Methane Emissions from Inactive Oil and Gas Wells in Canada Vastly Underestimated, Study Finds

markrenngont

Methane emissions from Canada’s non-producing oil and gas wells are likely seven times higher than current government estimates, according to a groundbreaking study led by researchers at McGill University. The findings expose a major gap in Canada's official greenhouse gas reporting and raise urgent concerns about how methane leaks are tracked, measured, and managed.

“Non-producing wells are one of the most uncertain sources of methane emissions in Canada,” said Mary Kang, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at McGill and senior author of the study. “We recorded the highest methane emission rate ever reported from a non-producing oil and gas well in the country.”

The research, published in Environmental Science & Technology, involved direct measurements of methane emissions from 494 wells across five provinces. Using a chamber-based technique, the team also analyzed well-level factors such as age, depth, and plugging status.

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Their national emissions estimate of 230 kilotonnes of methane per year dwarfs the 34 kilotonnes currently reported in Canada’s National Inventory Report, signaling a substantial undercounting in official data.

With over 425,000 inactive wells across Canada—most located in Alberta and Saskatchewan—the study's sample represents just 0.1% of the total. However, the team’s analysis shows that emissions are highly concentrated among a small subset of wells, particularly unplugged gas wells, which are responsible for the majority of methane leaks.

Kang emphasized the strategic importance of this finding: “Instead of randomly measuring more wells, we can focus on those with characteristics that suggest high emissions, making monitoring and mitigation efforts far more efficient.”

Another key insight: methane emission drivers varied significantly between provinces. “We expected geological variation to dominate,” said Kang, “but differences in policy and operational practices at the provincial level appear to be the more important factor.”

The researchers also highlight the opportunity to repurpose inactive wells. “Many of these sites could be converted to support clean energy projects, like wind, solar, or geothermal,” said Jade Boutot, a Ph.D. student in Kang’s lab and co-author of the study. Such conversions could also help fund long-term emissions monitoring.

Ultimately, the study underscores the need to improve methane tracking and well management strategies if Canada hopes to meet its climate goals. “Better methane data is essential for aligning our emissions targets with reality,” Kang concluded.