ENERGY
State Environment Department proposes rule to detect methane leaks
Officials say the proposal could also lead to less natural gas waste
A natural gas well pad on federal Bureau of Land Management land in northwest Rio Arriba County in August 2021.
The New Mexico Environment Department proposed a rule that it says will help prevent methane leaks from oil and gas operations, part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham鈥檚 efforts to reduce methane emissions in the state.
Methane, the main component of natural gas, can have harmful effects on human health when introduced into the air and water. It is also a potential greenhouse gas that traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
, one of the top oil and gas operators in the Permian Basin, methane has accounted for more than 10% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
鈥淢ethane leaks result in climate change, air pollution and waste of New Mexico鈥檚 natural resources,鈥� Environment Secretary James Kenney said in a Friday statement. 鈥淭his regulatory proposal builds on New Mexico鈥檚 nationally-leading oil and gas rules and will result in oil and gas operators finding larger leaks faster, fixing them, and (keeping) more natural gas where it belongs 鈥� in the pipeline.鈥�
Under the proposal, the department would approve 鈥渜ualified third parties鈥� to use technologies such as satellites and aircraft to identify major methane leaks. When detected, the state would require the oil and gas operator responsible for the leak to investigate and repair it within three days.
The oil and gas industry also stands to benefit financially from preventing leaks of methane from its well sites and pipelines, NMED officials said.
鈥淔inding leaks faster would reduce methane emissions while helping oil and gas operators avoid losing natural gas that could otherwise be sold,鈥� NMED said in a news release. 鈥淚t would also help protect state revenue tied to oil and gas production.鈥�
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, the industry鈥檚 influential trade group, did not return a request for comment on the rule.
New Mexico鈥檚 seven-member Environmental Improvement Board will consider the rule. The board can decide to hold public hearings on the proposal, but has not done so as of Friday.
Justin Horwath covers tech and energy for the Journal. You can reach him at jhorwath@abqjournal.com.
