1. Methodology Idea Note
1. Energy (renewable/non-renewable)
CN0107
The proposed new methodology applies to project activities that plug and abandon wells that leak methane into the atmosphere. The project activity entails measuring methane leak rates, abatement of the leak by plugging and abandonment, and ongoing confirmation that the leak abatement is successful.
Call for Interest
Verra is looking for support should the development of this new methodology resume. Please contact methodologies@verra.org and indicate your specific level(s) of interest. Please include the Methodology Development ID# CN0107 in the subject line.
- Funders – stakeholders interested in providing funding to cover costs associated with developing the proposed revision
- Technical Contributors – stakeholders interested in providing professional expertise (in-kind or as a paid consultant) to help draft or prepare content for the revision
- Independent Expert Reviewers – stakeholders interested in serving as an independent expert reviewer once the draft methodology is ready (see Section 3.5: Independent Expert Review of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, 5.0 (PDF)
- General interest – Stakeholders interested in developing projects that this methodology might enable are encouraged to reach out and share their estimates and plans for future project development. This helps Verra to better understand the demand for this proposed new methodology.
Preliminary Public Consultation
Verra has launched a preliminary public consultation to collect feedback to address concerns related to the integrity and market viability of the proposed methodology. Verra is accepting feedback through its digital public consultation platform, which is hosted on the Verra Project Hub. Comments may be submitted electronically via the online form by 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth (UTC-12) on December 31, 2025. If you experience issues using the digital public consultation platform or have feedback on it, please contact hubsupport@verra.org.
- How should flow rate measurement requirements or methods, and crediting period differ, if at all, based on the magnitude of the leak?
- What is the approach that best balances accuracy and conservativeness for incorporating a well’s decline in flow rate over time in the calculation of baseline emissions?
- What is the ideal approach to balance cost/burden with the need to demonstrate the integrity of units generated through monitoring emissions mitigation over time?
- Are the project activities covered by the methodology financially viable without up-front crediting of all emissions mitigation for the entire crediting period at the time of a successful plug? If so, please provide an explanation of how the financing could work based on using incremental, monitored emissions mitigation.
- How can VVBs and Verra Reviewers be assured that the flow rate measurements reported are accurate, performed according to the requirements of the methodology, and have not been tampered with or manipulated to one party’s benefit?
SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENT
- The proposed methodology was originally submitted by Green Generations LLC. and PipeWire Inc.
- In December 2024, Verra put the proposed methodology on hold due to potential risks regarding market viability and limited resources available to support its development.
- In August 2025:
- Verra updated the status of the proposed methodology to Step 1: Methodology Idea Note of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, v5.0 (PDF). The proposed methodology is currently at Step 1.6, where stakeholders are encouraged to express interest in collaborating.
- In Q1 2026, Verra will perform a feasibility assessment based on information received during the preliminary consultation to determine whether to continue developing the proposed methodology.