A new satellite, MethaneSAT, is revolutionizing efforts to detect methane leaks from oil and gas operations worldwide. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over its first 20 years in the atmosphere, is being emitted at alarmingly high levels. The satellite’s data reveals methane leaks far exceeding estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry standards.

Early findings from MethaneSAT show that major oil and gas basins, like the Permian in the U.S., are leaking methane at rates nine to 14.5 times higher than industry-agreed limits. The Uinta Basin in Utah, with older infrastructure, is leaking at an astonishing 45 times the limit. Turkmenistan’s South Caspian Basin was identified as one of the largest methane hotspots globally, venting over 970,000 pounds of methane per hour — 1.5 times the rate of the Permian Basin.

The satellite’s precision has shed light on regions previously difficult to monitor, such as Venezuela, where cloud cover had obscured emissions data. For the first time, MethaneSAT captured the extent of methane leaks in this region, revealing large-scale emissions from aging oil infrastructure.

A Growing Crisis

Natural gas, which is primarily methane, is often touted as a cleaner alternative to coal. However, the widespread leaks undermine its environmental benefits. According to Rob Jackson, chair of the Global Carbon Project, addressing methane emissions offers the fastest way to slow climate change, but deeper action is needed. “Plugging leaks is like pretending to cut emissions,” Jackson stated. “The real solution is moving away from fossil fuels altogether.”

Scientists emphasize the urgency of addressing methane pollution. Over half a million U.S. oil and gas wells that account for just 6-7% of production generate 50% of the industry’s methane emissions. Without stronger efforts, these “super-polluters” could push the planet closer to irreversible climate impacts.

Hope for Mitigation

Despite the daunting scale of the problem, scientists see opportunities for change. MethaneSAT’s ability to pinpoint leaks offers regulators and companies the tools to tackle emissions efficiently. The oil and gas industry, identified as the “low-hanging fruit” of methane reduction, has the potential to lead the way in cutting emissions if commitments are strengthened and action is accelerated.

While addressing methane leaks is a vital step, it must be paired with a global transition away from fossil fuels to meaningfully confront the climate crisis.