|
New satellite data show that methane emissions from fossil fuels are rising even faster than the global rebound in oil production. The satellite analysis firm Karryos said that in the Permian Basin, methane emissions rose 33 percent in the first quarter of 2022, and jumped 47 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021.
The report found that “emissions from the Permian, Appalachian and Anadarko fossil fuel basins, accounting for a large share of total US onshore production, reached their highest level in three years in [the first quarter of 2022].” Karryos added that oil and gas field activity indicate that even more methane emissions increases could be in store for the rest of the year.
The report suggests that oil and gas companies may be paying less attention to responsible production as they increase drilling.
Six months ago, more than 100 countries signed on to the Global Methane Pledge, promising to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. But Karryos has tracked 70 “super-emitter” events in the U.S. so far this year—compared to 105 events in all of 2021.
|
At some point, we have to have a two-pronged strategy … much more of a focus on renewables and then cleaning up the damn mess that we’re gonna leave behind. And I gotta tell you, this mess from oil and gas is going to be horrendous.”
