A new report says Hilcorp Energy emits far more methane into the atmosphere than any other oil and gas producer in the United States.
Texas-based Hilcorp is Alaska’s second-largest oil producer. Nationally, it produces far less energy than Exxon Mobil, but emits nearly 50 percent more methane pollution, according to the report, which was produced by consulting firm M.J. Bradley & Associates for two non-profits.
Methane is the primary ingredient in natural gas. It is emitted from the transfer of liquid, cracked equipment and bad seals, among other ways.
Methane is a powerful contributor to global warming. It’s 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
The report shows little methane escaping from Arctic Alaska, where most of the state’s oil production is located: Gas there is re-injected underground into wells.
A leaking Cook Inlet pipeline contributed to Hilcorp’s high methane escapement, but Hilcorp’s larger methane problems are in the Lower 48, according to the public data sources M.J. Bradley relied on.
A Hilcorp spokesman said by email the report’s conclusions are meant to advance the agenda of groups that sponsored it, the Clean Air Task Force and another climate advocacy organization called Ceres.
The spokesman said Hilcorp buys aging assets and improves them, saying the emissions data does not give the company full credit for the improvements. He also said “nearly all (of) Hilcorp Alaska’s facilities have decreased emissions since coming under our ownership.”
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
