PETRONAS, in collaboration with key players from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  energy sector, government agencies, and international organisations, today launched the ASEAN Energy Sector Methane Leadership Programme 2.0 .

Themed “Turning Capacity into Action”, MLP 2.0 builds on the inaugural Methane Leadership Programme (MLP) that ran from June 2023 to October 2024. It also marks the beginning of a collaboration between PETRONAS and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to establish the Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Centre (METEC).

MLP 2.0 aims to strengthen emissions reduction targets and enhance coordination between businesses and governments, also supporting the Global Methane Pledge signed by over 150 countries, including Malaysia. Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is important as it is one of the most impactful actions that can be taken to achieve climate goals. The ASEAN Ministers during the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting welcomed methane emissions reduction initiatives in the region.

In the first edition of the MLP, oil and gas producing companies in Southeast Asia have been equipped with essential knowledge and resources through workshops and masterclasses covering methane emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification technologies and reduction strategies. The number of MLP members has grown from 13 to 18 since its inception.

MLP 2.0 is also expected to expedite regional collaboration on methane emissions management technology, facilitating demonstrations from partners within and beyond the region. Contributing partners include ASCOPE, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA), , Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), JOGMEC, Methane Guiding Principles (MGP), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan, PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation Limited (PVEP), PT Pertamina (Persero), PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), The World Bank, International Methane Emissions Observatory (UNEP IMEO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Department of Commerce – Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), United States Department of Energy, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Woodside Energy.

This initiative is a critical component of PETRONAS’ Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 Pathway, aligning with its commitments to the United Nations Environment Programme Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) and the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. Recently, PETRONAS achieved the OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard Pathway for the 2023 reporting year.

Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Centre

Under MLP 2.0, PETRONAS will be collaborating with JOGMEC to establish the Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Centre (METEC). The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, the centre will play a significant role in improving regional methane emissions management efforts by supporting experts to oversee measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification processes, as well as research and development initiatives.

METEC aims to be established at two locations in Malaysia – Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP) in Bukit Rakit, Terengganu and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Tronoh, Perak.