The federal government has revealed stricter rules that the oil and gas industry must follow in order to significantly reduce methane gas emissions in Canada.

This was announced by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault today, Monday, during the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.

Similar to those announced by the United States in recent days, the new rules aim to help Canada achieve and exceed its target of reducing methane gas emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75% compared to current 2012 levels.

Methane is a colorless and odorless gas and is considered 80 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide for up to 20 years after its release into the atmosphere, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

An unconstitutional approach...

In a statement, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Regional Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz said Ottawa's approach is costly, dangerous, and unconstitutional.

They point out that the province has already implemented successful initiatives to reduce methane gas emissions: Alberta has already reduced methane emissions from the gas and oil sector by 45%.

Danielle Smith and Rebecca Schulz also condemned the lack of financial support from Ottawa to achieve its goals.

Burning ban and facility inspections...

The new regulations require oil and gas companies to seal methane gas leaks and ban flaring of natural gas. This process, which involves burning excess gas from oil and gas wells, releases amounts of methane five times higher than previous estimates (new window).

Regular facility inspections are also mandatory.

The regulation will also apply to thousands of local oil and gas facilities. Public consultations will begin on December 16.

The sharp decline in global methane gas emissions could slow the expected rise in average global temperatures by 0.1 degrees Celsius by 2050, according to a report issued in October by the International Energy Agency.

The goal of the Climate Summit is to reduce emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, to avoid a climate catastrophe.

The industry says it is cooperating...

The oil industry recognizes the need to reduce methane emissions faster. At least that is what Rona DelFrari, Head of Sustainability at Cenovus Energy, an oil and gas company in Calgary, says.

She added that Cenovus Energy has reduced methane emissions by 59% over the past three years and is now targeting an 80% reduction by 2028 compared to 2019 levels.

Oil extraction releases varying amounts of methane, with some companies capturing these gases and transporting them via pipelines to sell as natural gas, while others release them into the atmosphere or burn them.