Non-producing oil and gas wells emit two types of methane: thermogenic and microbial. Using a newly-designed method for distinguishing between the two, a McGill University team found microbial methane is being emitted at rates 1,000 times higher than previously estimated. The finding points to “well integrity failure” as a primary driver of severe methane leaks from non-producing wells.
Study of Non-Producing Oil and Gas Wells Points to Higher Methane Releases
