2013 EDF study:
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{{#badges: FrackSwarm|Navbar-fracking}} Natural gas is often considered cleaner than coal because it releases about half as much carbon dioxide when it is burned in power plants, and fewer pollutants per unit of energy. Natural gas, however, is composed primarily of [[methane]], which may leak into the atmosphere during production.
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{{#badges: FrackSwarm|Navbar-fracking}} Natural gas is often considered cleaner than coal because it releases about half as much carbon dioxide when it is burned in power plants, and fewer pollutants per unit of energy. Natural gas, however, is composed primarily of [[methane]], which may leak into the atmosphere during
and after
production
("upstream" emissions are those produced at the well site, "midstream" from processing, and "downstream" from gas storage, transmission, and distribution
.
Gas wells that lose their structural integrity may also leak methane.)
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Methane has a
[[
global warming
]]
potential at 21 times that of carbon dioxide, averaged over 100 years, in the IPCC Second Assessment Report (in 2013 the EPA [https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2013-06093.pdf proposed] increasing the number to 25). Critics note that, when compared based on immediate effects, any methane released today is at least 56 times more heat-trapping than a molecule of carbon dioxide.<ref>Jason Mark, [http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/methanes_contribution_to_global_warming_is_worse_than_you_thought/ "Methane’s Contribution to Global Warming is Worse than You Thought,"] Earth Island Journal, August 20, 2012.</ref>
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Methane has a
"
global warming potential
"
at 21 times that of carbon dioxide, averaged over 100 years, in the IPCC Second Assessment Report (in 2013 the EPA [https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2013-06093.pdf proposed] increasing the number to 25). Critics note that, when compared based on immediate effects, any methane released today is at least 56 times more heat-trapping than a molecule of carbon dioxide.<ref>Jason Mark, [http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/methanes_contribution_to_global_warming_is_worse_than_you_thought/ "Methane’s Contribution to Global Warming is Worse than You Thought,"] Earth Island Journal, August 20, 2012.</ref>
Some argue that natural gas is a good "bridge fuel" to carbon-free energies because it can be used in peaker plants to balance out the intermittency of renewables like solar and wind until they reach larger capacity.<ref>[https://ir.citi.com/586mD+JRxPXd2OOZC6jt0ZhijqcxXiPTw4Ha0Q9dAjUW0gFnCIUTTA== "Shale & renewables: a symbiotic relationship: A longer-term global energy investment strategy driven by changes to the energy mix,"] Citi, September 12, 2012.</ref> Others argue that methane leakage makes gas a "gangplank to more warming and away from clean energy investments."<ref>Anthony Inagraffrea, [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/opinion/gangplank-to-a-warm-future.html?_r=0 "Gangplank to a warm future,"] NY Times, July 28, 2013.</ref>
Some argue that natural gas is a good "bridge fuel" to carbon-free energies because it can be used in peaker plants to balance out the intermittency of renewables like solar and wind until they reach larger capacity.<ref>[https://ir.citi.com/586mD+JRxPXd2OOZC6jt0ZhijqcxXiPTw4Ha0Q9dAjUW0gFnCIUTTA== "Shale & renewables: a symbiotic relationship: A longer-term global energy investment strategy driven by changes to the energy mix,"] Citi, September 12, 2012.</ref> Others argue that methane leakage makes gas a "gangplank to more warming and away from clean energy investments."<ref>Anthony Inagraffrea, [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/opinion/gangplank-to-a-warm-future.html?_r=0 "Gangplank to a warm future,"] NY Times, July 28, 2013.</ref>
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====EPA reports====
====EPA reports====
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In 2011, the EPA released a [http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/epa-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-from-the-petroleum-and-natural-gas-i greenhouse gas report on natural gas] that doubled its previous estimates for the amount of [[methane]] gas that leaks from loose pipe fittings and is vented from gas wells.<ref name=pp>[http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-doubt#methane_correx "Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated"] ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011.</ref> Using the small data available from the oil/gas industry so far, EPA estimated that 2.8 percent of gas produced from a well each year leaks.<ref name=gv/> Oil/gas companies and [[Devon Energy]], in particular, have criticized EPA for relying on what they say is a small, outdated sample with data gaps.<ref name=gv/> In May 2012 the [[American Petroleum Institute]] released a study which stated that the EPA’s greenhouse-gases inventory released in 2011 “substantially increased estimates of methane emissions from petroleum and natural-gas systems.”<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-04/obama-s-epa-overstates-pollution-from-gas-fracking-groups-say.html "Obama’s EPA Overstates Pollution From Gas Fracking, Groups Say"] Katarzyna Klimasinska, Bloomberg, June 4, 2012.</ref>
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In 2011, the EPA released a [http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/epa-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-from-the-petroleum-and-natural-gas-i greenhouse gas report on natural gas] that doubled its previous estimates for the amount of [[methane]] gas that leaks from loose pipe fittings and is vented from gas wells.<ref name=pp>[http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-doubt#methane_correx "Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated"] ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011.</ref> Using the small data available from the oil/gas industry so far, EPA estimated that 2.8 percent of gas produced from a well each year leaks
(combining both conventional and unconventional wells)
.<ref name=gv/> Oil/gas companies and [[Devon Energy]], in particular, have criticized EPA for relying on what they say is a small, outdated sample with data gaps.<ref name=gv/> In May 2012 the [[American Petroleum Institute]] released a study which stated that the EPA’s greenhouse-gases inventory released in 2011 “substantially increased estimates of methane emissions from petroleum and natural-gas systems.”<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-04/obama-s-epa-overstates-pollution-from-gas-fracking-groups-say.html "Obama’s EPA Overstates Pollution From Gas Fracking, Groups Say"] Katarzyna Klimasinska, Bloomberg, June 4, 2012.</ref>
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In an April 2013 report on greenhouse emissions, the EPA said that tighter pollution controls instituted by the industry resulted in an average annual decrease of 41.6 million metric tons of methane emissions from 1990 through 2010, or more than 850 million metric tons overall -- a 20 percent reduction from previous estimates.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Fracking-gas-leak-estimates-lowered/tabid/1160/articleID/295881/ |work=3 News | place = NZ |title= Fracking gas leak estimates lowered| date=April 29, 2013}}</ref> The agency estimated that methane leaks from gas drilling amount to 1.
5
percent, "based on industry guesses, and the recent application of new pollution-control technologies," as stated by the Christian Science Monitor. Critics argue the EPA has been under pressure by the gas industry concerning fracking regulations.<ref>Richard Schiffman, [http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0623/Methane-leaks-of-shale-gas-may-undermine-its-climate-benefits "Methane leaks of shale gas may undermine its climate benefits,"] Christian Science Monitor, June 23, 2013.</ref>
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In an April 2013 report on greenhouse emissions, the EPA said that tighter pollution controls instituted by the industry resulted in an average annual decrease of 41.6 million metric tons of methane emissions from 1990 through 2010, or more than 850 million metric tons overall -- a 20 percent reduction from previous estimates.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Fracking-gas-leak-estimates-lowered/tabid/1160/articleID/295881/ |work=3 News | place = NZ |title= Fracking gas leak estimates lowered| date=April 29, 2013}}</ref> The agency estimated that methane leaks from gas drilling amount to
[http://static.berkeleyearth.org/memos/epa-report-reveals-lower-methane-leakage-from-natural-gas.pdf about
1.
65
percent
]
, "based on industry guesses, and the recent application of new pollution-control technologies," as stated by the Christian Science Monitor. Critics argue the EPA has been under pressure by the gas industry concerning fracking regulations.<ref>Richard Schiffman, [http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0623/Methane-leaks-of-shale-gas-may-undermine-its-climate-benefits "Methane leaks of shale gas may undermine its climate benefits,"] Christian Science Monitor, June 23, 2013.</ref>
====2011 Cornell study====
====2011 Cornell study====
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In September 2012 researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado in Boulder reported preliminary results from a field study in the Uinta Basin of Utah suggesting methane leakage of up to 9% of total gas production, nearly double the cumulative loss rates estimated from industry data. The NOAA researchers collected their data in February 2012 as part of a broader analysis of air pollution in the Uinta Basin.<ref>Jeff Tollefson, [http://www.nature.com/news/methane-leaks-erode-green-credentials-of-natural-gas-1.12123#/ref-link-5 "Methane leaks erode green credentials of natural gas,"] Nature 493, 12, January 2, 2013.</ref> The research was published in 2013, and reported a methane leakage rate of 6.2 to 11.7% in the Basin.<ref>Anna Karion et al., [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50811/abstract "Methane emissions estimate from airborne measurements over a western United States natural gas field,"] Geophysical Research Letters, 2013.</ref>
In September 2012 researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado in Boulder reported preliminary results from a field study in the Uinta Basin of Utah suggesting methane leakage of up to 9% of total gas production, nearly double the cumulative loss rates estimated from industry data. The NOAA researchers collected their data in February 2012 as part of a broader analysis of air pollution in the Uinta Basin.<ref>Jeff Tollefson, [http://www.nature.com/news/methane-leaks-erode-green-credentials-of-natural-gas-1.12123#/ref-link-5 "Methane leaks erode green credentials of natural gas,"] Nature 493, 12, January 2, 2013.</ref> The research was published in 2013, and reported a methane leakage rate of 6.2 to 11.7% in the Basin.<ref>Anna Karion et al., [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50811/abstract "Methane emissions estimate from airborne measurements over a western United States natural gas field,"] Geophysical Research Letters, 2013.</ref>
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Unlike scientists who measure the leakage at ground level with planes, new research is using atmospheric inversion models to filter out the local methane emissions like agriculture. These preliminary studies suggest 10 percent leakage is too high, and is more likely around 6 percent or lower globally.<ref>Gayathri Vaidyanathan, [http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059976858 "New research takes a global look at methane emissions from oil and gas,"] EnergyWire, February 26, 2013.</ref>
===2013 EDF study===
===2013 EDF study===
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According to Cornell University professor Anthony Ingraffea, the methane emissions control technology used at most of the sites included in the study (chosen by industry, which he said is a conflict of interest) are not used at most of the natural gas production sites nationwide, so EDF's study results are not representative of methane emissions at most wells. He also said the study sampled too few fracking sites for it to be statistically representative of nationwide fracking — only 27 of the more than 25,000 fracking operations that occurred in 2012.<ref>Bobby Magill, [http://www.climatecentral.org/news/study-fracking-emits-less-methane-than-estimated-16483 "Fracking May Emit Less Methane Than Previous Estimates,"] Climate Central, Sep 16, 2013.</ref> Robert Howarth of Cornell said the study conflicts with non-industry sponsored NOAA studies finding much higher leakage rates at gas production sites, and at most could be seen as representative of best practices that should be employed at all sites. He added that the study reported a lot of flaring, which would increase methane emissions if it were simply vented (released).<ref name=response>[http://www.slideshare.net/Revkin/howarth-press-release-on-allen-et-al-pnas-2 "Howarth response,"] Cornell press release, Sep. 11, 2013.</ref> MIT's Henry Jacoby said the great bulk of the problem is elsewhere, "downstream in the natural gas system," including poorly capped oil and gas wells no longer in production.<ref name=rl/>
According to Cornell University professor Anthony Ingraffea, the methane emissions control technology used at most of the sites included in the study (chosen by industry, which he said is a conflict of interest) are not used at most of the natural gas production sites nationwide, so EDF's study results are not representative of methane emissions at most wells. He also said the study sampled too few fracking sites for it to be statistically representative of nationwide fracking — only 27 of the more than 25,000 fracking operations that occurred in 2012.<ref>Bobby Magill, [http://www.climatecentral.org/news/study-fracking-emits-less-methane-than-estimated-16483 "Fracking May Emit Less Methane Than Previous Estimates,"] Climate Central, Sep 16, 2013.</ref> Robert Howarth of Cornell said the study conflicts with non-industry sponsored NOAA studies finding much higher leakage rates at gas production sites, and at most could be seen as representative of best practices that should be employed at all sites. He added that the study reported a lot of flaring, which would increase methane emissions if it were simply vented (released).<ref name=response>[http://www.slideshare.net/Revkin/howarth-press-release-on-allen-et-al-pnas-2 "Howarth response,"] Cornell press release, Sep. 11, 2013.</ref> MIT's Henry Jacoby said the great bulk of the problem is elsewhere, "downstream in the natural gas system," including poorly capped oil and gas wells no longer in production.<ref name=rl/>
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Aside from the scientific disagreements, two critics of the study note that "The study had been viewed with skepticism before its release because 90 percent of the $2.3 million in funding came from nine energy companies, including Encana, Chevron and a subsidiary of ExxonMobil."<ref>[http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20130916/study-delivers-good-bad-news-methane-leaks-fracking-operations "Study Delivers Good, Bad News on Methane Leaks from Fracking Operations"] Lisa Song & Jim Morris, InsideClimateNews, September 16, 2013.</ref>
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Aside from the scientific disagreements, two critics of the study note that "The study had been viewed with skepticism before its release because 90 percent of the $2.3 million in funding came from nine energy companies, including Encana, Chevron and a subsidiary of ExxonMobil."<ref>[http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20130916/study-delivers-good-bad-news-methane-leaks-fracking-operations "Study Delivers Good, Bad News on Methane Leaks from Fracking Operations"] Lisa Song & Jim Morris, InsideClimateNews
, September 16, 2013.</ref> One author, Jennifer Miskimins, is currently the employee of a petroleum engineering firm, Barree & Associates, and has been since 2012. The firm offers a range of consulting services related to fracking.<ref>[http://public-accountability.org/2013/09/conflicts-of-interest-in-new-fracking-emissions-study/ "Conflicts of interest in new fracking emissions study,"] PAI
, September 16, 2013.</ref>
===Leakage from wells===
===Leakage from wells===