May 1, 2024

Methane (CH4) is the main source of GHG emissions in US natural gas systems accounting for over 80% of the total.

US methane emissions have decreased 14% since 1990, dropping from 215 Mt CO₂eq to 185 Mt CO₂eq in 2022. The decrease is attributable to drops from distribution, transmission, and storage. The decrease in distribution emissions is due to reductions from pipelines and distribution station leaks. Decreases in transmission and storage is largely due to reduced compressor station emissions (including emissions from compressors and equipment leaks).

Despite a drop in emission intensity,  total US GHG emissions from Natural Gas System are expected to grow moderately over the forecast period  at about 3% annually reflecting continued growth of natural gas production.

Incorrys Methodology to Forecast Emissions

Sources:

1.EPA. 2023. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2021. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 430-R-23-002. Available at https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-andsinks-1990-2021.https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/US-GHG-Inventory-2023-Main-Text.pdf.

2.IEA. December, 9, 2022. U.S. dry natural gas production set monthly records in 2022; we forecast an annual record. Available at https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=54959.

3.IEA. 2023. Gas Market Report, Q2-2023. Available at https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/6f2f0dcc-72af-4c01-bcc7-fbfe690ab521/GasMarketReportQ22023.pdf.

4.IEA. February, 21, 2023. Methane Tracker. Available at https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/methane-tracker-data-explorer.