Researchers in a peer-reviewed study conducted over three years have discovered that more methane is being emitted from Permian Basin natural gas gathering lines than previous federal estimates. 

In a peer-reviewed study published by the American Chemical Society, aerial data was used to measure emissions from thousands of miles of gathering pipeline in West Texas and parts of New Mexico.

“The rapid reduction of methane emissions, especially from oil and gas (O&G) operations, is a critical part of slowing global warming,” researchers said. “However, few studies have attempted to specifically characterize emissions from natural gas gathering pipelines, which tend to be more difficult to monitor on the ground than other forms of O&G infrastructure.”

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