Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our oil and gas, chemical and midstream and marketing operations are estimated using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute, supplemented by more detailed, business-specific protocols. CO2 is the predominant component of Oxy’s GHG emissions, and the remainder is methane. Emissions of other GHGs are insignificant. We adjust all GHG compounds to CO2 equivalents based on their reported global-warming potential.
We estimate that Oxy’s share of direct emissions from facilities we operated in 2008 was approximately 10.1 million metric tons* of CO2 equivalents. Our share of indirect emissions (those associated with electricity purchased from off-site suppliers) for facilities we operated in 2008 is estimated at 6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents.
Compared to 2007 values, Oxy’s 2008 emissions estimates reflect a 2.9-percent increase in direct emissions and a 4.4-percent increase in indirect emissions. The net result is a 3.5-percent increase in total equity emissions. By comparison, Oxy’s oil and gas production grew at 5.4 percent in 2008, 50 percent greater than the rate of Oxy’s GHG emissions increase.
*A metric ton is 2,205 pounds.