Methane Emissions Are Understated

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that methane emissions from oil and gas development are significantly higher than previously estimated, but that rise in global emissions can't be attributed ot fossil fuel sources.  According to NOA and the University of Colorado, fossil fuels account for 20% to 25% of global methane emissions which equates to 20% to 60% more than prior studies indicate.

While the increases cannot be attributed to oil and gas facilities, significant increases in production have overcome a 6% reduction in leaks down to 2% overall.  Infrastructure repairs are a "very effective short-term way to reduce emissions" according to NOAA.

The ability to distinguish between methane emissions allows scientists to attribute emissions to different sources and in doing so determined that oil and gas development isn't directly responsible for the increase in methane emissions.  “We believe methane produced by microbial sources — cows, agriculture, landfills, wetlands and fresh waters — are responsible for the increase, but we cannot yet pinpoint which are the primary drivers” according to Stefan Schwietzke the lead author.