A groundbreaking satellite called MethaneSat is set to revolutionize the fight against methane pollution in the oil and gas industry. Scheduled to launch from California on Monday, MethaneSat will provide the first near-comprehensive global view of methane leaks from the sector, aiming to expose the worst polluters. The washing-machine-sized satellite will offer high-resolution data over wider areas than existing satellites, making it a powerful tool in curbing temperature rises and combating the climate crisis.
Methane, also known as natural gas, is responsible for 30% of global heating and is a potent greenhouse gas. Leaks from the fossil fuel industry contribute significantly to human-caused emissions, making it crucial to address this issue to mitigate climate change. MethaneSat, developed by the US NGO Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in partnership with the New Zealand Space Agency, cost $88 million to build and launch. The EDF’s previous measurements from planes revealed that methane emissions were 60% higher than estimated by US authorities and others.
Over 150 countries have signed a global methane pledge to reduce their emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Several oil and gas companies have made similar commitments, and new regulations to limit methane leaks are being developed in the US, EU, Japan, and South Korea. MethaneSat will play a crucial role in holding companies accountable for their emissions performance while also documenting progress made by leading companies in reducing their emissions.
The chief scientist of the EDF and leader of the MethaneSat project, Steven Hamburg, emphasized that the oil and gas industry knows how to stop leaks, and the cost of doing so is usually minimal. He referred to it as “low-hanging fruit” or “fruit lying on the ground.” MethaneSat’s advanced instrument has a resolution of about 140 meters, compared to the European Space Agency’s Sentinel 5P satellite, which has a resolution of about six kilometers. This enables MethaneSat to detect smaller leaks that contribute significantly to the total emissions.
MethaneSat will orbit the Earth 15 times a day at an altitude of 590 kilometers, collecting data in a 200-kilometer swathe. It is expected to provide empirical data for the entire global oil and gas production system, offering unprecedented insights into the industry’s methane emissions. The first results are anticipated in the summer, with full data availability expected by early 2025. While Nasa’s Emit mission also collects high-resolution data, MethaneSat is expected to become the gold standard for methane measurements due to its higher precision and ability to detect even small changes in methane levels.
In addition to monitoring the oil and gas industry, MethaneSat has the potential to track methane emissions from coal mines, landfills, and farming, which are other significant sources of human-caused emissions. This versatile satellite could contribute to the UN’s international methane emissions observatory, collating and publishing data on leaks. The Guardian previously revealed over 1,000 methane “super-emitter” sites, with one leak alone equivalent to the emissions of 67 million running cars. Methane leaks from waste dumps have also been a concerning issue, with over 1,000 huge leaks reported since 2019.
MethaneSat’s launch marks a significant step forward in the fight against methane pollution. With its ability to expose the worst polluters and provide comprehensive data on emissions, it has the potential to drive change in the oil and gas industry and beyond. By holding companies accountable and highlighting progress made by leading actors, MethaneSat can contribute to a more sustainable future and help combat the climate crisis.