Oil's Dark Secret: Air Pollution's Main Culprit?

Oil and gas production has a significant impact on air quality and human health. Despite global efforts to transition to clean energy, oil and gas production is increasing in the United States, causing concern among health experts. Oil and gas operations emit a variety of air contaminants, including methane, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, and have been linked to adverse health effects such as childhood asthma and even cancer. Fugitive emissions, such as unintentional leaks of gases, also contribute to air pollution from the oil and gas sector. The health impacts of oil and gas pollution are not limited to those living near extraction sites, as pollution can travel long distances. To protect public health and mitigate climate change, it is crucial to address the full life cycle of oil and gas use and reduce emissions.

Oil and gas development processes emit a variety of air contaminants

The oil and gas development process involves exploration, field organisation, production, and site abandonment. Each phase requires some degree of construction and soil disturbance through the use of machinery, generating particulate matter and stirring up dust. These activities can form ground-level ozone or smog. Additionally, if gas wells use glycol dehydrators to remove water from the gas, they may release aromatic organic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene, into the atmosphere.

The combustion of fossil fuels, including flaring, production, and processing, releases carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas implicated in climate change. CO2 can cause health issues such as hypertension, headaches, dizziness, nerve damage, and skin and eye irritation. Fugitive emissions, or unintentional leaks, from breaks or improper closures in equipment, can release methane, VOCs, and other contaminants like hydrogen sulfide.

Furthermore, the burning of fuel to power trucks and equipment emits nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and adverse health effects. Natural gas operations also produce semi-liquid condensates composed of hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, xylenes, and ethylbenzene (BTEX). BTEX chemicals have sweet, aromatic odours and are associated with central nervous system, neurological, and reproductive impacts.

The impact of air pollution from the oil and gas sector is significant, with studies showing substantial adverse effects on air quality, human health, and health costs. It is important to address the full life cycle of oil and gas, from production to combustion, to effectively protect public health and mitigate the serious consequences of their emissions.

Oil and gas production, processing, and use emit many greenhouse gases

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. In 2022, 60% of electricity in the US came from burning fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas. Oil and gas exploration, production, refining, processing, and combustion emit toxic air pollutants, including methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted from vehicles and equipment used in oil operations and contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone or smog in the lower atmosphere.

In addition to fugitive emissions from leaks, oil and gas operations also release pollutants during combustion in power plants, vehicles, buildings, and industry. These emissions have serious consequences for human health, with studies linking them to thousands of early deaths and childhood asthma cases. The five states with the highest impacts from oil and gas pollution in the US are Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, which have significant oil and gas activity. However, Illinois and New York, which produce little oil and gas, still ranked high in terms of health impacts, demonstrating the need for regional and nationwide coordination to address air pollution.

To reduce emissions from oil and gas operations, several measures can be implemented, including tackling methane emissions, eliminating non-emergency flaring, electrifying upstream facilities with low-emissions electricity, and adopting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. By implementing these strategies, the International Energy Agency's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario aims to reduce emissions intensity from oil and gas activities by 50% by the end of the decade, resulting in a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030.

Oil and gas operations produce fugitive emissions, which are unintentional leaks of gases

Oil and gas operations produce fugitive emissions, which are the unintentional release of gases or vapours into the atmosphere from industrial processes, equipment, or infrastructure. These emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and can have harmful effects on both human health and the environment.

Fugitive emissions can occur during the extraction, production, processing, storage, transportation, and distribution of oil and gas. The primary sources of fugitive emissions in the oil and gas industry include defective equipment, such as valves, pipes, and pumps, as well as leaks in pipelines, tanks, and storage facilities. Natural gas wells that produce semi-liquid condensates, which are composed of hydrocarbons, can also contribute to fugitive emissions.

The most common cause of fugitive emissions is the loss of well integrity through poorly sealed well casings due to geochemically unstable cement. This allows gas to escape through the well itself or via lateral migration. In addition, cracks or corrosion in pipelines, as well as faulty seals and structural issues in storage tanks, can lead to the escape of gases. Offshore operations face additional challenges due to the harsh marine environment, which can cause damage to subsea equipment, pipelines, and wellheads.

Fugitive emissions from the oil and gas industry primarily consist of methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector accounted for 5.8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. Other gases released include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. These emissions contribute to climate change and the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog.

The health impacts of fugitive emissions from the oil and gas industry are significant. Exposure to pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds has been linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, and childhood asthma. The adverse effects of air pollution from the oil and gas sector have been particularly notable in states with significant oil and gas activity, such as Texas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. However, the impacts can also cross state boundaries, underscoring the need for regional and nationwide coordination to address the issue.

Oil and gas combustion in power plants, vehicles, buildings, and industry releases pollutants

The combustion of oil and gas releases toxic gases, including methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds contribute to the formation of harmful ozone in the lower atmosphere. VOCs are emitted from vehicles, equipment, and surrounding communities, as well as evaporating directly from oil and gas during extraction, storage, and transportation. The combustion of oil and gas in power plants, vehicles, and industry also releases pollutants. For example, burning fuel to power trucks emits NOx, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, as well as particulate matter, which combines with VOCs to form ground-level ozone or smog.

Additionally, leaks, flames, and excessive emissions from refineries release dangerous air pollutants or toxicants known to cause cancer and congenital disabilities. Leaky valves and pumps can cause fugitive VOC emissions, and natural gas leaks can release methane and other contaminants into the atmosphere. Fugitive emissions can occur from breaks or small cracks in seals, tubing, valves, or pipelines, or when equipment is not properly sealed. The use of diesel and gasoline engines in drilling, completion, and workover trucks, rigs, and pumps also contributes to air pollution, emitting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, BTEX, formaldehyde, and metals.

The health impacts of oil and gas air pollution are significant. A study found that in 2016, pollutants from U.S. oil and gas production contributed to 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma. These health impacts are not limited to areas with significant oil and gas production but also extend to densely populated cities with little or no gas activity, such as Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC. The authors of the study urge policymakers to address the full life cycle of oil and gas, from well to wheels, power plants, and furnaces, to effectively protect public health and slow climate change.

Oil and gas production impacts air quality, human health, and health costs

Oil and gas production has a significant impact on air quality, human health, and associated health costs. The air toxicants and greenhouse gases emitted during oil exploration, production, refining, processing, and combustion have severe environmental and health consequences.

Air Quality Impacts

Oil and gas production releases toxicants and greenhouse gases, including methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone in the lower atmosphere. VOCs, specifically, are released from vehicles, equipment, and oil storage and transportation operations. Refineries, which convert crude oil into products like gasoline and diesel fuel, are also significant sources of air pollutants. Leaks, flames, and excessive emissions from refineries release dangerous pollutants, including fugitive VOCs, which have severe environmental and health impacts.

Health Impacts

The health impacts of oil and gas production are far-reaching and affect communities near production sites and densely populated cities with limited or no gas activity. A study by Boston University School of Public Health and other institutions found that air pollution from U.S. oil and gas production contributed to approximately 7,500 premature deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma in 2016. Additionally, people living near oil and gas wells in densely drilled shale basins have experienced increased health issues, including childhood leukemia, asthma attacks, congenital heart defects, low birth weight, and preterm births. Benzene, a known carcinogen, can reach dangerous levels near oil and gas facilities, posing a potential health risk to millions.

Health Costs

The health impacts of oil and gas production also carry significant economic costs. A study estimated that air pollution from U.S. oil and natural gas production incurs around $77 billion in health impacts annually. These costs include hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to health issues such as asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. The study underscores the need to include health impacts in discussions about oil and gas activity and to implement comprehensive regulatory actions to protect public health.

Frequently asked questions