research and reporting

ExxonMobil is committed to consistent, comprehensive reporting of GHG emissions. We began public reporting of GHG emissions associated with our operations in 1998 and have done so in subsequent years. The American Petroleum Institute has developed a Compendium of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimations Methodologies for the Oil and Gas Industry, which documents calculation techniques and emissions factors for developing GHG emissions inventories for oil and gas industry operations. It serves as the basis for our global calculations, unless local regulations require other methods.

Since 2003, ExxonMobil has reported direct GHG emissions associated with its equity ownership of all interests. ExxonMobil's investments in cogeneration increase our reported GHG emissions, but they lower the emissions of companies that no longer need to produce electric power for ExxonMobil operations. The net impact of the cogeneration investments is an overall reduction in GHG emissions. In our oil, gas and chemical operations, business growth increases our GHG emissions, and we are continuing to make progress on emissions reduction steps to offset the impact of this growth.

Carbon dioxide makes up most of our GHG emissions, and it comes predominantly from our processing operations, including exhaust from combustion units and flares. Our GHG reporting includes emissions associated with the production of oil and gas, the refining of oil products, and the manufacture of petrochemicals. Our GHG inventory also includes emissions from company-operated marine vessels and road tankers. It excludes GHG emissions associated with products sold.