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Performance of Mobile Survey Solutions for Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks Under Different Soil Type and Moisture Conditions - August 1, 2025
This study aimed to evaluate the oft-overlooked effects of subsurface and atmospheric conditions on the success of advanced leak detection solutions. After investigating the probability of detection rates for walking, driving, and simulated UAV detection types the researchers determined that the probability of detection for dry soil conditions at a high leak rate was 2-40% higher than at a low leak rate. They also found that a 0.1 ppm increase in the detection threshold could increase a low leak rate's detection probability by 50-60% under moist soil conditions. This study highlights the need to consider environmental conditions and establish reasonable performance metrics before trying to detect a leak.
International Energy Agency's Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane - May 28, 2025
The IEA produced the first global geographical analysis of biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas, and its untapped potential. RNG's potential, costs, and feedstocks are assessed while taking policies and consumption patterns into consideration. They offer numerous examples of communities in Europe and India who have explored policies and technologies that could aid the injection of biogas directly into the grid, thus dropping the energy grid's climate impact.
Portable Methane Sensor System Using Miniature Multi-pass Cell for Mobile Monitoring of Natural Gas Leaks - May 15, 2025
A new tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) based sensor system was developed that can better detect natural gas leakages due to an open cavity structure that does not require pumps. The small, lightweight sensor system only requires 1.8W of power to operate and was installed on an electric vehicle to validate its mobile monitoring capabilities. Having successfully identified numerous leak detection points in an urban setting, the technology has shown solid reliability that have prompted the researchers to explore the sensors system’s expansive portability applications.
Fugitive Emissions from a Residential Natural Gas System and Appliances Operating on Hydrogen-blended Natural Gas (HBNG) Fuels - April 10, 2025
This study took direct measurements of residential natural gas appliances and their associated pipework to better understand how leak profiles changed or were sustained on various timescales and with varied hydrogen injection percentages. When the researchers used both 5% and 20% hydrogen blends on these installations, they found a decrease in methane emissions from anywhere from 1 - 68%. Overall, the findings suggested that hydrogen-natural gas blends do not leak at significantly greater rate than natural gas alone.
Missing Wintertime Methane Emissions from New York City Related to Combustion - March 19, 2025
The authors of this study explored the consistent underestimation of methane emissions in the New York City metropolitan area by conducting continuous rooftop measurement over 6 winter-to-spring transitions from 2019-2024. They found that local emission inventories underestimated methane emissions, especially in the winter, but not by as much as global and national inventories. They also found that measurements should be taken across the length of the day to avoid statistical biases brought along by consistent diurnal cycles in the urban setting.
A Bayesian Technique for Quantifying Methane Emissions Using Vehicle-mounted Sensors with a Gaussian Plume Model - March 1, 2025
In this study, researchers prioritize the need to consider methane emission estimates in the context of uncertainty, specifically estimates derived from vehicle-mounted sensors. The authors used computational fluid dynamics simulations to support a model-based Bayesian approach that combines atmospheric conditions with Gaussian plume dispersion models. When compared with ground truth emission rates using a truck-mounted TDLAS sensor, the technique was able to predict the true release rate within a 90% creditability interval 90% of the time.
Vehicle–canine Collaboration for Urban Pipeline Methane Leak Detection - January 1, 2025
This study explores the integration of sniffer canines to boost the efficiency of vehicle-based detection systems in expanding distribution pipeline networks. In an expansive leak detection campaign across 20 Chinese cities, sniffer canines were able to pinpoint more than 400 natural gas release sources in leak areas previously identified by detection vehicles. The researchers found that underground steel pipelines and aboveground risers were particularly leak-prone and that this vehicle-canine collaboration could be a promising solution for operators.
Transmission and Distribution Pipeline Leak Identification and Characterization by Walking Survey and Soil Flux Measurements - December 21, 2024
A team of researchers investigated transmission and distribution pipeline right of ways near Pittsburgh, PA and Baltimore, MD by walking survey for fugitive methane leaks. In addition to creating activity factors for the area they investigated, they used a soil flux measurement chamber to quantify total methane emissions on a subset of the leaks. Though done on a small sample size, their activity factor estimate of 1.1 leaks/km is much higher than the GHGI estimate (0.02 leaks/km) for transmission pipelines. Similarly, the 3.5 leaks/km they found on distribution right of ways is orders of magnitudes higher than GHGI estimates for any single material. The authors hope that this study can serve as a model for future activity factor estimations on distribution or transmission systems.
Pipeline Leakage Identification Method-based on DPR-net and Distributed Optical Fiber Acoustic Sensing Technology - December 1, 2024
Using a deep learning approach, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) was employed to enable real-time monitoring of a natural gas pipeline network. In this experiment, optical fiber was laid directly on the pipeline and paired with a one-dimensional DPR-net to overcome the common challenge of signal identification in DAS leakage detection. In tests, the method’s recognition accuracy reached over 99%, prompting future experiments to validate whether DAS could be utilized to remotely identify leaks in densely populated areas.
Pipeline Safety Trust 2024 Conference Replay - November 21, 2024
The Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit public charity promoting pipeline safety, wrapped up their annual conference this past November and uploaded presentations on a variety of topics concerning pipeline safety standards, navigating emergencies, and adapting to new commodities. The conference contained a wealth of information from numerous speakers from PHMSA, the DOT Office of Pipeline Safety, and state public service commissions.
Investigation on the Methane Emissions from Permeation of Urban Gas Polyethylene Pipes Under the Background of Hydrogen-mixed Natural Gas Transportation - November 10, 2024
These researchers investigated the emissions of hydrogen-mixed natural gas when travelling through PE pipes in urban areas. Through molecular dynamics simulations they determined that a pipeline’s pressure has little impact on permeation but that there will be less methane emissions caused by permeation at lower temperatures and higher hydrogen mixing ratios. More real-world experimentation is needed to confirm these simulated findings, but these results do seem promising for limiting leaks hydrogen-mixed natural gas transportation through PE pipes.
Rethinking Natural Gas Infrastructure: How Non-Pipe Alternatives are Shaping Utility Planning - November 6, 2024
A new research article published in Climate and Energy examines the role that non-pipe alternatives (NPAs) may play in meeting emission reduction efforts given the enhanced scrutiny and regulatory mandates met by utilities. The article addresses some supply-side NPAs like renewable natural gas and liquefied natural gas storage, as well as some demand-side NPAs like energy efficiency and demand response programs. Despite the many challenges for implementation, NPAs do present an opportunity to align utility operations with an evolving environmental landscape provided that robust modelling efforts are prioritized that can properly assess potential risks and accurately quantify a project’s benefits.
Methodology and Uncertainty Estimation for Measurements of Methane Leakage in a Manufactured House - July 17, 2024
This recent paper investigated the prevalence of post-meter emissions of natural gas appliances and infrastructure within buildings. Given that methane losses from residential buildings have now been included in national inventories, researchers wanted to help establish a framework for future studies trying to quantify indoor methane losses. Measurements from their manufactured house averaged around .34 grams per day, similar to the .5 g/d found in the Fischer et al. (2018) study. The researchers aim to do more intensive work in the future ideally with different house characteristics (age, location, size) to best inform national inventories.
Ground Surface Conditions Found to Impact Speed and Distance of Leaking Natural Gas - July 16, 2024
A new study from a Southern Methodist University research team found that subsurface natural gas leaks from water/snow saturation or on asphalt paving can cause gas to migrate from the leak site up to four times further than through dry soil. Furthermore, under asphalt, moisture, or snow conditions gas tends to escape to the surface faster and at higher concentrations increasing the safety risk posed to operators.
Documents Show E.P.A. Wants to Erase Greenhouse Gas Limits on Power Plants - May 24, 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency sent a draft of a plan to eliminate all limits on GHGs from coal and gas-fired power plants to the White House for review on May 2nd. The draft could undergo further changes before a public comment period is opened up in June. The proposal has not completed interagency review and has not been published yet but would aim to repeal all GHG emissions standard for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The proposal is likely to face legal opposition if or when it is published in the coming months.
Mark Carney: The Climate and Energy Implications of Canada’s New PM - May 15, 2025
The Liberals ad Prime Minister Mark Carney's victory likely signals a continuation of the Canadian government's support for both clean and fossil energy. In Canada, there seems to be a growing desire to expand their energy infrastructure to reduce their dependence on the United States. One action that aligns with this desire is LNG expansions on the Pacific Coast in British Columbia. IT is somewhat unclear what the new government's position on advancing climate change given the continued support for oil and gas from all major parties.
Congress Votes to Kill Biden-era Methane Fee on Oil and Gas Producers - February 27, 2025
Congress voted to repeal a federal fee on oil and gas producers, the Waste Emissions Charge, that was part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The Congressional Review Act allowed Congress to undo the recently finalized rule that would have forced the largest producers to pay $900 per ton of methane released above a certain threshold in 2024. The EPA estimated that the fee would have reduced around 1.2 million metric tons of methane emissions by 2035. This is the latest in a series of pro-oil and gas measures brought forth in recent months which includes opening applications for new LNG export terminals and declaring a national energy emergency that calls for more oil and gas production.
U.S. Department of the Treasury Releases Final Rules for Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit - January 3, 2025
The Department of the Treasury released final rules for the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit that will provide more clarity and investment certainty for those involved in the recently funded Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. This final guidance is seen as a key step in advancing the U.S.’s domestic clean hydrogen production. 45V will help bridge the cost difference between low-emission and conventional hydrogen production methods. Projects looking to qualify for the largest tax credits will need to use carbon capture technology and ensure that the natural gas they are utilizing has low upstream emissions.
Colorado Eyes Pollution Regulation Expansion on Landfill Methane Emissions - January 3, 2025
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is proposing to implement rules for larger landfills that are more stringent than existing EPA regulations on methane emissions. Some new regulations that are being contemplated include requiring methane capture systems, ensuring sites are compliant with stricter monitoring and reporting requirements, and deploying new alternative monitoring systems that would improve speed and accuracy of detection. Colorado is looking to follow in the paths of California, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington who have all gone beyond what’s required by the EPA to achieve greater emission reductions for their landfills.
EPA Finalizes Rule to Reduce Wasteful Methane Emissions and Drive Innovation in the Oil and Gas Sector - November 12, 2024
On November 12th, the EPA announced a final rule that will allow for a Waste Emissions Charge to be collected from large methane emitters after their emissions exceed specific performance levels. Oil and gas facilities that report emissions greater than 25,000 metric tons of CO2eq per to the GHGRP will be subject to a charge of $900 per metric ton of wasteful emissions above a certain threshold based on the facility’s industry segment. The EPA estimates that the rule will results in cumulative emissions reductions of 1.2 million metric tons of methane through 2035.
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Gas Pathing: Improved Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimates of Liquefied Natural Gas Exports through Enhanced Supply Chain Resolution - November 5, 2024
This study introduces a novel framework that may improve supply chain-specific life cycle assessments (LCAs) for LNG purchased, sold, and transported within the U.S. By using a gas pathing algorithm, the GHG emissions of 138 distinct gas pathways can be more accurately characterized and differentiated. Novel to this approach is that they used recent supply chain measurement data which increased GHG intensities by 41-52% when compared to the standard LNG delivery reference case. These findings drive home the idea that LCAs must include emission measurement integration if suppliers want to accurately differentiate gas pathways.
Hilcorp Energy Company, New Mexico Clean Air Act Stationary Source Settlement
For the first time, an oil and gas producer will be forced to pay a civil penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act, and New Mexico’s Air Quality Control Act. Last month the EPA and the DOJ announced a settlement with Hilcorp Energy Company that includes a $9.4 million penalty for unlawfully emitting methane and other VOCs directly to the atmosphere and not meeting reporting requirements for their well completion operations. This is the first settlement brought forth by EPA’s Mitigating Climate Change National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative which may target other O&G producers in the future who act in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Hybrid Bottom-up and Top-down Framework Resolves Discrepancies in Canada’s Oil and Gas Methane Inventories - October 7, 2024
A new report on Canada’s National Inventory Report showed how a hybrid framework that incorporates independent low-altitude aerial measurements could radically improve official inventories in the country. Using continuous tower-based atmospheric measurements, researchers were able to reduce the discrepancy between measurement-based estimates and emission inventories by nearly 10%, a strategy that could be useful for other nations as well.
IEA, UNEP and EDF Announce Comprehensive Metrics to Report Action and Measure Progress by Oil and Gas Companies on Methane Commitments - September 23, 2024
The three organizations released a comprehensive new framework that urges progress from oil and gas companies in line with targets defined by COP28’s Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. This framework is the first product from the recently announced independent methane accountability initiative. In coming years, oil and gas companies around the world will be assessed on 25 different metrics covering emissions reductions, decarbonization investments, and transparency and public disclosure of emission-relevant information.
New GHGRP Oil and Gas Dashboard for Subpart W - September 15, 2024
The EPA has published a new dashboard that can isolate for trends in Subpart W reporting data since 2016. The data can be visualized for any one of the petroleum and natural gas source categories (e.g., distribution, transmission, or production).
Freedom of Information Act Documents for the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Inventory - May 8, 2025
As a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United States is obligated to submit a national greenhouse gas emissions inventory report by April 15 each year. This year, for the first time in nearly three decades, the U.S. failed to meet that obligation and did not publicly release a greenhouse gas inventory. EDF submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for records related to the EPA’s greenhouse gas inventory. They have now received documents from the EPA through the FOIA process, including the inventory report that the Trump administration had declined to publish.
International Energy Agency's Global Methane Tracker 2025 - May 7, 2025
The IEA recently published their annual report on methane emissions across numerous sectors globally and found that the fossil fuel industry has the greatest potential for immediate reductions in GHG emissions at little or even negative cost to the operator. They believe that more countries need to form real implementation plans that can help to verify real emissions reductions. One interesting change to this year's tracker is that abandoned wells and mines were included for the first time and were found to contribute a significant portion of emissions, larger globally than all but three countries.
Key Technologies in Pursuit of the Decarbonization of the Oil and Gas Industry - March 10, 2025
This study conducted a broad content analysis of 549 Climate Disclosure Project reports from 2013-2022 to better understand the economic performances of decarbonization technologies deployed in the oil and gas sector. They found that Leak Detection and Repair initiatives like implementing IR cameras across the natural gas supply chain has been critical in identifying and mitigating GHG emissions and keeping the goal of 2050 net-zero emissions targets within reach. The researchers also found that regulatory frameworks should look to both standardize the use of these LDAR platforms and better incentivize process optimization to yield the greatest emissions mitigation benefits.
Leveling Up: What the New OGMP 2.0 Data Tells Us - March 15, 2025
A new report from the EDF examines a few key takeaways from the OGMP (Oil & Gas Methane Partnership) 2.0's most recent batch of data showing progress toward methane measurement and abatement. OGMP 2.0 now has more members than ever, with 118 upstream, midstream, and downstream operators reporting in 2023. Coupled with an increase in membership, members companies are also earning higher reporting levels; the highest of which, Level 5, allows for source-to-site level estimate reconciliation. So far, their data has confirmed that incorporating direct measurements into reports provides a more accurate view of the emission landscape than generic emission factors alone. Even with this growth, the partnership could still use more members, particularly independent producers.
EU Privately Talks Emissions Rules with U.S. Gas Firms as Trump Trade War Looms - March 6, 2025
The European Union has been engaging in discussions with U.S. oil and gas exporters in hopes of providing clarity on the new EU methane regulations requiring certain monitoring and emissions requirements. The new regulations are scheduled to be implemented in 2027 and uncertainty surrounds whether the U.S. fuel will meet the monitoring standards. The EU law is not expected to be overhauled completely but the rules could be delayed in the short term to adjust the methane intensity cap language that would complicate importing fees.
Growing Strong: Methane Mitigation Industry Expands Nationwide, Driving Economic Growth and Cutting Emissions - February 18, 2025
A new Datu Research & EDF analysis found that companies providing methane emission reduction services have been growing significantly with nearly two-fold increases in the past decade. GTI Energy was included in the list of Service Firms playing a strategic advisory role. Researchers believe that the methane mitigation industry has been expanding in response to federal regulations, though Colorado and California serve as examples of states that have adopted comprehensive standards for GHG emission reductions and have followed through with policies in recent years confirming their commitments. Other states have embraced mitigation technologies in hopes of avoiding wasted capital that can come in the form of unnecessary flaring and venting.
Biden to Ban Offshore Oil, Gas Drilling in Vast Areas Ahead of Trump Term - January 06, 2025
In the last few weeks of his administration, Joe Biden has elected to ban new offshore oil and gas development off the East and West coasts, parts of Alaska’s Bering Sea, and the east Gulf of Mexico. Much of the 625 million acres included in the ban do not have great prospects of drilling in the future with the move thought to be mostly symbolic in support of conservation goals though any attempted reversal of this ban would likely require an act of Congress. Offshore drilling accounts for 15% of U.S. oil production, a figure that has been falling precipitously in recent decades even as the U.S. became the world’s top oil and gas producer.
Project Selections for Methane Emission Reduction Programs on Oil and Gas Methane Monitoring and Mitigation - December 20, 2024
On December 20th, the EPA and DOE announced approximately $850 million in funding for 43 projects selected for negotiation with the goal of helping small oil and gas operators across the country reduce, monitor, measure, and quantify their methane emissions. Created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Methane Emission Reduction Program was intended to help limit methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations while aligning with the Justice40 Initiative so that at least 40% of overall benefits positively impact disadvantaged communities. GTI Energy was selected as either a prime or sub-recipient on projects in all three areas of interest: (1) Methane Emissions Reduction from Existing Wells and Infrastructure, (2) Accelerating Deployment of Methane Emissions Reduction Solutions, and (3) Accelerating Deployment of Methane Monitoring Solutions.
UN Environment Programme (UNEP): An Eye on Methane 2024 - November 15, 2024
UNEP recently published the 4th edition of their International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) publication which contends that data-driven action on methane mitigation represents a clear opportunity to keep climate goals within reach. UNEP’s IMEO collects data from industry reporting via OGMP 2.0 and from satellites via the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS). UNEP researcher found that better understanding the emissions reporting gap and building capacity for methane action can help the world deliver on the Global Methane Pledge and the Paris Agreement.
Supreme Court Declines to Block Biden Rules on Planet-warming Methane and Toxic Mercury Emissions - October 4, 2024
On October 4th, the Supreme Court turned down a request by Oklahoma and industry groups to repeal EPA regulations from earlier this year that aim to curb methane emissions and oil and gas facilities. Notably, a separate order seeking to block regulations on carbon emissions from power plants remains pending. Litigation against the EPA’s latest regulations will continue in lower courts but the Supreme Court rejecting these cases against the EPA does convey optimism about the agency’s ability to enact and enforce future regulatory actions on coal- and gas-fired power plants.
A Research Agenda Toward Atmospheric Methane Removal - October 4, 2024
The National Academies have published the first part of a 2-phase report exploring the potential of technologies to remove methane from the atmosphere. In this study, they examine the need for removal and assess whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks of deployment. They identify priority areas of research, technologies of interest, and recommend that the U.S. complete a more thorough assessment of the technologies need in the next few years.
EPA, DOE Announce $850 Million to Reduce Methane Pollution from the Oil and Gas Sector - June 21, 2024
In June, the EPA and the Department of Energy opened applications for $850 million in funding for projects predicated on helping to monitor, measure, quantify, and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors. The funding originated from the Inflation Reduction Act and covers a wide range of topic areas including repairing leaks from small operators, enhancing methods of detection/measurement, and improving communities’ access to relevant data and monitoring. GTI Energy plans to pursue some of the funding opportunities across the three separate areas of interest: (1) emission mitigation at marginal conventional wells, (2) field deployment of new methane emissions reduction solutions, and (3) coalescing methane monitoring solutions for impacted communities and regional emissions characterization.
Sevenfold Underestimation of Methane Emissions from Non-producing Oil and Gas Wells in Canada - April 29, 2025
Researchers investigating non-producing wells across Canada found that they were producing nearly 7 times higher than estimated by Canada's National Inventory Report. Given these new figures, they estimate the non-producing wells alone account for 13% of total fugitive emissions from Canadian oil and natural gas systems. Further research and direct measurements of other non-producing wells might be able to help operators prioritize which wells are most harmful to the environment and nearby communities.
Relating Multi-Scale Plume Detection and Area Estimates of Methane Emissions: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis - April 16, 2025
Plume detection and area-scale estimation methodologies are rarely cross-integrated, but this study aimed to do just that despite the irregular sampling patterns and differing spatial resolutions. To do this they evaluated O&G emissions data from the Permian Basin within a Bayesian assimilation framework. This group's theoretical framework proves that plume observations from aircraft or satellites, when robust enough, have the potential to enhance area-scale methane emission estimate for the O&G sector.
Operational Implications of Transporting Hydrogen via a High-pressure Gas Network - April 1, 2025
A new model was developed to simulate hydrogen transportation on existing high-pressure natural gas pipeline networks. The simulation considered pressure levels, linepack levels, compressor energy consumption, and component tracing analysis across 5 scenarios ranging from pure natural gas to pure hydrogen scenarios projected out to 2050. Researchers found that 20% volumetric hydrogen injections would not significantly impact network operations though hydrogen percentages may be geographically variable depending on the injection points. However, pure hydrogen transportation could require nearly 4 times the compressor energy consumption currently seen on high-pressure pipelines and would likely have less within-day flexibility.
Examining Daily Temporal Characteristics of Oil and Gas Methane Emissions in the Delaware Basin Using Continuous Tower Observations - March 19, 2025
Many studies use observations that bias basin-wide emission estimates towards hours when worktime activity occurs. This study evaluated the Delaware basin from a tower network that analyzed hourly temporal emission patterns. Interestingly, they found that daytime-influenced methodologies may overestimate daily emission rates by up to 27% - although this alone cannot account for the nearly 200% different between inventory and top-down estimates. This study shows that bottom-up estimates based on continuous measurement networks could be more effective when coupled with detailed activity data.
Soil Plays Crucial Role in Breaking Down Methane from Leaking Legacy Wells - March 3, 2025
Tests near a decommissioned petroleum well in British Columbia showed evidence of large amounts of methane being oxidized by microbes in the soil and converted to carbon dioxide, nearly 28 times less potent a greenhouse gas. Researchers modeled that summer months would provide optimal conditions for soil uptake, converting nearly 90% of the leaked methane to carbon dioxide. This finding also further clarified which bacteria are crucial to the methane-conversion process and may reduce the climate impact of leak-prone oil and gas wells in the future.
Small Emission Sources in Aggregate Disproportionately Account for a Large Majority of Total Methane Emissions from the U.S. Oil and Gas Sector - February 4, 2025
Despite numerous satellite and aerial remote sensing-based studies promoting the importance of targeting methane “super-emitters”, this study found that methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are dominated by small emission sources across the U.S. Researchers in this study focused on low limits of detection to create facility-level estimates and estimated that 70% of total methane emissions originated from facilities emitting less than 100 kg/h, with 30% coming from facilities emitting less than 10 kg/h. The study does not conclude that that large emitters should be ignored, but rather that for overall mitigation to be optimally sufficient, policies should properly regulate the large contribution of emissions from small sources as well.
Quantifying Emissions of Natural Gas Storage Tanks in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area - January 15, 2025
Methane plumes from compressed and liquified natural gas storage tanks in Los Angeles were surveyed and quantified to better estimate fugitive emissions inherent to natural gas’ total life cycle emissions in the transportation sector. Researchers converted methane plume observations into emissions rates and found numerous storage facilities with estimated rates higher than expected maximum allowable rates. These initial findings suggest the need for more robust leak monitoring and repair programs though more observations are needed to confirm that conclusion.
2024 LNG Export Study: Energy, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of U.S. LNG Exports - December 17, 2024
A long-anticipated study evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of LNG exports was released December 17th nearly a year after LNG export approvals were paused due to the uncertainty of LNG’s climate impacts. The administration analyzed various scenarios dependent on possible domestic and international climate policies and implemented technologies. While U.S. natural gas supply was found to be sufficient to support LNG demand, an unconstrained LNG export scenario could risk intense increases on greenhouse gas emissions. The study is meant to better inform the Energy Department’s decision on whether or not to allow new LNG export permits.
Using Measurement-Informed Inventory to Assess Emissions in the Denver-Julesburg Basin - December 10, 2024
Researchers in this study attempted to reconcile emissions estimations from annual inventories and aerial surveys. This new methodology of using failure events to create more accurate measurement-informed inventories was tested in the Colorado Denver-Julesburg basin. When measured emissions from failure events logged by Carbon Mapper were incorporated in inventories, an additional 16.4% of emissions were seen that had previously been left unaccounted for. A larger scale study done within other regions may help to prove that many of the annual inventories are likely underestimating total emissions.
Evidence of Successful Methane Mitigation in One of Europe's Most Important Oil Production Region - December 6, 2024
A follow-up airborne remote sensing campaign in southern Romania revealed a large decrease in super-emitter activity after two years of emission reduction efforts. In total, there was anything from between 20% and 60% emission reduction in the region likely due to improved production infrastructure after the first measurement campaign. This study highlights the importance of measurement-based emission monitoring that can both alert producers of a problem and help confirm mitigation efforts through both ground-based observations and large-scale airborne mapping.
First Investigation of Long-Term Methane Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Using Satellite Remote Sensing - November 26, 2024
Wastewater treatment plants are plagued by a large uncertainty in emissions estimation due to a sever lack of measurement data. Many existing methods for estimation only take snapshots which then have to be extrapolated and often cannot account for the temporal nature of many fugitive emissions. Here, researchers attempted to process satellite images of a wastewater treatment plant in Calgary, Canada to extract time-variations of methane emissions. They found numerous emission hotspots aligning with ground-based measurements that relay the potential of using satellite images to cost-effectively reduce uncertainty in wastewater treatment greenhouse gas emissions.
MethaneSAT Project Update: Latest Images Demonstrate MethaneSAT's Unique, Powerful Capabilities - November 16, 2024
The Environmental Defense Fund’s MethaneSAT recently released high resolution images from the Appalachian, Permian, and Unita Basins in the US as well as other basins in Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Early observations suggest that emissions in these production basins are significantly higher than current inventories estimate, likely caused by a large amount of smaller emissions dispersed across wide areas of the basin. The satellite was even able to detect emissions in cloud cover due to its wide swath and high spatial-resolution measurements.
Carbon Mapper Data from the Tanager-1 Satellite Reveals Methane and Carbon Dioxide Super-emitter Activity Around the World - November 15, 2024
3 months ago, Carbon Mapper’s Tanager-1 satellite was launched into orbit, and since then it has been undergoing instrument calibration and data validation during its commissioning phase. Interestingly, the satellite had its first verified methane mitigation action on October 9th when the Carbon Mapper team noticed and reported a large plume coming from a gathering pipeline in the Permian Basin. The operator quickly responded and conducted repairs on the asset with follow-up observations from Tanager-1 confirming that the leak was fixed. Carbon Mapper will look to scale up observations in coming months and make its CO2 and methane collection data routinely accessible to the public.
New Map Helps Show Significant Methane Pollution from Municipal Landfills - September 30, 2024
The Environmental Defense Fund analyzed TROPOMI satellite data on landfills and published a new map, linked here, that shows the scale of the 1,100 municipal solid waste landfills in the United States. As the third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions, numerous groups have lobbied the EPA this past year for more comprehensive monitoring standards and the use of gas collection systems. EDF also hopes for more updated data on landfill emissions in coming months after the launch of MethaneSAT in March.
Unlocking Solutions: Innovative Approaches to Identifying and Mitigating the Environmental Impacts of Undocumented Orphan Wells in the United States - September 29, 2024
Many of the abandoned orphan wells throughout the United States are undocumented and little is known about their toxicity, emission profile, or basic characteristics. These authors surveyed the existing literature and found an urgent need to develop and implement methods like machine learning, acoustic sensing, and concentration mapping to serve as cost-effective methods for determining a well’s location. Outreach with state and tribal governments would also provide more clarity and be instrumental in addressing the environmentally-costly orphan well problem.
Transforming Pneumatic Methane Emissions Mitigation While Leveraging IRA Energy Credit - September 20, 2024
Recent Quad O regulations, made effective in May 2024, have begun to impose stricter restrictions on natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers in onshore oil and gas operations. Two case studies are used that compare existing solutions like compressed instrument air, vapor recovery units, and solar-powered instrument air compressors and pumps. In the case studies, new financial incentives like those present in the Inflation Reduction Act make transitioning to sustainable technologies much more economically feasible in the short-term.
New Data Show U.S. Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Over Four Times Higher than EPA Estimates, Eight Times Greater than Industry Target - July 31, 2024
New aerial measurements gathered by MethaneAIR of sites accounting for 70% of onshore contiguous U.S. oil and gas production found methane emission rates four times higher than EPA estimates. Methane loss rates observed across 12 basins are 8 times higher than emissions intensity targets announced at COP28’s Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. Individual oil/gas basins’ loss rates vary from less than 1% to nearly 8% of gross gas production due to numerous factors including the age of the facilities, company operating practices and oil versus gas production. The Environmental Defense Fund hopes that continuous high-resolution measurements from remote sensing tools like MethaneAIR and MethaneSAT can help inform future policy and be integrated into national estimates like the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
EPA and Justice Department Announce $241.5M Settlement with Marathon Oil to Reduce Climate- and Health-Harming Emissions in North Dakota - July 11, 2024
Marathon has been levied a civil penalty of $64.5 million due to Clean Air Act violations at 90 of their North Dakota facilities. It is the largest ever penalty incurred by an O&G operator and mandates that they implement extensive compliance measures at their 200 facilities across the state. This settlement is one of the most significant to date brought by the EPA’s climate enforcement initiative and this agreement will result in the equivalent of over 2.25 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next five years.