The findings indicate facility-level methane emissions ranged from less than 1 kilogram per hour to 698 kilograms per hour, while loss rates ranged from less than 0.01 percent to greater than 10 percent. All of the stations with loss rates greater than 10 percent were smaller facilities with lower natural gas throughput.
"This is an exciting study because it is, by far, the largest and most comprehensive data set ever collected on direct methane emissions from the gathering sector. The results point to the gathering sector likely being a notable source of emissions and identify areas where emission reductions can be achieved," said Anthony Marchese, a CSU professor of mechanical engineering who led the study.
The team's findings were published in the journal of Environmental Science & Technology. Researchers are using the measurement data to develop an estimate of total methane emissions from all gathering and processing facilities in the country. The results are expected to be published in the coming months.
Methane Emissions from the Arctic Priced Equal to the World's Economy
Melting sea ice-associated methane emissions come with a price tag of 60 trillion dollars, equalling to the size of the world economy in the year 2010, a new study claims
Melting sea ice-associated methane emissions come with a price tag of 60 trillion dollars, equalling to the size of the world economy in the year 2010, a new study claims
Earth may Reach the Point of No Return If Methane Not Controlled
We may not be many years away from an environmental tipping point - and disaster unless methane is controlled by us as revealed by researchers.
We may not be many years away from an environmental tipping point - and disaster unless methane is controlled by us as revealed by researchers.
