January 21, 2022
Last week the American Petroleum Institute (API) released their State of American Energy Report featuring significant reductions in emissions and flaring in the U.S. and around the world.
According to the report, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions are at generational lows, in significant part because of the increased use of natural gas to generate electricity. On the production side, average methane emissions intensity declined by nearly 60 percent from 2011 to 2020 across all seven major producing regions, according to data from EPA and EIA.
Globally, natural gas is also helping lead the way in reducing emissions. Using U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) in China, Germany and India for electricity generation instead of coal could produce on average 50 percent fewer GHG emissions4 on a life-cycle basis, according to an ICF study included in API’s announcement.
Further, participants in The Environmental Partnership’s new flare management program reported a 50 percent reduction in flare volumes from 2019 to 2020, even as their oil and natural gas production remained consistent.
Environmental progress trends like these showcase the commitment of both The Environmental Partnership and the Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition and their efforts to reduce flaring even further.
Visit API’s website to read the full report.
