French energy giant to introduce methane monitoring systems at its facilities in Azerbaijan

French oil and gas company TotalEnergies announced its plan to install methane continuous monitoring systems at all of its production facilities in Azerbaijan by the end of 2025. 

This initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to reduce harmful emissions and transition toward greener, more sustainable energy practices, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Jean-Luc Guizieux, Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production for Europe at TotalEnergies, emphasized that the implementation of these systems is essential to the company’s commitment to reducing methane emissions. "We are confident that the energy sector must take a leading role in cutting emissions from traditional sources like oil and gas, particularly methane," Guizieux stated. "Reducing methane emissions remains a top priority for the coming years."

TotalEnergies had already set ambitious targets to cut its methane emissions by more than 80% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. The company had set an intermediate goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2025. However, Guizieux highlighted that TotalEnergies exceeded this target in 2024, achieving a 55% reduction — a full year ahead of schedule.

"We are proud of the progress we’ve made and have set a new target: to reduce emissions by more than 60% by 2025," Guizieux added. "This is a step toward even further reductions."

The continuous monitoring systems, which will be deployed across TotalEnergies’ global operations, represent a significant technological advancement for the oil and gas industry. By the end of 2025, over 13,000 monitoring devices will be installed, including at the Absheron gas field in Azerbaijan.

“These technologies are already available, and we believe they represent a breakthrough for the entire industry,” Guizieux said. “Constant monitoring will help us quickly identify and address any sources of emissions, including leaks, flare systems, or ventilation emissions.”

TotalEnergies will continue collaborating closely with its Azerbaijani partners to share best practices and solutions for monitoring and reducing emissions. "We are committed to leading the way in ensuring responsibility for our production processes," Guizieux concluded.

By Khagan Isayev