Posted on 12/31/2014 2:47:37 PM PST by smokingfrog
Scientists are beginning to question the ramifications of a giant Delaware-sized methane hot spot high up in the air. The “giant plume” is the largest collection of greenhouse gas in the air above the U.S. and is likely the result of natural gas leaks.
It’s located over a stretch of desert in Southeast New Mexico, and NASA scientists have studied the methane cloud as a potent climate changer for the past three years.
When it first appeared, scientists questioned its existence.
“We couldn’t be sure that the signal was real,” NASA researcher Christian Frankenberg told the Washington Post.
But NASA teams and University of Michigan scientists verified the methane “hot spot” in October. The study’s lead author Eric Kort says it’s unlikely that the methane emissions were caused by fracking alone, as the period in which scientists have studied the cloud predates “the widespread use of hydraulic fracturing.” Kort says the methane emissions are likely due instead to leaks in natural gas extraction and processing equipment in New Mexico's San Juan Basin.
"The results are indicative that emissions from established fossil fuel harvesting techniques are greater than inventoried," Kort said. "There's been so much attention on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but we need to consider the industry as a whole."
Although not detectable by the naked eye, the cloud is visible from outer space. NASA scientists estimate the plume has reached over 2,500 square miles in the past decade.
It’s only the latest episode of documented massive gas leaks, and infrared cameras are currently being used to detect the natural gas surfacing from wells and compressors across the country.
Methane is considered to be twenty times more harmful a greenhouse gas than carbon-dioxide.
(Excerpt) Read more at us.sputniknews.com ...
I actually do not believe any of this is true. I just don’t believe it.
It is too convenient and manipulative to be true.
You think? LoL!
This is in parts per BILLION... It is barely even measurable...
I was hoping my fireworks plan for New Year’s Eve would go undiscovered. O well.
Methane? What happens if someone lights a match up there? Boom?
so the cloud is between 30-40 PARTS PER BILLION ?!?
Geez.
Cows. EPA must ban them immediately.
New Mexico has the third largest number of natural gas preserves and is the sixth largest producer of natural gas in the United States, producing over 1.2 billion ft3 of natural gas per year. This is enough to supply 18 million homes with natural gas. In 2011, New Mexico accounted for 5.3% of the United States marketed production of natural gas. There are about 600 to 700 wells drilled and completed each year. New Mexico’s main gas producing region is located in the San Juan Basin, around Aztec, Bloomfield, and Farmington. It is one of the world’s largest natural gas fields. Currently, there are tens of thousands of producing wells in the region. The second largest gas-producing area is known as the Permian Basin, located in and around Lovington, Artesia, Hobbs, and Carlsbad. The gas industry brings over 6 million dollars every day in taxes and royalties to New Mexico.
I’ll believe it isn’t seepage from coal when the EPA has point source testing in areas underlain by coal which prove negative. They are still trying to blame “fracking” (fraccing) and they can’t even spell it right.
No. 2:
Stampeding Illegal immigrants giving off late stage emissions from a frijole diet?
Oh Climate Change gas - we worship your awesome power! Thou art able to do anything!
Exactly what I was thinking of. Eau de bovine
Judging from that satellite image, the Navajo Nation must be responsible.
Sounds like the makings of a $hit storm.
I think we all knew this thread was going to be ripe as soon as we saw the title... hehe
South East New Mexico? That would be the Roswell-Carlsbad-Hobbs area!
yet then they mention the San Juan Basin which in in the North West Farmington-Aztec-Bloomfield corner!
Both are heavy gas producers and I’ve lived in both. Wish I was there now!
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