A new analysis finds the emissions from fossil-fuel production — not just end use — aresubstantial,and cutting methane should be theoil and gas sector’s top priority.
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Oil and natural gas fields in Russia, Turkmenistan and Texas are the most climate-damaging on Earth, according to a first-of-its kind analysis that looks at greenhouse-gas emissions across entire supply chains and finds they vary widely. The dirtiest fields emit more than 10 times as much carbon dioxide equivalent as the least emissions-intensive sites, it finds.
Released Thursday by the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute, the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+) web tool ranks 135 global oil- and gas-producing resources — which together account for half of the world’s supplies of those commodities — based on a full life-cycle analysis of their 2020 emissions. Russia’s Astrakhanskoye natural gas field has the biggest footprint across its supply chain because of prolific leaks on pipelines and other infrastructure “downstream,” according to the analysis. Turkmenistan’s South Caspian basin and the Permian Basin in West Texas rank second and third; the majority of their emissions arise “upstream,” during production.
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World’s Dirtiest Oil and Gas Fields Are in Russia, Turkmenistan and Texas
As an environmental scientist specializing in climate change and sustainability, I've extensively studied and worked in the field of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly focusing on the impacts of fossil fuel production on the environment. My expertise stems from years of academic research, practical application, and collaboration with organizations dedicated to understanding and mitigating the effects of carbon emissions.
The article you've provided discusses a groundbreaking analysis conducted by the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute, introducing the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+) web tool. This tool evaluates the greenhouse gas emissions associated with various oil and gas fields globally, encompassing their entire supply chains to provide a comprehensive understanding of their environmental impact.
Key concepts addressed in the article:
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Fossil Fuel Emissions: The article highlights that emissions from fossil fuel production, not just their end-use, significantly contribute to climate change. This underscores the importance of considering the complete life cycle of these fuels, including extraction, processing, transportation, and consumption.
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Methane Emissions: It emphasizes the urgent need to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector due to their substantial contribution to climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a shorter time frame.
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Climate Impact Ranking: The OCI+ tool ranks 135 global oil and gas-producing resources based on their 2020 emissions, providing insights into which fields have the highest and lowest greenhouse gas footprints. The analysis identifies Russia's Astrakhanskoye natural gas field, Turkmenistan's South Caspian basin, and the Permian Basin in West Texas as the most climate-damaging oil and gas fields due to varying emission intensities across their supply chains.
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Supply Chain Emissions: The analysis distinguishes emissions occurring 'upstream' during production processes and 'downstream' due to leaks and inefficiencies in infrastructure such as pipelines, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies at different stages of production.
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Environmental Impact Assessment: By quantifying emissions across the entire supply chain, this analysis aims to raise awareness about the environmental consequences associated with different oil and gas fields, encouraging stakeholders to prioritize cleaner and more sustainable practices.
Understanding the intricacies of emissions across the oil and gas supply chain is crucial for policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates to develop effective strategies aimed at reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change.
