Scientists: Gas leaks caused an increase of US methane production

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US scientists have discovered a significant buildup of methane in the Southwest of the country. The experts estimated that the increase of a greenhouse gas was caused by natural gas leaks in the region, the Oilprice.com reports.

The leaks have been found in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The scientists explain that they are coming from wells, pipelines, storage facilities and processing plants across the abovementioned locations. They are believed to cause as much as two-thirds of all gas leaks. The resting part comes from untapped deposits.

Methane is proved to be a larger contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming than carbon dioxide that is more frequently described in all media. According to different researches methane is between 25 and 86 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. Methane is always found in oil and natural gas fields. The Environmental Protection Agency claimed that methane emission from the industry should be reduced by more than 40 percent over the next 10 years.