Methane emissions far exceed official estimates, study finds

A new study highlights the significant underreporting of methane emissions by the oil and gas industry, revealing emissions approximately three times higher than Environmental Protection Agency figures.

Jeff Brady reports for NPR.

In short:

• Researchers used aerial and ground measurements to uncover that the oil and gas sector's methane emissions are nearly triple the EPA's estimates.
• The variance in emissions across regions points to infrastructure and market dynamics influencing leakage rates.
• The study's findings support the push for tighter methane regulations, amidst legal challenges and global commitments to reduce climate impact.

Key quote:

"Emissions of methane from fossil fuel operations remain unacceptably high."

— Tim Gould, chief economist at the International Energy Agency

Why this matters:

Methane's potent climate impact makes these findings a wake-up call. Leaks from oil and gas infrastructure are particularly problematic, as methane can escape from thousands of points along the production chain, from wells to pipelines to storage facilities.