EPA’s Voluntary Methane Programs for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
ANNOUNCEMENT
April 24, 2024 - EPA will sunset the Methane Challenge Partnership at the end of 2024. We are incredibly proud of what the Methane Challenge Partnership has achieved since its launch in 2016. Learn more about our Methane Challenge Partners’ achievements.
While there is still tremendous work to be done to tackle wasteful methane emissions, we recognize that regulatory efforts in the oil and gas sector, coupled with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, have set the stage for a new approach. EPA is eager to continue our collaboration with industry building on our long-standing relationship with partners and stakeholders for the past 30 years. The Inflation Reduction Act Methane Emissions Reduction Program provides new and greater opportunities for collaboration. EPA will continue providing a framework for technical support, stakeholder engagement, and sharing information about opportunities for reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. At the same time, we will expand our focus and resources towards a broader effort to support the entire oil and gas industry through technical assistance and outreach under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program umbrella.
EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program
EPA collaborates with oil and natural gas operators and industry stakeholders to encourage the identification and implementation of technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Reducing methane emissions reduces operational risk, increases efficiency, and demonstrates company concern for the environment, with benefits spanning from climate change to air quality improvements to conservation of a non-renewable energy resource. Through the Natural Gas STAR Program, EPA facilitates technology transfer and implementation workshops and webinars, shares technical resources, and collaborates with oil and gas operators.
Beginning in 1993, EPA hosted two successful partnerships and provided a forum for industry partners to share their innovative and voluntary actions to reduce methane emissions. Our Partners’ support for our shared mission empowered the industry to grow and innovate.
Methane Challenge Partnership (2016 – 2024)
Learn about the ambitious commitments Partners made through the Methane Challenge Partnership
![Logo for EPA's Methane Challenge Program](/https/www.epa.gov/system/files/styles/small/private/images/2021-07/mc-logo-color.png?itok=7CjV-1hL)
Natural Gas STAR Partnership (1993 – 2022)
Learn about nearly 30 years of methane reductions and technology transfer through the legacy Natural Gas STAR Partnership
![Logo for EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program](/https/www.epa.gov/system/files/styles/small/private/images/2021-07/ngs-logo-color.png?itok=rJQX2YhJ)
Program Resources
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Mitigation Technologies
View technologies to mitigate methane emissions
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Technical Presentations
View technical presentations from Natural Gas STAR events
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Videos About Methane Emissions
View videos about methane emissions in the oil and gas industry
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Outreach and Events
View upcoming and recent events sponsored by the Natural Gas STAR Program
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Oil and Gas Industry Overview
Learn about the natural gas industry as well as methane emissions from the industry
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Equipment and Service Provider Directory
View a list of equipment and service providers that can facilitate methane emission reductions from oil and gas operations
Why Focus on Methane?
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 28 times more powerful than CO2 in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period.
- Methane is a primary constituent of natural gas, an important energy source.
- Taking steps to reduce methane emissions reduces operational risk, increases efficiency, and demonstrates company concern for the environment, with benefits spanning from climate change to air quality improvements.
To learn more about methane, visit EPA's Overview of Greenhouse Gases page. For more information about methane emissions in the natural gas industry, see the Annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks sections on Natural Gas Systems.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2024). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022