The oil and gas industry routinely loses a valuable natural resource – methane – during production by burning it (flaring) or releasing it into the atmosphere (venting). These activities waste a valuable natural resource, contribute to GHG emissions and climate change, and harm human health. These wasteful industry practices must stop, and it is the responsibility of oil and gas companies to ensure they do so. For a detailed explanation on how to effectively reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas industry, you can https://www.essentialtribune.com/methane-emissions-reduction-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry-explained/.
Fortunately, the United States is taking steps to address this problem. President Joe Biden recently announced the Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, which directs the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Land Management and the Minerals Management Service to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The plan also focuses on reducing emissions from landfills, which are the second largest industrial source of methane.
As the world continues to depend on fossil fuels, methane emissions from these wells are increasingly dangerous. In addition to contributing to climate change, methane is a potent respiratory irritant that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing in those with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Methane can also be absorbed through the skin, causing toxic effects on the nervous system.
In Texas, flaring and venting account for a small portion of the state’s oil and gas production. However, in many cases it is the only option available due to a lack of pipeline and processing capacity. Since 2008, flaring in Texas has doubled, increasing from 107 flaring days to 6,972 in 2019. This is despite the fact that the oil price has been high for much of this time.
The BLM and MMS have made progress in addressing this issue. The BLM issued a Waste Prevention Rule in 2016, which reduced the amount of royalty-free flaring during new completions and initial production testing. However, a court invalidated this rule, and the BLM is now re-examining how it might improve air quality regulations to protect human health and the environment.
A recent study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters used satellite images to quantify the emissions of methane from flaring and venting. The researchers compared this data with state and local reported emissions from oil and gas operations. They found that satellite-observed emissions were 15 times higher for fine particulate matter, two times higher for sulfur dioxides and 22 percent higher for nitrogen oxides than what was reported in the U.S. EPA’s National Emissions Inventory.
Currently, the RRC allows operators to flare oil-well gases while drilling and conducting initial well tests for up to 10 days. After the tests are complete, the operator may flare the well for up to 180 days.
The BLM is considering a rule to reduce the volumes of royalty-free flaring during well completions and testing and limit it to only those cases that are unavoidable. In addition, the BLM is evaluating a rule to require that operators monitor and report their emissions, including those from flaring and venting, using a method such as estimation protocols or metering devices.