Emissions in the stream
Estimating the greenhouse gas impacts of an oil and gas boom
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15552829 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Andrew Waxman (0000-0002-7804-4025, The University of Texas at Austin, corresponding author), Achmad Khomaini (The University of Texas at Austin), Benjamin D Leibowicz (0000-0003-0796-8666, The University of Texas at Austin), Sheila M Olmstead (0000-0002-9572-943X, Resources For The Future) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 014004-014004 |
| Publication date | 2019-12-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Research Letters (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1748-9326 • E-ISSN: 1748-9326 |
| Publisher | IOP Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1088/1748-9326/ab5e6f |
| OpenAlex | W2993932920 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 34 |
The Shale Revolution has stimulated a large and rapid buildout of oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf and Southwest regions of the United States (US), expected to unfold over decades. Therefore, it is critical to develop a clearer understanding of the scale and composition of the likely greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with this activity. We compile a detailed inventory of projected upstream oil and gas production expansions as well as recently and soon-to-be built midstream and downstream facilities within the region. Using data from emissions permits, emissions factors, and facility capacities, we estimate expected GHG emissions at the facility level for facilities that have recently been constructed or are soon to be constructed. Our central estimate suggests that the total annual emissions impact of the regional oil and gas infrastructure buildout may reach 541 million tons of CO 2 equivalent (CO 2 e) by 2030, which is more than 8% of total US GHG emissions in 2017 and roughly equivalent to the emissions of 131 coal-fired power plants. A substantial fraction of the projected emissions come from petrochemical facilities (38%) and liquefied natural gas terminals (19%). Researchers have largely focused on upstream emissions such as fugitive methane (CH 4 ) associated with new US production; our findings reveal the potentially greater prominence of midstream and downstream sources in the studied region
Downstream (manufacturing · Fossil fuel · Fugitive emissions · Greenhouse gas · Liquefied natural gas · Midstream · Natural gas · Petroleum industry · Upstream (networking · Waste management · Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics · CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions · Engineering · Environmental Science · Oil, Gas, and Environmental Issues · Environmental Engineering
Climate Change 2013 – The Physical Science Basis
Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations
Greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and economic growth
Methane Leaks from North American Natural Gas Systems
Assessment of methane emissions from the U.S. oil and gas supply chain
The ecoinvent Database
Future CO 2 Emissions and Climate Change from Existing Energy Infrastructure
Committed emissions from existing energy infrastructure jeopardize 1.5 °C climate target
Understanding carbon lock-in
Climate-wise choices in a world of oil abundance
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2021 (2) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |