Processing facilities in Mexico’s oil and natural gas patch are emitting “exceptionally high levels of methane pollution” at 10 times the rate being reported by the government, according to a new study led by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
The study tracked emissions of the potent greenhouse gas across the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz and the Campeche coast. The methane pollution was mainly from incomplete combustion of natural gas at industrial flaring sites, researchers said.
Emissions data indicated an annual resource loss of 100 Bcf, valued at about $200 million/year, or 13 times the annual budget of Mexico’s oil and gas environmental regulator, Agencia de Seguridad, Energía y Abiente (ASEA).
While emissions measured from onshore processing...