Eight Energy companies have committed to reducing methane emissions from the natural gas assets they operate around the world, including in the Utica and Marcellus shale plays, according to Penn Energy.

BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Repsol, Shell, Statoil, Total and Wintershall made the commitment as part of wider efforts by the global energy industry to make sure natural gas plays a critical role in meeting future energy demands by addressing climate change now. In addition to reducing their own methane emissions, the eight agreed to encourage others involved in there natural gas industry to do the same.

The companies signed a Guiding Principles document, which focuses on: continually reducing methane emissions; advancing strong performance across gas value chains; improving the accuracy of methane emissions data; advocating sound policies and regulations on methane emissions; and increasing transparency.

Learn more: PennEnergy > Eight energy companies commit to reduce methane emissions within natural gas industry