Key Topics
Policy Guidelines, Key Messages and Resources
Key Topics
Policy Guidelines, Key Messages and Resources
IOGP brings together the collective expertise of our industry to tackle shared challenges and to help ensure that the oil and gas the world needs today is produced safely, responsibly, and efficiently, with lower emissions.
This deep expertise positions us as a credible voice that can make a positive contribution towards regulators and policy makers – helping shape decisions that matter.
These narratives summarise IOGP’s messaging on key global topics and showcase the resources and contributions we provide, to support our Members and inform the wider public.
Clear, stable, and predictable public policies and regulations are essential to attract investment, foster innovation, and maintain public trust.
Any regulation of our industry should be proportionate, efficient and implementable.
IOGP believes policy frameworks should generally align with the following guiding principles:
- Technology-neutrality: Policies must enable all technologies to compete on a level playing field, focusing on outcomes rather than prescribing solutions.
- Flexibility: Policies should adapt to evolving technologies and regional circumstances while also promoting transparent market conditions.
- Fact-based: Decisions must rely on robust data, scientific evidence, and transparent regulatory impact assessments.
- Proportionality: Regulatory measures should be balanced against their economic, social, and environmental costs promoting economic growth and improving living standards to avoid disproportionate burdens.
- Systems approach: To support implementation, societal buy-in, and delivery of desired outcomes, the system-wide and societal impact of policies should be assessed to anticipate unintended consequences, trade-offs, and opportunities across sectors and communities.
- Collaboration and shared learnings: Policymakers, industry, and stakeholders must work together, exchanging best practices to accelerate progress.

Health & Safety
Focusing on the health and safety of the oil and gas industry workforce and surrounding communities.

Energy Efficiency in Oil & Gas Operations
Drive increased efficiency in energy use and reduced waste across oil and gas activities

Methane Emissions Reduction
Advancing detection, quantification, and mitigation technologies and practices, including involvement in the development of ISO standards, specifically targeting methane emissions reduction, supporting global climate initiatives whenever possible

Elimination of Routine Flaring
Eliminating routine flaring of natural gas

Carbon Capture, and Storage (CCS)
Promoting policy and investment frameworks that support deployment at scale, including regional hub development

Role of Gas
Supporting the role of natural gas, LNG resources, and other low-carbon gases as part of a diverse energy mix to reduce emissions

Just Energy Transition
Enabling the shift to a lower-emissions energy system that considers communities and other stakeholders, is economically viable, and achieves a balance between sustainability, security of supply, and affordability.

Energy Trilemma
Supporting solutions that encompass the three pillars: energy security and reliable supply; affordability and accessibility; and sustainability.