While the United States leads the world in oil and natural gas production, it’s not the largest emitter of methane. Not by a long shot. In fact, North American methane emissions are a fraction of those coming from Asia, according to GHGSat’s latest methane emissions report.
A whopping 69 percent of total methane emissions in 2021 came from Asia.
And even when oil and natural gas methane emissions are singled out, North America’s emissions are a fraction of those in Asia. For perspective, in 2021, Asia emitted about 48 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, compared to just under 12 million MTCO2e that originated in the United States.
U.S. Producers Are Committed to Reducing Methane Emissions
The fact that U.S. oil and gas methane emissions detected in GHGSat’s report were a quarter of those of Asia’s despite the United States leading the world in oil and gas production, is a testament to the investments and innovation taking place across North America to reduce emissions.
For instance, in January, the Railroad Commission of Texas reported record low flaring rates in 2021, noting that “the percentage of natural gas flared in Texas dropped from a previous record low of 0.20 percent in September 2021 to a new record low of 0.19 percent in November.” The report further explained:
“Texas has one of the lowest flaring rates of large oil and gas producing states in the country, with an average rate of flaring that has remained significantly less than 2 percent for more than two years.”
As RRC Chairman Wayne Christian said of the data:
“Report after report shows that Texas is on the right track to reducing and maintaining low levels of flaring. Although the mainstream media often ignores this record achieving accomplishment by government and industry, it’s proof that a cooperative collaboration can bring positive results, and I continue to be proud of the effort and its outcome.”
There is still work to be done to continue to reduce methane emissions, but GHGSat’s report offers some much-needed perspective on the conversation and efforts.
