Learn more and download slides at [ Ссылка ]
Table of contents: [ Ссылка ]
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that gas leaks from this sector are responsible for 29 percent of U.S. methane emissions, although some think this estimate is low. Methane is a powerful climate warming pollutant – at least 84 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it is emitted. Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector occur in every segment of the industry, from production sites to distribution systems. Estimates of how much leakage is occurring continue to be refined, meanwhile there are a range of technologies that could lead to substantial reductions in methane emissions.
Speakers:
Amanda Staudt
Director of the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate and Polar Research Board
National Academy of Sciences
Download Slides: [ Ссылка ]
View presentation: [ Ссылка ]
Elgie Holstein
Senior Director for Strategic Planning
Environmental Defense Fund
Download Slides: [ Ссылка ]
View presentation: [ Ссылка ]
David Doniger
Policy Director and Senior Attorney
Natural Resources Defense Council
Download Slides: [ Ссылка ]
View presentation: [ Ссылка ]
Michael Obeiter
Senior Associate, Energy & Climate
World Resources Institute
View presentation: [ Ссылка ]
Brent Lammert
Vice President Sales, Test Equipment
FLIR Systems, Inc.
Download Slides: [ Ссылка ]
View presentation: [ Ссылка ]
This briefing discussed the current state of research on methane leakage, technologies to detect and reduce emissions, policy and regulatory options, and business implications and opportunities
Earlier this year, the Obama administration released its “Climate Action Plan: Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions,” which called for improved methane measurement and reduced emissions across several sectors, including oil and gas operations. The EPA subsequently released a series of white papers on methane leakage reduction options for the oil and gas sector in order to solicit input from independent experts, and is now evaluating options for achieving further reductions from this sector. The agency’s current standards for this sector apply only to certain equipment installed after 2012, do not apply to transmission or storage facilities, and do not apply to emissions from the thousands of oil wells being completed each year. The Bureau of Land Management is also expected to propose updated standards to cut wasted natural gas by reducing venting, flaring, and other emissions from oil and gas production on public lands. A recent poll conducted by Benenson Strategy Group found that among likely 2014 general election voters in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Utah, 69 percent would support a rule that would “require oil companies to significantly reduce the amount of natural gas they release or burn off into the air when they extract oil from public lands.”
