Methane Unmasked

The report 'Methane Unmasked' by Changing Markets Foundation examines methane leakages at biogas plants in Denmark, focusing on the Nature Energy (Shell) plant in Videbæk and the Tønder plant. Using optical gas imaging and trace gas analysers, the investigation found significant methane releases at the Videbæk plant, including suspected intentional venting from a compressor unit stack. It also identified high methane concentrations near the Tønder plant, though the exact source could not be pinpointed. The report argues that methane leakage is a systemic problem in the biogas industry that can negate climate benefits, and it calls for stronger EU-wide regulations as current Danish third-party audits are deemed inadequate.

• Inspections at the Nature Energy (Shell) biogas plant in Videbæk revealed significant methane leakages, with gas analyser readings showing peaks up to 3,500 ppb and two peaks exceeding 5,000 ppb, which is more than double the baseline of 2,077 ppb.
• The investigation identified a specific source of methane release at the Videbæk plant via a stack connected to the compressor unit; because these releases were detected on multiple days and times, the report suggests they are likely 'intentional release' rather than emergency incidents.
• At the Tønder biogas plant, the team detected a peak methane concentration of nearly 35,000 ppb outside the plant, which is more than 16 times the baseline of 2,075 ppb, although the OGI camera could not confirm the facility as the source.
• An impromptu inspection of Arla’s Arinco processing plant, located 950 metres from the Videbæk plant, captured methane being released from an unidentified chimney.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2025). Methane Unmasked. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Methane-Unmasked.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Methane Unmasked. 2025. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Methane-Unmasked.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Methane Unmasked |date=September 2025 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Methane-Unmasked.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2025methane, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Methane Unmasked}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2025}, month = sep, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Methane-Unmasked.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }