A recent study published in Nature reveals that oil and gas producers in major fields across the United States may be emitting three times more methane gas than official estimates. In some regions of New Mexico, over 9 percent of natural gas produced escapes into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Researchers from Stanford University and Kairos Aerospace analyzed aerial surveys and estimated that these operations release about 6.2 million tons of methane annually, equivalent to the emissions from 20 million homes. The study highlights the need for better measurement and monitoring of methane emissions, especially from the oil and gas industry, to meet international climate targets. The International Energy Agency (I.E.A.) reported that methane emissions from the energy sector remained near record highs in 2023, emphasizing the urgency of reducing these emissions to limit global warming.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/climate/oil-gas-industry-methane-release.html