The MIQ Standard

The MiQ Standard is a standalone framework to assess the methane emissions intensity and carbon (CO2e) intensity at the asset level from each stage of the natural gas supply chain and some stages of the crude oil and natural gas liquids supply chain. The MiQ Standard is followed by MiQ operators and used by accredited, independent auditors to assess an operator's emissions intensity and overall emissions performance.

MiQ Standard Documents

Each MiQ Standard is Linked below and separated by the segment of operation and main product produced.

Onshore Oil & Gas

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Offshore Oil & Gas

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Carbon Intensity
Onshore gas

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Offshore gas

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Carbon Intensity
Gathering, Boosting & Processing

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Transmission & Storage

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Liquefaction, Shipping & Regasification

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Carbon Intensity

  • Onshore Oil and Gas Standard for Petroleum Operations
    For onshore oil and gas production assets that have an overall gas-to-oil ratio by energy of <=9:1
  • Offshore Oil and Gas Standard for Petroleum Operations
    For offshore oil and gas production assets that have an overall gas-to-oil ratio by energy of <=9:1
  • Onshore Production Standard for Natural Gas Operations
    For onshore oil and gas production assets that have an overall gas-to-oil ratio by energy of > 9:1
  • Offshore Production Standard for Natural Gas Operations
    For offshore oil and gas production assets that have an overall gas-to-oil ratio by energy of > 9:1
  • Gathering & Boosting and Processing Standard
    For either gathering & boosting assets, gas processing assets or a combination of both
  • Transmission & Storage Standard
    For long-haul transmission pipeline assets with any natural gas storage facilities included in the asset boundary
  • Liquefaction, Shipping and Regasification Standard
    For both operators of liquefaction facilities and regasification facilities. Subsidiary document 4 also details the standalone requirements of LNG voyages.
  • Carbon Intensity Standard
    For operators of any segment of the natural gas or oil supply chains detailing requirements to calculate emissions from each GHG from an asset, including CO2, CH4 and N2O.

1. Company Practices

The MiQ Standard outlines a list of mandatory company practices that an operator must have in place to be eligible for MiQ Certification. Additionally, it lists several improved policies and procedures which are optional, but necessary in order to qualify for higher MiQ Certification grades.

A producer should be able to provide documentation of their company practices, and be able to demonstrate understanding and effective implementation of these practices by their teams.

The company practices performance criteria have been adapted from voluntary global industry and regulated best practices, as identified in legislation, voluntary programmes, and other technical guidance documents. Where possible, the MiQ Standard aims to align with other existing industry and national initiatives to streamline reporting.

2. Monitoring Technology Deployment

The MiQ Standard requires operators to deploy monitoring technology to detect unintended methane emissions for timely repair or replacement. This is a vital element, as systematic regular surveys are critical to ensure that methane emissions are effectively managed in practice.

The MiQ Standard outlines and requires two levels of monitoring technology deployment – source-level and facility-level surveys. These two levels of deployment intend to capture and provide assurance that smaller component-level leaks as well as large (super-emitter) emissions events are detected and remedied. Deployment at both of these scales is scored based on the frequency and spatial coverage of surveys.
As technologies and associated deployment and quantification methods improve over time, the Standard will be updated to reflect recommended best practices. Equally, as reporting standards such as OGMP are upgraded, MiQ will incorporate findings and align.

Effective deployment of monitoring technologies varies widely depending in part on asset characteristics and technology availability. To promote a technology-agnostic and flexible but rigorous approach to technology deployment, MiQ maintains a list of modeled deployment programs that can be used as evidence during the certification process.

Equivalency Table Equivalency Table Methodology

3. Methane Intensity

In general terms, methane intensity is a ratio of methane emissions relative to natural gas production, which is a baseline indicator of methane emissions performance. The methane intensity is indicative of whether a facility’s design will achieve minimal inherent methane emissions and eliminates, to the greatest degree possible, the potential for fugitive emissions.