“We don’t know exactly why the methane emissions are higher than what the inventory expects,” he added. “It’s either because of unknown emissions or unreported emissions.”On the Eve of Expansion
“These lease sales have regions of shallow waters that they propose for expanded production that they’re willing to auction off,” said Negron. “We show that if you’re going to expand production of shallow waters, you need to contend with the reality that shallow waters, as currently operated in some places, have a disproportionate climate impact.”
While inventories “typically do pretty well with carbon dioxide,” he noted, because the gas is a function of fuel combustion, methane is more challenging to assess and calls for a different strategy. The study’s findings point to “low-hanging fruit” for emissions reduction, he said. The industry could greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the Gulf by avoiding expanding production on problematic shallow-water facilities or by working to mitigate emissions in these targeted locations by replacing venting with efficient flaring, repairing run-down equipment, or abandoning certain facilities, according to the study.
EPA NOAA