Oil & Gas Methane 65% Reduction Proposal

The Clean Air Task Force argues that the U.S. oil and gas sector must reduce methane emissions by 65% by 2025 to align with global goals for limiting warming to 1.5°C. Without further action, emissions are projected to reach nearly 12 million metric tons by 2025. The proposal focuses on three primary areas: implementing monthly leak detection and repair (LDAR) or continuous monitoring to address leaks and super-emitters; replacing gas-driven pneumatic equipment with non-emitting alternatives; and implementing additional controls on storage tanks, well completions, compressors, and flaring. Together, these measures would reduce emissions by almost eight million tons per year, a benefit the author compares to replacing 150 million gasoline cars with zero-carbon electric vehicles. The document also advocates for a national policy to supplement existing state-level regulations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.

• To maintain a warming limit of 1.5°C, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) states that global methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector must be reduced by 65%.
• U.S. oil and gas methane emissions are projected to reach nearly 12 million metric tons by 2025 if no further action is taken, which would cause near-term warming equivalent to 260 coal-fired power plants.
• The proposed 65% reduction target would eliminate almost eight million tons of methane annually, providing a climate benefit comparable to replacing 150 million gasoline cars with zero-carbon electric vehicles.
• The primary technical strategies for reduction include monthly leak detection and repair (LDAR) or continuous monitoring for leaks and super-emitters, and the replacement of natural gas-driven pneumatic equipment with non-emitting alternatives.
• Additional recommended measures include controlling emissions from storage tanks, capturing emissions from compressors and dehydrators, reducing venting and flaring of associated gas, and removing exemptions for venting during well completions and workovers.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Oil & Gas Methane 65% Reduction Proposal. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/21092232/CATF_Methane_2Pager_06.24.21.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Oil & Gas Methane 65% Reduction Proposal. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/21092232/CATF_Methane_2Pager_06.24.21.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Oil & Gas Methane 65% Reduction Proposal |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/21092232/CATF_Methane_2Pager_06.24.21.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendoil, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Oil \& Gas Methane 65\% Reduction Proposal}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/21092232/CATF_Methane_2Pager_06.24.21.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }