A Comprehensive Integration and Synthesis of Methane Emissions from Canada's Oil and Gas Value Chain

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climate Change Research
• Energy Sector Analysis

Background:

• Methane emissions from the oil and gas value chain significantly contribute to global climate change.
• Mitigation of these emissions can substantially reduce global warming, potentially by 0.1 °C by 2050.
• Canada has committed to a 75% reduction in oil and gas methane emissions by 2030, necessitating accurate data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To constrain estimates of methane emissions from Canada's energy sector using extensive research.
• To identify research gaps that contribute to uncertainty in current methane emission estimates.
• To inform effective mitigation strategies and validate emission reduction commitments.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of nearly a decade of multiscale methane measurements across the oil and gas value chain (production to end use).
• Analysis of data to estimate total value chain methane emissions.
• Identification and discussion of information gaps in emissions and activity data for specific sectors.

Main Results:

• Total value chain methane emissions estimated at 2,600 (2,100-3,700) kilotons.
• Findings broadly align with Canada's official inventory, which now incorporates atmospheric measurement data.
• Identified significant information gaps in midstream, downstream, and end-use sectors.

Conclusions:

• Accurate methane emission quantification is critical for Canada to meet its 2030 reduction targets.
• Addressing data gaps in less-quantified sectors can reveal cost-effective mitigation opportunities.
• Frequent, comprehensive methane measurements are essential for validating climate impact assessments and reduction commitments.