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Page added on September 3, 2018
US Oil and Gas Methane Emissions 60% Higher than Previously Thought
The U.S. oil and gas industry emits 13 million metric tons of the potent greenhouse gas methane from its operations each year, 60 percent more than estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new study published today in the journal Science.
Significantly, researchers found most of the emissions came from leaks, equipment malfunctions and other “abnormal” operating conditions. The climate impact of these leaks in 2015 was roughly the same as the climate impact of carbon dioxide emissions from all all U.S. coal-fired power plants operating in 2015, they found.
“This study provides the best estimate to date on the climate impact of oil and gas activity in the United States,” said co-author Jeff Peischl, a CIRES scientist working in NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Division in Boulder, Colorado. “It’s the culmination of 10 years of studies by scientists across the country, many of which were spearheaded by CIRES and NOAA.”
The new paper assessed measurements made at more than 400 well pads in six oil and gas production basins and scores of midstream facilities; measurements from valves, tanks and other equipment; and aerial surveys covering large swaths of the U.S. oil and gas infrastructure. The research was organized by the Environmental Defense Fund and drew on science experts from 16 research institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Texas Austin.
Methane, the main ingredient of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that has more than 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after its release. The new study estimates total US emissions at 2.3 percent of production, enough to erode the potential climate benefit of switching from coal to natural gas over the past 20 years. The methane lost to leakage is worth an estimated $2 billion, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, enough to heat 10 million homes in the U.S.
The assessment does suggest that repairing leaks and addressing other conditions that result in the accidental release of salrable methane could be effective. “Natural gas emissions can, in fact, be significantly reduced if properly monitored,” said co-author Colm Sweeney, an atmospheric scientist in NOAA’s Global Monitoring Division. “Identifying the biggest leakers could substantially reduce emissions that we have measured.”
6 Comments on "US Oil and Gas Methane Emissions 60% Higher than Previously Thought"
twocats on Mon, 3rd Sep 2018 8:20 am
so much for the “bridge fuel”. by refusing to accept peak oil we’ve simply accelerated the great global BBQ. i guess this is a classic – better to die trying.
so really its movies that have killed us.
Dredd on Mon, 3rd Sep 2018 8:33 am
“US Oil and Gas Methane Emissions 60% Higher than Previously Thought”
Who is referred to in the “Higher than Previously Thought” reference?
IMO it refers to the slow learners.
twocats on Mon, 3rd Sep 2018 8:34 am
between right-wing desires for the dark ages – like ISIS or creationism, global warming, and a lack of resources to maintain existing civilization, the loss of knowledge of our history has begun:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brazil-national-museum-fire_us_5b8cb187e4b0511db3da159a
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_cultural_heritage_by_ISIL
https://www.theroot.com/texas-makes-changes-to-history-textbooks-no-mention-of-1790860433
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/norway-seed-bank-svalbard-frost-upgrade-government-norwegian-latest-a8231361.html
Here we go again on Mon, 3rd Sep 2018 8:41 am
SHOCKED, SHOCKED, I say….who Thought that..
El Cheeto Trump? Doesn’t matter anyway.
Can’t keep almost 8 Billion two legged monsters alive without FF….
Sissyfuss on Mon, 3rd Sep 2018 10:30 am
Wasting $2 billion of nat gas while accelerating the inhabitability of our only home. The intentional ignorance of our species is truly staggering. Lazy minds latch on to an ideology that is comfortable and consonant with their upbringing and will fight any and all threats to their inner homogeneity. Change is thus impossible.
Go Speed Racer on Tue, 4th Sep 2018 12:17 am
We can stop methane gas emissions by
outlawing Taco Bell.
OR at least outlaw the jumbo beef & bean
burrito with extra hot-sauce.
It causes massive releases of methane gas emissions dangerous to the planet.