Leaking methane undermines gas’s clean credentials

New monitoring technology has identified methane leakage from upstream gas projects as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, but many players are yet to grasp the significance of the problem, senior industry representatives say.

IOCs, many of which have prioritised gas production in recent years because of its lower carbon footprint, are beginning to address the issue to counter environmental concerns. However, while companies must keep emissions low, they should also be trying to prevent the loss of a valuable resource, said Claudio Descalzi, chief executive of Eni.