Summary Project Requirements
Totality’s Greenhouse Gases Abatement Methodology includes an Appendix outlining the Project Requirements. The Methodology is available once an organization has accepted Totality’s Terms of Service and Registry Rules, registered and becomes a Member.
The Methodology currently applies to orphan and/or inactive wells in the State of Texas, USA. Totality is actively reviewing other North American jurisdictions; these reviews begin with the regulatory requirements in state/province for plugging and abandoning wells.
To help a stakeholder decide whether to register, the Methodology, origination of Carbon Credits and general steps for Listing Carbon Credits are summarized below (see the Methodology and Defined Terms for definitive Project Requirements):
The Project Developer (“PD”):
- Identifies an orphan and/or inactive well
- Obtains access rights to evaluate, and conducts a Preliminary Measurement
- Conducts a Measurement Session to collect a well’s emission composition and flow rate to calculate Baseline Emissions Measurement Volumes, and converting such volumes into a Baseline Emissions Carbon Dioxide-equivalent (“CO2e”) using the Global Warming Potential 20-year Factor
- Secures rights from mineral estate to complete a P&A Project
- Submits forms to Government Authority (e.g., Railroad Commission of Texas, or other agencies as applicable) for the P&A Project; and executes a P&A Project
- Conducts a Measurement Session and Reassessment no later than 90 days after P&A Project to measure the Post-Plugging Emissions CO2e Volumes, net of Discount Factors
- Works with a Validation Body who confirms compliance with Project Requirements; and works with a Verification Body who confirms data collection, calculations and related documentation
- Applies to the Registry for Carbon Credits, and upon an issuance or Listing may complete the sale of Carbon Credits to a Registry Member Buyer
The Registry:
- Reviews the Project Developer’s compliance with Project Requirements, particularly the opinions of the PD’s Validation Body and Verification Body
- Approves the Carbon Credits for Listing, or
- Provides feedback to the Project Developer, or
- Rejects the application
- Enables the Transfer, if needed, of the Carbon Credits to a Registry Member Buyer
- Note: a PD may apply and be issued Carbon Credits should it self-perform a Project and not seek the sale of Carbon Credits
- Note: a PD may organize a Project but enable a Registry Member Seller to fund the P&A Project and sell/transfer Carbon Credits to a Registry Member Buyer
- Monitors a Buffer Account that liquidates upon the termination of the 20-year Crediting Period
Totality recognizes that: a) a Project’s sequence among the Project Requirements may differ; b) a Member Buyer and a Member Seller may execute documentation ahead of or contingent upon a Project’s completion and corresponding Issuance or Listing of Carbon Credits; c) Registry Members may enjoy leveraging the draft ancillary documentation created so as to streamline transaction costs (e.g., Surface Use Agreement; Wellbore Adoption Agreement; Carbon Credit Purchase & Sale Agreement; among others).
