'Problem wells' source of greenhouse gas at unexpected stage of natural gas production
Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 02:02
in Earth & Climate
High levels of the greenhouse gas methane were found above shale gas wells at a production point not thought to be an important emissions source. The findings could have implications for the evaluation of the environmental impacts from natural gas production. The study, which is one of only a few to use a so-called "top down" approach that measures methane gas levels in the air above wells, identified seven individual well pads with high emission levels during the drilling stage.