MiQ - Methane Intelligence

What MiQ - Methane Intelligence does

MiQ (Methane Intelligence) Foundation is an independent, London-headquartered not-for-profit established in 2020 by RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) and SYSTEMIQ to certify methane emissions performance across the natural gas value chain. The organization operates the MiQ Standard — an independent, quantitative A-F grading framework that evaluates natural gas production on three metrics: methane intensity (with Grade A set at <0.05%), company practices, and methane detection technology deployment. MiQ serves a two-sided market comprising natural gas producers seeking certification, accredited third-party auditors (e.g., GHD, Responsible Energy Solutions, Geosyntec) performing the assessments, and downstream buyers (utilities, LNG importers, industrial manufacturers) who procure certified gas or MiQ certificates to substantiate Scope 1/2/3 emissions claims and comply with emerging methane regulations. As of 2024-2026, MiQ had certified approximately 25% of U.S. natural gas production and roughly 5% of global supply, with customers including Shell, ExxonMobil, bp, EQT, Repsol, Tourmaline, Chesapeake, Seneca, Centrica, Uniper, CF Industries, and Bloom Energy.

The technical platform consists of the MiQ Digital Registry — a secure online ledger operated by subsidiary MiQ Registry Limited that issues, transfers, and retires MiQ Certificates to prevent double-counting — alongside the MiQ-Highwood Index (a measurement-informed national methane intensity benchmark for U.S. gas), the MiQ Equivalency Table (which integrates satellite, aircraft, and continuous methane monitoring data and has been adopted by the U.S. EPA), the MiQ Supply Chain Protocol (an open-source framework based on ISO 14044 LCA principles covering the full natural gas-to-LNG value chain), and the MethaneScout emissions-tracking platform for marketers and end-users. The product suite has expanded beyond natural gas into LNG GHG certification (March 2023), crude oil certification (May 2026), and ammonia certification in partnership with AEA (April 2026).

MiQ's revenue model is explicitly sub-commercial: producer certification fees are described as 'nominal' and registry transaction fees are 'near zero' by design, intended to accelerate market adoption rather than maximize revenue. Income is supplemented by marketplace commissions on certificates traded via CG Hub (the world's first certified natural gas trading platform, developed with MiQ) and Xpansiv's CBL Global Spot Exchange, plus certification and verification services for adjacent verticals. As a not-for-profit foundation, MiQ does not disclose revenue and has no external equity investors or funding rounds on record; the organization's economic engine is structured to maximize certified volume and regulatory adoption rather than near-term financial return.

Name

MiQ - Methane Intelligence

Legal name

MiQ Foundation

Website

https://miq.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MiQ is an independent London-based not-for-profit foundation that certifies methane emissions performance from natural gas, LNG, crude oil, and ammonia production using an A-F grading standard and a blockchain-based digital registry, serving producers, buyers, and regulators globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Certification Services

akta.pro primary industry

ESG/Sustainability Reporting & Disclosure Platforms (EUABAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate & Emissions Data Management (Data Lake, Integration, APIs) (EUABAEAC), ESG Data, Ratings & Climate Benchmarks (FSAFAIAI), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) & Climate Regulatory Compliance (Mandatory Reporting, Cap-and-Trade Compliance) (EUAHABAG)

Keywords

• Methane emissions certification
• Natural gas certification
• Environmental certification standard
• Methane intensity grading
• Oil and gas emissions verification

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Revenue model

1. Producer Certification Fees: Producers pay a nominal fee for certification of their natural gas facilities under the MiQ Standard. Not-for-profit model with low-cost fee structure designed to accelerate market development.
2. Registry Transaction Fees: Ultra-low fee structure for the MiQ Registry used by traders and buyers to transact and retire certified gas at near-zero cost.
3. Certificate Trading (Marketplace): Facilitation of certificate trading via partnerships with trading platforms like CG Hub and Xpansiv CBL Global Spot Exchange.
4. Certification Services for New Markets (LNG, Crude Oil, Ammonia): Expansion into adjacent certification programs (LNG GHG certification, crude oil production, ammonia with AEA) generating certification and verification revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MiQ is an independent not-for-profit foundation that operates the global MiQ Standard for certifying methane emissions performance across the natural gas value chain. The MiQ Standard grades producers from A to F based on methane intensity, company practices, and methane detection technology deployment, with a digital registry that issues, transfers, and retires MiQ Certificates to prevent double-counting and enable GHG reporting.

Product overview

MiQ operates a single, integrated certification platform for methane emissions performance built around a core MiQ Standard, supported by the MiQ Digital Registry (a blockchain-style secure ledger for issuing, trading and retiring MiQ Certificates), the MiQ Supply Chain Protocol, and an emerging suite of data and analytics tools including MethaneScout, the MiQ-Highwood Index, the MiQ Equivalency Table, and calculators for buyers and producers. Its CIRIS and MiQ Scout modules extend reporting and emissions intelligence; joint Equitable Origin EO100 certification and the OGMP 2.0 Level 5 protocol let MiQ-graded methane performance be packaged with broader ESG or regulatory verification schemes, all published against a single A–F grade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MiQ Standard: Independent framework for assessing methane emissions from the production of natural gas and operator practices
• MiQ Registry
• MethaneScout
• MiQ-Highwood Index
• CIRIS

Products and services

• MiQ Standard (Methane Emissions Performance Standard)
• MiQ Digital Registry
• MiQ Certified Supply Chain
• MiQ Supply Chain Protocol
• MiQ-Highwood Index
• MethaneScout
• MiQ Greenhouse Gas Certification for LNG

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces emissions by ~24,123 MT CO2e vs Appalachian basin industry average and ~68,904 MT CO2e vs US national industry average (EQT-Uniper pilot transaction, 20-year GWP)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AEA (Ammonia Energy Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026AEA launched global Ammonia Certification System with MiQ to accelerate the adoption of clean ammonia (April 2026). MiQ contributes certification framework to ammonia value chain decarbonization.
• OGMP 2.0 (Oil & Gas Methane Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025MiQ developed a new protocol in consultation with OGMP 2.0 to verify and certify OGMP 2.0 Level 5 emissions management. The protocol builds on existing international verification schemes and enables issuance of MiQ Certificates based on third-party verification of OGMP 2.0 Level 5 requirements.
• Japan METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) / JOGMECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2025MiQ entered partnership with Japan's METI and JOGMEC, together with IEA, UNEP's IMEO, GIIGNL, EDF to issue Statement to Accelerate Reduction of LNG Supply Chain Emissions. METI and MiQ announced collaboration to verify OGMP 2.0 L5 emissions across LNG import value chains into Japan.
• SensorUpcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 February 2025MiQ signed an MOU with SensorUp to drive innovation in methane reporting and certification. The partnership integrates SensorUp's low-code platform for emissions data with MiQ's certification framework, enabling MiQ-certified companies to streamline MRV processes and meet global emissions regulations.
• Xpansiv (CBL Global Spot Exchange)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 October 2023All certificates on the MiQ registry, including MiQ and Equitable Origin certificates, are available on Xpansiv's CBL Global Spot Exchange, enabling environmental market participants to buy and sell certificates on a transparent global marketplace. Landmark 3.5 million MiQ Methane Certificate Transaction settled on Xpansiv CBL (March 2026).
• CG HubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 June 2023CG Hub is the world's first commodities trading platform focused exclusively on certified natural gas and certified natural gas certificates. Developed in collaboration with MiQ, it supports primary and secondary market trading in natural gas and related certificates certified by MiQ.
• OGCI (Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) - Aiming for ZerocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2022MiQ joined as a supporter of OGCI's Aiming for Zero initiative. MiQ provides operators and stakeholders with the target, tools, traceability, and transparency needed to address near-zero methane leakage commitments.
• RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRMI (along with SYSTEMIQ) established MiQ as an independent not-for-profit foundation. The MiQ Standard was developed in partnership between RMI and SYSTEMIQ to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas industry.
• SYSTEMIQflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYSTEMIQ (along with RMI) established MiQ as an independent not-for-profit foundation. The MiQ Standard was developed in partnership between SYSTEMIQ and RMI.
• Equitable OrigincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiQ and Equitable Origin jointly certify natural gas producers under both MiQ Standard for methane emissions and EO100 Standard for Responsible Energy Development. Joint MiQ-EO100 Certificates are tracked on the MiQ Digital Registry.
• GHD (Auditor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGHD is one of eight auditors accredited by MiQ. Provided independent third-party verification for bp's bpx South Haynesville Facility certification.
• Responsible Energy Solutions (Auditor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent assessment body accredited by MiQ. Performed ExxonMobil's Permian Basin assessment using the MiQ Standard; assessed EQT's performance against both EO100 and MiQ standards; verified Red Cedar's MiQ certification.
• Geosyntec Consultants (Auditor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccredited third-party auditor that conducted an independent audit of Seneca Resources' natural gas operations to assess alignment with the MiQ Standard.
• Carbon Mapper CoalitioncoreTechnology or IntegrationCarbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite data is integrated via MiQ's Equivalency Table. The partnership enables producers to leverage high-quality satellite data for credible methane emissions verification.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) - MethaneSATcoreTechnology or IntegrationEDF's MethaneSAT satellite data is integrated via MiQ's Equivalency Table, enabling producers to incorporate high-quality satellite data into their emissions certification process.
• European Union (EU Methane Regulation)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMiQ certification is positioned as compliance solution for the EU Methane Regulation importer requirements. MiQ is testing with industry and authorities the use of its certification scheme as compliance solutions for EU importers of natural gas and crude oil.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Verra: Operator of the VCS Program, the largest voluntary carbon market standard. Comparable as an adjacent standards body whose registry infrastructure and certification methodology influence how methane and energy-related environmental attributes are issued, tracked, and traded.
• Gold Standard: Established voluntary carbon market standard with strong climate and ESG governance. Comparable as a broader incumbent in environmental certification whose standards and methodologies shape buyer expectations for certified gas and energy-related emission reductions.

Direct peers

• Project Canary: Independent environmental certification and continuous monitoring provider for oil and gas operators, offering TrustWell-rated certifications. Competes directly with MiQ for upstream methane performance verification, particularly in U.S. shale basins.
• Trustwell (formerly SCS Global Services): Third-party certification body that validates environmental and sustainability claims across energy and consumer goods. Comparable as an accredited auditor and certification issuer competing with MiQ's auditor ecosystem for methane and broader ESG claims.
• Equitable Origin: Operates the EO100 Standard for Responsible Energy Development, the closest direct competitor to MiQ in independent natural gas certification. MiQ and Equitable Origin already co-issue joint MiQ-EO100 certificates, confirming direct overlap in scope, customer base, and methodology.
• OGMP 2.0 (Oil & Gas Methane Partnership, UNEP IMEO): UNEP-convened reporting framework for methane emissions management across the oil and gas value chain. MiQ has developed a co-branded protocol to verify and certify OGMP 2.0 Level 5 reporting, indicating it is a parallel standard targeting the same producers, regulators, and methane-reduction goals.

Emerging players

• GHGSat: Commercial satellite operator providing methane detection and emissions intelligence to oil and gas operators. Comparable as a methane-monitoring technology provider whose data integrates via MiQ's Equivalency Table and could be used independently of MiQ certification.
• MethaneSAT (Environmental Defense Fund): EDF's satellite purpose-built to detect methane emissions from oil and gas operations globally. Comparable as a methane-measurement infrastructure integrated with MiQ, and a partial substitute if operators rely directly on satellite-derived emissions data.
• Carbon Mapper Coalition: Non-profit coalition deploying the Tanager-1 satellite for high-resolution methane detection. Comparable as an enabling methane-data provider whose data flows through MiQ's Equivalency Table, but also a potential substitute if producers or regulators accept satellite data directly.

Others

• Xpansiv: Operator of the CBL Global Spot Exchange where MiQ certificates trade. Comparable as an environmental-market infrastructure partner and enabler of certificate liquidity, rather than a direct competitor; also a potential alternative pathway for distributing competing certified attributes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/miq-methane-intelligence
• Xx.com/MiQ_Org

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MiQ - Methane Intelligence