Concurrent variation in oil and gas methane emissions and oil price during the COVID-19 pandemic

Methane emissions associated with the production, transport, and use of oil and natural gas increase the climatic impacts of energy use; however, little is known about how emissions vary temporally and with commodity prices. We present airborne and ground-based data, supported by satellite observations, to measure weekly to monthly changes in total methane emissions in the United States' Permian Basin during a period of volatile oil prices associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As oil prices declined from similar to USD 60 to USD 20 per barrel, emissions changed concurrently from 3.3% to 1.9% of natural gas production; as prices partially recovered, emissions increased back to near initial values. Concurrently, total oil and natural gas production only declined by similar to 10% from the peak values seen in the months prior to the crash. Activity data indicate that a rapid decline in well development and subsequent effects on associated gas flaring and midstream infrastructure throughput are the likely drivers of temporary emission reductions. Our results, along with past satellite observations, suggest that under more typical price conditions, the Permian Basin is in a state of over- capacity in which rapidly growing associated gas production exceeds midstream capacity and leads to high methane emissions.

Automated summary

Research using airborne and ground data, supported by satellite observations, measured the changes in methane emissions in the Permian Basin of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. As oil prices and production fluctuated, methane emissions also showed corresponding changes. Activity data indicate that the temporary emission reductions are mainly due to a rapid decline in well development and the subsequent effects on associated gas flaring and midstream infrastructure throughput.