Oil and Gas Industry Explained is a series where Megan Crain breaks down the fundamentals of the industry's roles and responsibilities.
Step one: What is it?
Methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG) which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat within the Earth’s atmosphere. It breaks down chemically over the course of about 20 years...into carbon dioxide. It presses fast forward on current heating, and contributes to future heating.
Methane is what we know commercially as natural gas. According to Statista, global natural gas production in 2023 was close to 4.08 trillion cubic meters.
Step two: Why is it bad?
In addition to contributing to global warming at an alarming rate, methane is also responsible for most ground-level (troposphere) ozone formation. Ozone significantly damages crop function, more than any other airborne pollutant. High ozone levels are also associated with long-term damage to lungs, leading to childhood asthma. Caddo Parish in Louisiana, for instance, is home to the Haynesville Shale production boom, which has led to the highest concentration of ozone in the state. It is also home to the highest age-adjusted rate of emergency room visits for childhood asthma of the 64 parishes in the state. Thus, decreasing methane emissions not only supports climate goals, but also reduces ground-level ozone formation, leading to lower rates of death, less childhood asthma, and increased crop yields.
Step three: What can the oil and gas industry do about it?
Current efforts to target methane emissions in the oil and gas industry for reduction stem from two underlying facts: Excess atmospheric methane plays several particularly egregious roles in the Earth’s atmosphere, and currently available technology within the oil and gas industry exists to reduce its prevalence. In other words, there’s a problem, and we can do something about it.
Well plugging
When a well is no longer active it needs to be properly plugged and abandoned (P&A) in order to ensure it will not continue emitting greenhouse gases or, in worse cases, cause under ground contamination of fresh water sources. A well must be properly plugged with concrete and monitored over time for cracks and leaks.
Methane detection and mitigation
Methane is indetectable by the human eye. Traditionally, methane is detected using the detergent bubble test but new technology allows us to us catch methane leaks - methane can escape from fittings and valves or any other components of a well or land pipelines - with an OGI (Optical Gas Imaging) camera.
Monitoring
Oil and gas wells are mechanical pieces of equipment subjected to physical pressures, chemical processes, and just general wear and tear. Bolts loosen just as easily on an oil and gas well as your kitchen sink (if not more). Expect and plan for routine maintenance. This task should and does require plenty of well trained workers. We wouldn't expect a satellite to detect and fix a leak in your toilet any more than one of these wells. (Although, satellites can help us see pinpoint large leaks). There's too many rivets and seams. It will require people bending over, crouching down, and inspecting wells and transportation infrastructure from every which angle.
Read more here about the jobs that will be needed to deal with methane emissions in the oil and gas industry.
Dig Deeper - More resources on methane in the oil and gas industry
True Transition's report, Addressing Methane Emissions in Louisiana: How Many Jobs Will it Take? https://www.truetransition.org/m
Ohio River Valley Institute's report, Addressing Methane Emissions in Appalachia - https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/addressing-methane-emissions-in-appalachia/
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