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OUR RESEARCH PARTICIPATION
ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY THROUGH RIGOROUS RESEARCH

Methane Emissions from Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada: The Role of Surface Casing Vent Flows
This study provides a detailed analysis of methane emissions from 238 unplugged and plugged abandoned wells across Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. By separating emissions from surface casing vents and other wellhead sources, the research reveals that surface casing vent leaks account for up to 82% of emissions, totaling 70 kilotonnes of methane annually. The findings highlight significant well integrity failures, with subsurface leaks occurring at 32% of abandoned wells—much higher than previous estimates. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to address the environmental risks of abandoned wells, including groundwater contamination and greenhouse gas emissions

Controlled-release testing of the static chamber methodology for direct measurements of methane emissions
This study evaluates the accuracy of the static chamber method for measuring methane emissions at the component level, critical for actionable mitigation strategies. By analyzing data from 64 controlled-release tests and the IPCC Emission Factor Database, it identifies optimal chamber configurations, revealing that smaller chambers (≤ 20 L) achieve ±5% accuracy. The research highlights the underrepresentation of low methane flow rates (less than 100 g/h) in prior experiments and demonstrates the effectiveness of fans in enhancing chamber accuracy, especially for larger chambers. These findings inform the design of advanced measurement systems for landfills, sewer systems, and oil and gas infrastructure.

Characterizing multifaceted environmental risks of oil and gas well leakage through soil and well methane and hydrogen sulfide emissions
This study provides a novel analysis of methane (CH₄) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emissions from oil and gas wells and surrounding soils in Ontario and Quebec. Measuring emissions from 102 wells and nearby soils, the research reveals critical risks to air quality, climate, and safety, including explosions. It highlights emission hotspots, estimates explosion-linked emissions, and maps thousands of wells in urban areas, emphasizing the environmental and health hazards of abandoned wells. This dataset offers a comprehensive foundation for addressing climate impacts, air quality concerns, and urban safety linked to oil and gas wells.

Reducing oil and gas well leakage: a review of leakage drivers, methane detection and repair options
This comprehensive review addresses methane and contaminant leakage from active and abandoned oil and gas wells, exploring factors influencing leakage, emissions measurement, and repair strategies. By analyzing 38 factors, the study identifies consistent drivers, conflicting findings, and gaps in monitoring policies. The review highlights major deficiencies in geographical methane data and the lack of differentiation between orphaned and abandoned wells, which limits policy effectiveness. Additionally, it evaluates repair options, emphasizing the need for alternatives beyond traditional cementing. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to reduce oil and gas well leakage and its climate impacts.

Methane and hydrogen sulfide emissions from abandoned, active, and marginally producing oil and gas wells in Ontario, Canada
This study explores the often-overlooked environmental impacts of methane and hydrogen sulfide emissions from oil and gas wells in Ontario, Canada. Through field measurements and data analysis, the research delves into emission severity and magnitude and highlights the factors influencing leakage rates. The findings underscore the importance of targeted mitigation strategies to address these emissions, which are contributors to climate change and air quality degradation. This paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental scientists aiming to tackle the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas infrastructure.
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