WorldWide Drilling Resource

51 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2015 Oil and Gas Industry Successfully Reduces Methane Emissions Adapted from Information by the American Petroleum Institute and the University of Texas A major field study by the University of Texas sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund and natural gas producers found methane emissions from development and production of natural gas are down from previous studies. The findings show the industry is leading in its efforts to reduce emissions, according to the Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs for the American Petroleum Institute (API) Howard Feldman. “Study after study shows that industry-led efforts to reduce emissions through investments in new technologies and equipment are paying off,” Feldman said. “This latest study shows that methane emissions are a fraction of estimates from just a few years ago. The industry will continue to make substantial progress to reduce emissions voluntarily and in compliance with EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations... Methane is natural gas, so capturing more methane is help- ing operators deliver more natural gas to consumers.” The study revealed methane emis- sions are 10% lower than what the same research team found in a study released in September 2013. The EPA recently observed methane emissions from hydraulic fracturing have fallen by 73% since 2011. The industry continues to improve environmental stewardship as it maintains the country’s leading position as the top producer of natural gas in the world. “The oil and natural gas revolution is driving unprecedented job growth, providing Americans with affordable energy, and helping to reduce emissions. In fact, safe and responsible development of energy from shale has helped the U.S. cut CO2 emissions to near 20-year lows,” stated Feldman. The University of Texas at Austin and environmental testing firm URS measured methane emissions at nat- ural gas production sites throughout the United States. Photo courtesy of engr.utexas.edu 3"- 0)'! +#0* /'! /,,). '+ ./,!( '4#. 6 /, 6 +(. ,1* + 13 -"#+ ))#3 5 2 - 0!&*$% !,* 5 - 0!&*$% $-,+/'#-+#/ !,* ,"#) '4#. /#+/ + " #+"'+% )' ) % ) ' # *# $ ' : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 % ( ) ' ) '%# : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 ' $ + *#&( $ )% ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 24 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : -4 4-8* 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*:>> ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4-3/*:>> > ! ! ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? '%*) *#& * ") * *#&( : &52 73/*: ! ! : -/9*// 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &52 : 73/*: ! ! '#()'%$ $ % $ "% 6, "64**6 = 2(&,216&5 $" < 2745 &;5 & %**. = &: %&665 $" &1&)& 62 21)&; 4-)&; "** 274 %*' &+* 999 &4056421+0&(,-1* (20 0&-/ ))4*55 &0(- &4056421+0&(,-1* (20