Methane emissions from upstream oil and gas production in Canada are underestimated

Methane emissions were measured at 6650 sites across six major oil and gas producing regions in Canada to examine regional emission trends, and to derive an inventory estimate for Canada's upstream oil and gas sector. Emissions varied by fluid type and geographic region, with the heavy oil region of Lloydminster ranking highest on both absolute and intensity-based scales. Emission intensities varied widely for natural gas production, where older, low-producing developments such as Medicine Hat, Alberta showed high emission intensities, and newer developments in Montney, British Columbia showed emission intensities that are amongst the lowest in North America. Overall, we estimate that the Canadian upstream oil and gas methane inventory is underestimated by a factor of 1.5, which is consistent with previous studies of individual regions.

Automated summary

Methane emissions were measured at 6650 sites across six major oil and gas producing regions in Canada, showing variations by fluid type and geographic region. The estimate for Canada's upstream oil and gas methane inventory is underestimated by a factor of 1.5, particularly in heavy oil regions and in emission intensities for natural gas production.