First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK
<p>Atmospheric methane (CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span>) is the second-most-important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and has a 20-year global warming potential 82 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO<span class="inline-formula"&g...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| Online Access: | https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/17/1599/2024/amt-17-1599-2024.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827315350760325120 |
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| author | E. Dowd E. Dowd A. J. Manning B. Orth-Lashley M. Girard J. France J. France R. E. Fisher D. Lowry M. Lanoisellé J. R. Pitt K. M. Stanley S. O'Doherty D. Young G. Thistlethwaite M. P. Chipperfield M. P. Chipperfield E. Gloor C. Wilson C. Wilson |
| author_facet | E. Dowd E. Dowd A. J. Manning B. Orth-Lashley M. Girard J. France J. France R. E. Fisher D. Lowry M. Lanoisellé J. R. Pitt K. M. Stanley S. O'Doherty D. Young G. Thistlethwaite M. P. Chipperfield M. P. Chipperfield E. Gloor C. Wilson C. Wilson |
| author_sort | E. Dowd |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Atmospheric methane (CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span>) is the second-most-important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and has a 20-year global warming potential 82 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>). Anthropogenic sources account for <span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 60 % of global CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> emissions, of which 20 % come from oil and gas exploration, production and distribution. High-resolution satellite-based imaging spectrometers are becoming important tools for detecting and monitoring CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> point source emissions, aiding mitigation. However, validation of these satellite measurements, such as those from the commercial GHGSat satellite constellation, has so far not been documented for active leaks. Here we present the monitoring and quantification, by GHGSat's satellites, of the CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> emissions from an active gas leak from a downstream natural gas distribution pipeline near Cheltenham, UK, in the spring and summer of 2023 and provide the first validation of the satellite-derived emission estimates using surface-based mobile greenhouse gas surveys. We also use a Lagrangian transport model, the UK Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME), to estimate the flux from both satellite- and ground-based observation methods and assess the leak's contribution to observed concentrations at a local tall tower site (30 km away). We find GHGSat's emission estimates to be in broad agreement with those made from the in situ measurements. During the study period (March–June 2023) GHGSat's emission estimates are 236–1357 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>, whereas the mobile surface measurements are 634–846 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>. The large variability is likely down to variations in flow through the pipe and engineering works across the 11-week period. Modelled flux estimates in NAME are 181–1243 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>, which are lower than the satellite- and mobile-survey-derived fluxes but are within the uncertainty. After detecting the leak in March 2023, the local utility company was contacted, and the leak was fixed by mid-June 2023. Our results demonstrate that GHGSat's observations can produce flux estimates that broadly agree with surface-based mobile measurements. Validating the accuracy of the information provided by targeted, high-resolution satellite monitoring shows how it can play an important role in identifying emission sources, including unplanned fugitive releases that are inherently challenging to identify, track, and estimate their impact and duration. Rapid, widespread access to such data to inform local action to address fugitive emission sources across the oil and gas supply chain could play a significant role in reducing anthropogenic contributions to climate change.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T22:54:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b47251203ecf4cf4a6fc9f267a4617c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T22:54:02Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| spelling | doaj.art-b47251203ecf4cf4a6fc9f267a4617c02024-03-18T09:38:06ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482024-03-01171599161510.5194/amt-17-1599-2024First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UKE. Dowd0E. Dowd1A. J. Manning2B. Orth-Lashley3M. Girard4J. France5J. France6R. E. Fisher7D. Lowry8M. Lanoisellé9J. R. Pitt10K. M. Stanley11S. O'Doherty12D. Young13G. Thistlethwaite14M. P. Chipperfield15M. P. Chipperfield16E. Gloor17C. Wilson18C. Wilson19School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKNational Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKMet Office Hadley Centre, Exeter, UKGHGSat Inc., Montréal, CanadaGHGSat Inc., Montréal, CanadaDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UKEnvironmental Defense Fund, 41 Eastcheap, London, UKDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UKDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UKDepartment of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UKSchool of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKSchool of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKSchool of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKSchool of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKUK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, Ricardo Energy & Environment, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UKSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKNational Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKSchool of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKNational Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK<p>Atmospheric methane (CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span>) is the second-most-important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and has a 20-year global warming potential 82 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>). Anthropogenic sources account for <span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 60 % of global CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> emissions, of which 20 % come from oil and gas exploration, production and distribution. High-resolution satellite-based imaging spectrometers are becoming important tools for detecting and monitoring CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> point source emissions, aiding mitigation. However, validation of these satellite measurements, such as those from the commercial GHGSat satellite constellation, has so far not been documented for active leaks. Here we present the monitoring and quantification, by GHGSat's satellites, of the CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> emissions from an active gas leak from a downstream natural gas distribution pipeline near Cheltenham, UK, in the spring and summer of 2023 and provide the first validation of the satellite-derived emission estimates using surface-based mobile greenhouse gas surveys. We also use a Lagrangian transport model, the UK Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME), to estimate the flux from both satellite- and ground-based observation methods and assess the leak's contribution to observed concentrations at a local tall tower site (30 km away). We find GHGSat's emission estimates to be in broad agreement with those made from the in situ measurements. During the study period (March–June 2023) GHGSat's emission estimates are 236–1357 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>, whereas the mobile surface measurements are 634–846 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>. The large variability is likely down to variations in flow through the pipe and engineering works across the 11-week period. Modelled flux estimates in NAME are 181–1243 kg CH<span class="inline-formula"><sub>4</sub></span> h<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>, which are lower than the satellite- and mobile-survey-derived fluxes but are within the uncertainty. After detecting the leak in March 2023, the local utility company was contacted, and the leak was fixed by mid-June 2023. Our results demonstrate that GHGSat's observations can produce flux estimates that broadly agree with surface-based mobile measurements. Validating the accuracy of the information provided by targeted, high-resolution satellite monitoring shows how it can play an important role in identifying emission sources, including unplanned fugitive releases that are inherently challenging to identify, track, and estimate their impact and duration. Rapid, widespread access to such data to inform local action to address fugitive emission sources across the oil and gas supply chain could play a significant role in reducing anthropogenic contributions to climate change.</p>https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/17/1599/2024/amt-17-1599-2024.pdf |
| spellingShingle | E. Dowd E. Dowd A. J. Manning B. Orth-Lashley M. Girard J. France J. France R. E. Fisher D. Lowry M. Lanoisellé J. R. Pitt K. M. Stanley S. O'Doherty D. Young G. Thistlethwaite M. P. Chipperfield M. P. Chipperfield E. Gloor C. Wilson C. Wilson First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| title | First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK |
| title_full | First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK |
| title_fullStr | First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK |
| title_full_unstemmed | First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK |
| title_short | First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK |
| title_sort | first validation of high resolution satellite derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the uk |
| url | https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/17/1599/2024/amt-17-1599-2024.pdf |
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