A new analysis by researchers at UCLA’s Emmett Institute has ranked the largest methane-emitting oil and gas operations in the United States based on satellite imagery and public records. The study identified a gas processing facility operated by Energy Transfer near Shreveport, Louisiana, as the single largest methane super-emitter in the country, releasing methane at an average rate of 1.56 tonnes per hour during the study period from January 2025 through June of this year. This emission rate is approximately 15 times larger than the threshold established by the US Environmental Protection Agency under a program created during the Biden administration to classify and regulate super-emitter events.
Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based company that operates an extensive network of pipelines and processing properties across the United States, was identified as responsible for methane emissions at four of the 15 largest sites examined in the rankings, accounting for 75 methane plumes total during the study period—three times more than the next largest operator. Other major methane producers identified include Enterprise Products, Targa Resources, and Enlink. The company did not respond to inquiries about its efforts to reduce methane releases or whether the Shreveport facility was intentionally venting gas or experiencing leaks. Energy Transfer has previously reported implementing optical gas imaging inspections across hundreds of its facilities as part of its emissions reduction efforts.
The UCLA research utilized satellite data from Tanager-1, compiled by the non-profit Carbon Mapper, focusing on methane plumes detected in the Permian, Appalachian, and Haynesville-Bossier basins—major resource production areas that collectively account for roughly two-thirds of US natural gas production. Researchers detected approximately 1,097 methane plumes from oil and gas sources in these regions during the study period and were able to identify a responsible operator in approximately one-third of cases. Cara Horowitz, executive director of the UCLA Emmett Institute, emphasized that while satellite technology has made previously undetected emissions visible, the inability to identify operators for the majority of plumes raises significant transparency concerns.
Researchers have estimated that actual methane emissions from US oil and gas operations are approximately 64% higher than official EPA figures, suggesting significant underreporting of pollution from these sources. Methane can be released through leaks at drilling sites and pipelines or through intentional venting to relieve pressure in equipment, activities that currently face no regulatory penalties. Advocates note that satellite detection remains incomplete, as cloud cover can obscure emissions from monitoring systems. The Trump administration has placed implementation of the EPA’s super-emitter program on pause, though climate experts stress that reducing methane emissions remains critical for addressing climate change impacts.
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