Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council Responds to the Department of Energy’s Request for Information on Opportunities to Reduce Emissions from Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council
For Immediate Release
June 26, 2023
Contact: info@dgccouncil.com
NEWS: Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council Advocates for the Utilization of Differentiated Natural Gas to Reduce Emissions in the Liquified Natural Gas Export Market
WASHINGTON – The Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council (DGCC), a coalition of stakeholders across the natural gas value chain, submitted a detailed response to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management's Request for Information (RFI) on opportunities to minimize greenhouse gas emissions associated with U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports.
In its response, the DGCC underscores the potential for differentiated gas—also referred to as certified gas—to serve as a key resource in reducing climate change impacts while meeting the needs of the oil and gas industry and global energy consumers. This innovative form of gas is characterized and marketed based on its verifiable environmental attributes, particularly its relatively lower intensity of methane emissions throughout the value chain.
"In the context of escalating global environmental concerns, the role of differentiated gas in addressing climate goals is undeniably pivotal," said DGCC Executive Director Tom Hassenboehler. "A thriving differentiated gas market can simultaneously achieve significant reductions in methane emissions within the oil and gas sector and bolster the competitive stance of the U.S. in the global energy market."
The DGCC strongly believes that by promoting the use and sale of differentiated gas, energy producers can take swift and impactful steps to curtail emissions. This strategy could also facilitate long-term viability for the LNG market and enable U.S. LNG producers to maintain a competitive advantage in the global arena.
In addition, the DGCC emphasizes the role of differentiated gas in accurately communicating the relative cleanliness of U.S. LNG to international energy buyers. The adherence to internationally accepted methodologies and the application of advanced technology will help reinforce confidence in emissions data and highlight the decarbonization benefits of natural gas over other energy sources.
As environmental stewardship becomes increasingly integral to long-term LNG supply agreements, the DGCC urges DOE to develop a best-practices framework for differentiated gas. This framework should incorporate universally acknowledged methane quantification methodologies, such as the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0).
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Established in 2022, the DGCC is an ad hoc coalition of stakeholders across the natural gas supply chain dedicated to expanding the market for low methane, “differentiated” natural gas. Its members include academics; downstream, midstream, and upstream energy producers; gas customers; and technology companies. The DGCC’s goal is to facilitate a federal pathway for state regulators, utilities, and gas consumers to accept differentiated gas as an important option to meet their climate goals. We believe that the adoption of differentiated gas is the best way to rapidly reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector—a win for American energy producers, energy consumers, and the climate.