Texas companies look ahead
Climate crisis
Regarding “Tomlinson: Exxon, Aramco CEOs show Big Oil’s arrogance toward climate crisis,” Dec. 8): Chris Tomlinson’s bias got the best of him. Dead set on casting energy executives as villains, he lambastes the oil and gas sector for taking steps to ensure reliability and affordability are prioritized alongside emissions reductions. And what’s worse, he had to actively ignore recent major announcements that demonstrate the important progress these companies are making.
Just two days before Tomlinson’s piece ran, Exxon Mobil announced that its Permian Basin oil and gas operations will be net-zero by the end of the decade. To accomplish that goal, Exxon will cease routine flaring, leverage technologies to aid in carbon capture and methane mitigation and detection, and use renewable energy for electricity production. These are the actions of a company committed to responsibly developing energy to meet growing demand, not one that is “defensive about oil and gas,” as Tomlinson wrote.
And Exxon isn’t alone. Texas producers are making key advancements on important issues like flaring. EOG Resources and Pioneer Natural Resources have committed to the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 program. Apache Corporation announced earlier this year that it had already reached its goal of ending routine flaring in its U.S. onshore operations.
These are just a few examples of how Texas companies are making important investments to achieve environmental goals, while continuing to provide reliable energy here and abroad. To think otherwise overlooks what’s happening across the state.
Ed Longanecker, president of Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association