Reducing methane emissions from B.C.’s oil and gas sector

The document argues that current British Columbia regulations are insufficient to meet 2025 methane reduction targets, as emissions are often underestimated and compliance is low. It recommends implementing more stringent standards by 2025, including the elimination of routine venting and flaring, lower tank emission limits, and monthly instrument-based leak detection and repair (LDAR). The coalition also urges the province to accelerate its target for near-zero methane emissions from 2035 to 2030, aligning with the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI). Specific technical recommendations cover the adoption of zero-bleed pneumatic equipment, tighter standards for reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, and the implementation of a 'super emitter' response program based on third-party remote monitoring.

• Current regulatory frameworks in British Columbia are likely to fail the 2025 methane reduction target because emissions are frequently underestimated and compliance is poor, with 65% of facilities failing to complete required LDAR surveys in 2020.
• A significant portion of methane emissions in B.C. are attributed to unlit flares, with one study finding they account for 23% of the province's methane emissions.
• The coalition recommends eliminating routine venting and flaring of associated, solution, and casinghead gas at all wells by 2025 to align with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative.
• B.C.'s current tank emission limits are significantly higher than those in the U.S.; the coalition proposes lowering them to 0.3 tons of methane per year (TPY) to match Colorado's standards.
• The document advocates for monthly instrument-based leak detection and repair (LDAR) inspections at all sites and the adoption of alternative LDAR pathways using drones, satellites, or aircraft.
• The coalition recommends requiring all new and existing pneumatic devices and pumps to be non-emitting or capture emissions starting in 2025, noting that zero-bleed electric controllers can be cost-effective.
• For compressors, the coalition suggests lowering emission standards for smaller reciprocating units to 0.82 cubic meters per hour per throw and restricting exemptions for pneumatic compressor starters.
• The coalition proposes a 'super emitter' response program where approved third parties use remote sensing to detect leaks above 100 kg/hr and notify operators and regulators.
• The document urges B.C. to move its target for near-zero methane emissions from 2035 to 2030 to match the ambition of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI).

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2023). Reducing methane emissions from B.C.’s oil and gas sector. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21144418/comments-reducing-methane-emissions-bc-oil-gas-sector.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Reducing methane emissions from B.C.’s oil and gas sector. 2023. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21144418/comments-reducing-methane-emissions-bc-oil-gas-sector.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Reducing methane emissions from B.C.’s oil and gas sector |date=20 March 2023 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21144418/comments-reducing-methane-emissions-bc-oil-gas-sector.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{cleanairtaskforce2023reducing, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Reducing methane emissions from B.C.’s oil and gas sector}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21144418/comments-reducing-methane-emissions-bc-oil-gas-sector.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }