An open-access methane intensity index, designed to provide regulatory and financial benchmarks, may offer a credible step for U.S. natural gas producers to verify their supplies.

The data inputs are used to derive regional methane emission estimates, according to MiQ and Highwood Emissions Management (HEM), which launched the index earlier this month. The index represents more than 300,000 top-down measurements from six Lower 48 oil and gas basins.

“A national emissions benchmark is critical for progressive action, particularly as we approach 2030 and other respective methane commitments,” said MiQ’s Lara Owens, director of Science and Technology. “Currently, there are no fit-for-purpose national emission estimates that can properly serve the certified gas market, and...