Does burning natural gas destroy much methane?

Methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases in terms of its contribution to global warming, as well as a major driver of tropospheric ozone formation.

According to a new study by Genevieve Plant of the University of Michigan in the United States and colleagues, the practice of flaring natural gas that escapes from oil and gas wells to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere is much less effective than previously thought.

After air sampling in three regions that account for more than 80% of that kind of burning in the US, the researchers conclude that methane emissions are five times higher than previously thought, and that this is It is due to both emissions from uncombusted flaring and inefficient flaring combustion.

According to industry and government estimates, flaring consumes methane emissions in oil and gas operations with 98% efficiency, but these estimates have rarely been tested with real-world data.

In order to obtain real data, Plant’s team looked at 300 individual flares in three areas of the US, calculating that only 91% of the methane is consumed in these regions and that this is due to poorly burning or unlit flares. .

Equipment capable of measuring methane emissions. (Photo: John Ayers/USGS)

According to the researchers, if these torches remained lit and operated at 98% efficiency, the reduction in emissions would be equivalent to taking 2.9 million cars off the road each year.

The study is titled “Inefficient and unlit natural gas flares both emit large quantities of methane.” And it has been published in the academic journal Science. (Source: AAAS)