Capping methane leaks 'should be environmental priority'

Petroleum engineer Susan Harvey has recently released a report signalling the environmental benefits of capping methane leaks, stating that controlling wet gases would be far more rewarding.

The Environmental Protection Agency has recently been in the press in regards to its intentions to curb carbon dioxide emissions through strict limits on coal powered plants. However, the Natural Resources Defence Council has pointed out that capping methane leaks from refining and industrial work would cut air pollution much more effectively.

Methane is thought to be 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, and the study argues that it is routinely allowed to escape for oil and gas industry equipment and processes.

The study states: "This is a waste of a valuable fuel resource as well as a source of local pollution and climate change." Susan Harvey pointed to several methods that could be put in use to capture more methane gas, leading to a potential cut of 80 per cent in emissions.

Posted by Lauren Steadman