Marginal Wells Drive 40% of Methane Emissions
Low-output US wells supply about 5 per cent of production but dominate emissions, a finding that bears on rules recently loosened for them.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Environmental
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Researchers found that marginal oil and gas wells in the United States, which produce less than 15 barrels of oil equivalent per day, account for about 40 per cent of the industry's methane emissions across the supply chain. The analysis is based on satellite data from MethaneSat covering more than 80 per cent of US onshore production, and is a research-stage study rather than a regulatory finding.
Why it matters
Marginal wells supply only about 5 per cent of US oil and gas output yet dominate methane emissions, shifting attention toward a small, specific set of sites. The findings arrive as the Trump administration has relaxed methane rules, including lower standards for marginal wells.
The estimate draws on MethaneSat satellite measurements from May 2024 to June 2025 covering more than 80 per cent of US onshore oil and gas production, then extrapolated to the contiguous US. Marginal wells' estimated intensity of 60 per cent compares with a global average near 2.9 per cent, though the source does not detail the uncertainty range of the extrapolation.
The players
MethaneSat
A satellite platform used to measure methane emissions from oil and gas production sites.
Trump administration
The US federal government that relaxed methane emissions rules for oil and gas wells in October 2026.
The details
Marginal wells are low-output sites, defined as producing under 15 barrels of oil equivalent per day, and they often leak methane, the main component of natural gas, during routine operation. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the researchers combined satellite observations with extrapolation to estimate emissions from oil and gas infrastructure across the contiguous US. Because these wells yield little fuel, each unit of gas they extract carries a far larger emissions load, roughly 10 times that of high-producing wells.
Timeline
2023: Industry methane intensity target of 0.2 per cent by 2030 unveiled at COP28 in Dubai.
May 2024 to June 2025: Satellite methane emissions data collection period.
October 2026: Trump administration relaxed methane emissions laws for oil and gas wells, including lower standards for marginal wells.
2030: Target year for the industry's methane intensity reduction goal.
The Tech Race
The research sits alongside satellite-based methane monitoring efforts that have been used to track emissions from oil and gas infrastructure. The industry's own 2030 target of 0.2 per cent methane intensity, announced at COP28, sets a benchmark against which the marginal-well figures can be measured.
Residents living near marginal wells may be most exposed to methane leaks, though the source does not specify timing of any policy effects. Tougher regulation or shutting these wells could reduce emissions quickly, but no availability or enforcement dates are given.
The takeaway
Watch for whether the 2030 industry target of 0.2 per cent methane intensity is revised in response to marginal-well data. Targeted rules for marginal wells remain the quickest near-term lever, according to the analysis.
Further reading
For broader context on how such emissions are tracked and regulated, explore Environmental coverage across the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Scientist.
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