Methane Mitigation Technologies

The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM) Methane Mitigation Technologies program began in 2016 as part of an effort to prioritize the reduction of methane emissions across the United States. Since then, FECM has been investing in methane detection, measurement, and reduction technologies that will minimize the environmental impacts associated with the production, transportation, and utilization of fossil energy sources across the United States, including coal, oil, and natural gas—with a specific focus on reducing methane emissions. The Methane Mitigation Technologies program aims to eliminate methane emissions from the oil and gas supply chain by 2030.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and accounts for about 20 percent of global emissions—the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. However, methane has a relatively short atmospheric life, approximately 10 years—therefore, the immediate reduction of methane emissions is a key opportunity to slow the rapid rate of global warming. 

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the scale of reduction of global methane emissions could decide whether global warming can be kept below 1.5°C and whether tipping points will be reached, which would accelerate irreversible changes to the climate. 

The Methane Mitigation Technologies program is focused on developing accurate, cost effective and efficient technology solutions and best practices to identify, measure, monitor and eliminate methane emissions from these sources. Methane mitigation research and development (R&D) efforts include advanced materials of pipeline construction, monitoring sensors, data management systems, and more efficient and flexible compressor stations. Research efforts for methane emissions quantification will focus on developing technologies to detect, locate, and measure emissions. This includes the development and validation of measurement sensor technologies for the collection, dissemination, and analysis of emissions data, which will inform efforts, such as the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and orphan well remediation programs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Interior (DOI), respectively. 

The Office is also working on creating innovative solutions to reduce associated gas flaring and venting, including alternative uses for the “stranded” natural gas, through modular technologies designed to convert the gas to higher-value solid and liquid products that can be transported efficiently. In addition, modular conversion technologies designed to generate hydrogen as a clean, distributed energy carrier is also being pursued.