![]() ![]() ![]() "Because these reported emissions are underestimating Saskatchewan's total, it means that a lot of emissions are likely to evade proper control under the current regulations." But this is just what's over and above what they have reported," Seymour said, explaining that this figure represents an estimate of how much this methane would be worth if it could have been repurposed for use. These sites are reporting some level of emissions. "We've estimated that it's about $40 million worth of (methane) gas that's been unreported and released directly to atmosphere from these (heavy oil production) wells just since 2020. Environmental Protection Agency, it's the second most abundant greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide, accounting for around 20 per cent of global emissions. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is more than 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. In 2020, the province's greenhouse gas emissions per capita were the highest in Canada, with the oil and gas sector making up 26 per cent of all of Saskatchewan's greenhouse gas emissions that year, according to data from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Saskatchewan is Canada's second largest oil producing region after Alberta. heavy oil production emitting 4 times more methane gas than reported, study says ![]() The study, released last week in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters, follows up on earlier research published in February, which found that Saskatchewan's heavy oil production was emitting four times more methane gas than was reported to the government. "So this is our opportunity to significantly cut greenhouse gases being emitted in Canada." "In Canada, the oil and gas sector is the largest contribution to methane emissions," Seymour said. It's something researchers say needs to change if Canada is to stand a chance in fighting climate change. The cause, according to researchers, is unreliable emissions regulations in the province, which rely on estimates and are difficult to enforce. Climate Barometer newsletter: Sign up to keep your finger on the climate pulse."And what we find is that the methane emissions from Saskatchewan are 30 to 40 per cent higher than the federal inventory would suggest." "What we did with this study in Saskatchewan was incorporating some new measurement data into Saskatchewan's upstream oil and gas methane inventory," Scott Seymour, a senior research analyst with the Environmental Defence Fund and the lead author of the study, told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview. It means that while the province appears to be making big strides in methane emissions reductions, it may actually be releasing tonnes of the powerful greenhouse gas into the atmosphere uncounted, putting a wrench in Canada's progress towards cutting emissions. A new study has found that Saskatchewan's methane emissions are up to 40 per cent higher than what is currently reported - backing up earlier research suggesting that the province is underestimating how much of the greenhouse gas is being released. ![]()
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