A recent study published in the journal Nature has shed light on the alarming scale of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The research, conducted by scientists from Stanford University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and other organizations, suggests that methane emissions from the industry are approximately three times higher than government estimates.

Methane, which is the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. It is estimated to be 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The study utilized airplanes to gather an impressive 986,238 measurements of methane emissions from six domestic oil and gas production areas. This comprehensive data, which includes about half of the country's onshore oil production and 29% of natural gas production, was combined with ground-level information from wells, compressor stations, gas processing plants, and pipelines.

The researchers found that, on average, approximately 2.95% of the gas produced by the industry leaks into the air as methane, nearly three times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) estimate of 1.01%. Specific measurements varied, with some locations in Pennsylvania showing emissions lower than 1%, aligning with EPA estimates, while others, particularly in New Mexico, exhibited levels as high as almost 10%. Notably, the study suggests that areas focused on oil production had higher methane releases, likely due to a lack of infrastructure to transport and sell the less-valuable gas.

The findings challenge the industry's argument against stricter regulations on methane emissions, which claim that drillers have an economic incentive to capture gas leaks for sale. However, this study demonstrates that such capture is not always possible when the necessary infrastructure is inadequate. Overall, the researchers estimate that the industry releases around 6.2 million tons of methane annually, valued at $1.08 billion.

These results mirror previous studies that have also criticized the EPA's underestimation of methane emissions. Accurate measurements are crucial as the United States has pledged to reduce methane pollution as part of its climate goals. In December, the EPA introduced regulations aimed at reducing the industry's methane emissions. However, these rules are currently facing legal challenges from Texas.

Methane emissions from human activities have contributed to about a third of the global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution. The oil industry ranks as the second-largest source of human-caused methane emissions, following agriculture. While overall methane emissions in the U.S. have declined over the years, the world is not on track to limit global warming to the desired 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Despite the undercounting of methane emissions in the past, there is a growing recognition of the issue. More countries, including the U.S. and European Union-led Global Methane Pledge, which represents nearly half of the world's human-caused methane emissions, have committed to cutting emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Additionally, advancements in measurement technology, such as satellites and airplanes, are enabling more accurate and efficient data collection.

Efforts to address the methane emissions problem are already underway. The launch of projects like MethaneSAT, led by the Environmental Defense Fund, and NASA's initiatives provide researchers and the public with a better understanding of the extent of the issue. Tim Gould, the chief economist at the International Energy Agency, expressed optimism about potential reductions in methane emissions in the coming years, thanks to enhanced transparency and improved leak detection.

The study serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgency of addressing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. With greater awareness, continued global collaboration, and decisive actions, there is hope for significant progress in curbing methane pollution and achieving essential climate goals.