Our Purpose
Transform harmful emissions with economical solutions and make an impact.
Thousands of gas flares at oil production sites worldwide burned approximately 139 billion cubic meters of gas in 2022. Assuming typical associated gas composition, this results in around 42 million tons of unburnt methane being emitted. At a sales value of 2.5 USD/MMBTU and heating value of 1300 BTU/SCF, this is valued at $15.9 billion.
In 2022 the US alone flared nearly 8 billion cubic meters of gas, valued at $914.4 million. This flaring is not evenly distributed throughout the country, rather it tends to accumulate in just a few areas. In fact, around 535,000 people live within 3 miles of flaring sites in just three regions: Permian Basin, Western Gulf Basin, and Williston Basin.
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Flaring releases a variety of hazardous air pollutants. These include volatile organic compounds that are carcinogenic. Flaring also contributes to ground-level ozone, which can lead to respiratory illness and heart disease. Apart from these effects experienced by the immediate community, flaring releases some methane into the atmosphere, which is a very potent GHG.
Flaring sites 2022
42 million tons of unburnt methane emitted globally in 2022 alone
The Orphan Well Problem
The Interior Department has documented the existence of 130,000 orphaned wells nationwide. An EPA study estimated that there are as many as two to three million wells across the nation- most of which are undocumented. It is estimated that these wells emit over 11.5 million tons of CO2-equivalent every year.
The Environmental Defense Fund estimates that approximately
14 million Americans live within a mile of a documented orphan well.
Why Now
The regions closest to flare sites include large populations of color and widespread poverty. Flaring and its implications are therefore environmental justice issues.
Individuals and companies have increased their efforts to mitigate methane emissions from oilfields, recognizing its adverse health effects on surrounding communities and the planet’s atmosphere.
The Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) Initiative has committed governments and oil companies to end routine flaring no later than 2030 since its inception in 2015. ZRF endorsers now account for ~60% of total global gas flaring. The ZRF is a World Bank initiative managed by the GGFR trust fund. Additionally, groups like the International Energy Agency (IEA) are increasing reporting, monitoring, and technical analysis on methane emissions, its detrimental effects, and the impact of flaring on the environment.
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There are many efforts to reduce methane emissions and its impact on the environment. They are gaining traction and adoption with no signs of slowing.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
The IRA of 2022 requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a waste emission charge on methane emitted from applicable facilities. This charge is to begin in 2024.
The fee charge (USD) per metric ton of methane exceeding applicable waste thresholds*
$900 / metric ton (2024)
$1200 / metric ton (2025)
$1500 / metric ton (2026 and on)
*visit the EPA's website for more information and exceptions.
U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is funding groups specifically specialized in developing innovative measurement, monitoring, and mitigation technologies to detect and quantify methane emissions among U.S. oil and gas-producing regions.*
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Specifically, the DOE announced nearly $47 million in funding for such groups in March of 2023.
*visit the DOE's website for more information and exceptions.