Methane matters: how Shell is tackling emissions in Australia
Shell is a leader in reducing methane emissions, with a 78% reduction in total methane emissions under its operational control between 2016 and the end of 2025. This first article in our series brings to life the work behind the figures at natural gas producer Shell QGC in Australia.
At a glance
- Methane is the main component of natural gas, a versatile energy source that offers a lower-carbon alternative to coal for industry and power, and to diesel and fuel oil for heavy-duty transport and shipping. But to deliver the full benefits of natural gas, emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas, must be minimised.
- At QGC in Australia, Shell reduced methane emissions by around 50% between 2016 and the end of 2025.
- Satellites, aircraft, drones and handheld equipment help teams detect emissions, while changes to maintenance help prevent or reduce them at source.
On November 10, 2026
In the wide-open spaces of the Western Downs region of Queensland in Australia, a small drone moves across the sky. It is searching for any methane emissions from Shell QGC, which shares the landscape with farms and family homes. QGC produces gas that provides power to homes and businesses on Australia’s east coast and, once cooled to a liquid, is shipped to customers in Asia.
Methane is the main component of natural gas, a versatile energy source that offers a lower-carbon alternative to coal for industry and power, and to diesel and fuel oil for heavy-duty transport and shipping. But to deliver the full benefits of natural gas, emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas, must be minimised. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that methane’s warming impact is around 30 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) over 100 years, and more than 80 times greater over 20 years, making reductions in methane emissions one of the fastest ways to slow near‑term warming and help keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal within reach.
Shell is a leader in reducing methane emissions, with a 78% reduction in total methane emissions under its operational control between 2016 and the end of 2025. For companies like Shell, reducing methane emissions is best practice, and saves a valuable energy resource that can be captured and used instead of being leaked, vented or flared.
At QGC in Australia, Shell has reduced methane emissions by around 50% from 2016 to the end of 2025. This has been achieved through measures such as improved monitoring, and the increased use of data and insights for well maintenance and the detection and repair of leaks. A mix of technologies are used to monitor methane emissions, including satellites for wide areas, aircraft that fly closer to scan QGC sites, and drones that focus on specific areas, using highly sensitive sensors to pinpoint any emissions. Handheld surveys allow teams on the ground to locate and measure individual leaks so they can be repaired quickly.
Cutting emissions at the source
Flying downwind of around 3,500 production wells, 25 gas compression stations and six processing plants across QGC sites, sensors onboard the drones measure methane concentrations above naturally occurring levels already present in the environment, while wind sensors track speed and direction. By flying systematic grid patterns, the drones can capture cross‑sections of methane emissions that are then traced back to equipment such as valves, flanges, tanks and compressors.
“Combining methane readings with wind data allows you to clearly see what’s coming from a site and act with confidence, which is why the drones are so effective”, says Jeremy Taylor, a Brisbane-based Acoustics and Methane Advisor at Shell, who co-ordinates methane monitoring at QGC.
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Improving maintenance
Preventing methane emissions during normal operations is the ultimate goal and one way to do that is by improving routine maintenance. At QGC, wells used to be shut in before the arrival of maintenance equipment, meaning pressure could build and gas needed to be released before work could begin, causing methane emissions. Now, during routine maintenance, the wells stay connected to the gas gathering network, and flow at a low, controlled rate until the equipment arrives, preventing pressure build-up. This means little or no gas needs to be released, or vented, therefore preventing emissions.
Technological innovation has been a key enabler of faster and more effective progress on detecting, quantifying, and reducing methane emissions, including at QGC. Looking ahead, artificial intelligence (AI) may further strengthen methane emissions management. “We are collecting huge amounts of data now,” says Dani Thompson, Performance, Carbon & Sustainability Manager at Shell. “AI’s real value will be in spotting patterns, supporting human decision-making, and enabling comparisons that simply were not possible before.”
For more information on how Shell is reducing methane emissions, including through its participation in industry initiatives, click here.
Frequently asked questions
Where do methane emissions come from?
Where do methane emissions come from?
Around 60% of global methane emissions come from human activities, including agriculture, oil and gas production and landfill waste decomposition. The remaining 40% occur naturally, mainly from wetlands. In oil and gas operations, methane emissions can come from venting, which involves the intentional release of gas into the atmosphere, often necessary for safety or maintenance. Emissions can also be the result of incomplete flaring which occurs when gas that cannot be used is burned to convert it into CO2 and water, and if some of this gas is not fully combusted, it can escape into the atmosphere as methane. They can also come from combustion equipment and unintentional leaks from equipment such as valves and seals.
How is Shell reducing methane emissions?
How is Shell reducing methane emissions?
Shell uses a range of technologies and operational practices to detect, monitor, measure and reduce methane emissions. These include optical gas imaging cameras and high-flow samplers, continuous monitoring technologies, drones and aircraft surveys, and satellite monitoring. Shell also uses measurement data to identify and prioritise sources of emissions, improve leak management and flaring efficiency, strengthen operational controls and target inspections and repairs.
What progress has Shell made in reducing methane emissions?
What progress has Shell made in reducing methane emissions?
Between 2016 and 2025, reported methane emissions from assets under Shell’s operational control decreased from 138,000 tonnes to 31,000 tonnes, a reduction of 78%. In January 2025, Shell also eliminated routine gas flaring from its Upstream operated assets, five years ahead of the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative, of which Shell is a signatory. In 2026, the United Nations Environment Program awarded Shell the gold standard of reporting under the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, for the third consecutive year.
How is Shell working with others to reduce methane emissions?
How is Shell working with others to reduce methane emissions?
Reducing methane emissions is an industry-wide challenge. Shell works with governments, industry, partners, and civil society to share best practices and help inform policies and regulations. This includes participating in initiatives such as the OGMP 2.0, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) and the World Bank Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership.
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