Europe’s Oil Majors Boost Efforts to Curb Methane Emissions (1)

Europe’s oil majors joined about 60 other energy companies committing to rein in emissions of methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total SE and BP Plc signed up to the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership, a project driven by the United Nations Environment Program. Their membership underlines the disparity between European majors and their U.S. counterparts, who have faced less intense pressure to cut polluting emissions.

Methane is released both by accident and intentionally during drilling. The warming power of the gas when emitted directly into the atmosphere is more than 80 ...