity – a ratio of emissions to production – and thorough leak detection measures contribute to the oil and gas sector exceeding its reduction targets. Additionally, the Roadmap 2.0 and its contributing agencies demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of sustainable technologies within existing oil and gas infrastructure. Several methods to utilize inactive wells are proposed as near-term actions, including carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and hydrogen production.
DIG is proud to play a part in these successes. In a previous blog, we emphasized our commitment to environmental quality and its relation to the laboratory analyses we provide. DIG offers a wide variety of services – and we’re committed to innovating alongside regulations, research, and responsible oil and gas operators. Stable isotopes are excellent for identifying the sources of fluids, such as water and natural gas, and potential mixing or contamination. Understanding the importance of reliable monitoring, our stable isotope lab is also well-equipped to both monitor carbon capture systems and distinguish sources of hydrogen gas.
Development is one of DIG’s core principles. We continue to stay informed and engaged in order to provide our clients with the highest quality laboratory services and expert analyses. Contact DIG for more information on our state-of-the-art stable isotope laboratory, industry-leading turnaround time, and interpretive services.
