Operators

EPA’s emission revision: More rules, double the methane, triple the tax

New Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program rules set to alter the current emissions landscape by 130% among U.S. upstream and gathering entities

byEnverus

CALGARY, Alberta (Sept. 19, 2023) — Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS platform, has released a report that analyzes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest proposed changes to Subpart W of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), quantifying the impacts on total reported methane, CO2e emissions levels and IRA methane fee liabilities across U.S. sectors and basins. EIR has pinpointed the most material new source categories and calculations and assess their potential to significantly alter the current emissions landscape among upstream and gathering entities in the U.S.

“The EPA’s latest proposal would drastically change reported methane from the oil and gas industry in the U.S.,” said John Gutentag, product owner with EIR.

“We model that the new regulations would more than double 2021 reported methane if implemented and increase overall CO2e emissions by 41%. This has huge implications for exposure to the IRA’s methane fee that kicks in next year, a year before this proposal is projected to take effect and will cause PR headaches as companies will inevitably reset emission reduction targets and baselines.”

Key takeaways:

  • EIR calculates that the EPA’s revisions lead to an estimated 130% increase in 2021 reported methane emissions and a 41% increase in overall CO2e emissions from the upstream and gathering sectors.
  • EIR sees four categories driving the increase in reported methane: super-emitter events, higher emission factors for equipment leaks, updates to combustion slip from engines and lowered flaring efficiencies, contributing an additional 2.3 million metric tonnes (Mt). Total reported methane emissions in 2021 amounted to 1.9 Mt.
  • The proposal could expose more than half of upstream assets and all gathering assets to the IRA’s future methane tax, disproportionately impacting lower-producing, higher-emitting assets that may be forced to shut in production when faced with higher taxes and monitoring costs.

Additional resources:

Members of the media should contact Jon Haubert to schedule an interview with one of Enverus’ expert analysts.

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of Enverus products including Enverus Intelligence® Research, and Enverus ESG® Analytics.

Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up for Enverus’ press list or update your email preferences.

View all Enverus news releases at Envers.com/newsroom.

About Enverus
Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS platform, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 98% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 35,000 suppliers. Our platform, with intelligent connections, drives more efficient production and distribution, capital allocation, renewable energy development, investment and sourcing; and our experienced industry experts support our customers through thought leadership, consulting and technology innovations. We provide intelligence across the energy ecosystem: renewables, oil and gas, financial institutions, and power and utilities, with more than 6,000 customers in 50 countries. Learn more at Enverus.com.

About Enverus Intelligence Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations, and macro-economic forecasts and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies, and capital providers worldwide.

Media Contact: Jon Haubert | 303.396.5996

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

Global drilling availability narrows as demand rises
Newsroom
Oilfield Services
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research identifies the global regions best positioned for rig deployment and the geopolitical and operational factors shaping future growth. Discover where global land drilling opportunities are emerging as international demand rises and market access becomes increasingly constrained.

Enverus unveils top U.S. drillers of 2026
Newsroom
Oilfield Services
ByJon Haubert

Enverus releases its 2026 rankings of top U.S. land drilling contractors and customers, using the latest drilling data to benchmark footage, pace, well design and rig activity.

Who the FERC is ready Grading grid readiness for large loads
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research evaluates U.S. grid readiness for large data center loads, finding SPP ahead on regulatory certainty while major PJM and MISO project pipelines remain exposed to timing and cost risks.

Behind-the-meter generation forecast Skipping the queue
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research forecasts 25.5 GW of U.S. industrial demand will rely on behind-the-meter generation through 2030, with data centers driving 88% of demand and speed-to-power shaping technology choices.

2Q26 U.S. upstream M&A slows to $9.1 billion amid crude volatility
Newsroom
Financial Services, Operators
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research examines the 2Q26 slowdown in U.S. upstream M&A and the factors that could drive stronger deal activity later in 2026.

Brent holds at $100 as global supply risks persist
Newsroom
Financial Services, Trading & Risk
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research examines the 2Q26 slowdown in U.S. upstream M&A and the factors that could drive stronger deal activity later in 2026.

Race to resiliency Tax-credit phaseout expected to push renewable PPA prices higher
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research identifies 759 planned U.S. wind and solar projects that may require higher PPA prices to remain economic as federal clean electricity tax credits phase out.

New Mexico geothermal lease sale resets federal acreage pricing
Newsroom
Financial Services, Midstream
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research finds New Mexico’s BLM geothermal lease sale averaged $107/acre and set multiple records, resetting pricing expectations ahead of Idaho’s November auction.

New forecast separates organic electricity demand from structural load growth
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research’s 80-zone Lower 48 forecast separates organic electricity demand from data centers, EVs and other structural drivers to clarify the baseline outlook through 2050.

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business
Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Subscribe?

Ready to Get Started?