Researchers at UCLA’s Emmett Institute have released new findings based on satellite data identifying the largest sources of methane emissions from US oil and gas operations. The analysis, which examined activity from January 2025 through June, pinpointed a gas processing facility operated by Energy Transfer near Shreveport, Louisiana, as the single largest methane emitter in the country. The facility discharged methane at an average rate of 1.56 tonnes per hour during the study period, significantly exceeding the threshold established by the EPA for classifying facilities as super-emitters.
The research combined satellite imagery from the Tanager-1 satellite with public records to identify potentially responsible operators for major methane plumes. The study focused on three major oil and gas production regions—the Permian, Appalachian, and Haynesville-Bossier basins—which together account for approximately two-thirds of US gas production. Across these areas, researchers detected 1,097 methane plumes from oil and gas sources, though they were able to assign an operator to only about one-third of these incidents using publicly available information.
Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based company that operates an extensive network of pipelines and processing facilities, accounted for four of the 15 worst-performing sites identified in the rankings, with responsibility for 75 total methane plumes during the study period—triple the amount attributed to the next largest operator. Other significant methane producers identified include Enterprise Products, Targa Resources, and Enlink. Researchers noted that many facilities appeared repeatedly in the data, suggesting ongoing pollution events rather than isolated incidents.
The findings highlight ongoing concerns about methane emissions reporting and oversight. Scientists estimate that actual US oil and gas methane emissions are approximately 64% higher than official EPA figures, indicating substantial underreporting of pollution. Researchers acknowledged limitations in satellite detection, including cloud cover that obscures emissions from visibility. Additionally, current regulations do not penalize operators for methane releases, whether from intentional venting to manage pressure buildup or from leaks. The Trump administration has placed the EPA’s super-emitter program on hold, though climate experts emphasize that reducing methane emissions remains critical for addressing climate change.
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