Several reports appeared in yesterday`s newspapers about an article published a few days ago in the magazine Nature. The article refers to a study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado, Boulder.

The study was of the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado which was mostly developed in the 1980’s and 1990’s using the hydraulic fracturing technology of that time. The study used a rigorous approach though it mainly inferred the total emissions by comparing methane in the atmosphere against expected norms. The Natural Gas Association of America says the findings are interesting and lead to the requirement to study the issue in more detail. The authors agree more study is needed.

We note it is quite common for there to be surface seeps above natural gas fields. This is certainly the case in Quebec. The study’s methodology may not accurately distinguish between raw natural gas seeps and those from the natural gas operations itself.

We are pleased also that Professor Howarth was quoted in the article from Nature that natural gas is cleaner than coal even if the data from this new study is correct. But he says that’s only true if you burn it though we are not sure what else coal would be used for.

More importantly, the study makes no mention of nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide or heavy metal emissions which are dramatically lower when burning natural gas as opposed to coal. Many health effects have been linked to this pollution including mercury poisoning. Of interest, >most up-to-date study at this link. Based on this report, Alberta’s success in reducing flaring and venting has been acknowledged internationally.

Assuming the study referred to in Nature could be extrapolated to the 65 bcf/day currently being consumed in America it would represent close to a $3 billion dollar per year revenue opportunity for the natural gas industry using today’s low prices. There are common incentives between environmentalists and natural gas companies to reduce emissions further and increase revenue streams. The study is an important reminder of that.