The debate around North Sea drilling is heating up again. But one thing is being overlooked in the arguments: the huge problem of methane leaks.

Evidence suggests methane emissions from UK oil and gas extraction are being routinely under reported because operators base reports on estimates, not direct measurement. This raises serious questions about the persuasive claim made by the industry that UK oil and gas is cleaner and greener than imports.

That matters because:

• cutting methane is one of the fastest ways to slow down climate change;
• cutting leaks also means wasting less gas and increasing tax receipts from the industry;
• and if emissions are much higher than reported, claims that UK production is cleaner than imports become much harder to sustain.

This story, linked below, explores the evidence around this hidden issue and what needs to be done about it.