Months after Experts report two significant methane clouds on the Zaap-S platform in 2022 and that a United Nations agency pointed out problems in the area to the Mexican government in July 2023, the site continued to experience recurring leaks in 2023according to a Reuters analysis of UN data.
Reuters analysis identified methane fumaroles on 25 different days in the area of the Zaap-S platform. based on data from the International Methane Emissions Observatory of the United Nations Environment Program (IMEO-UNEP), which was released in December 2023. UNEP confirmed that the methane plumes identified by Reuters came from a platform located in the Strait of Campeche.
Already in 2022, Reuters reported that researchers had discovered leaks. UNEP scientists would have detected a methane leak in Saap-S, which would likely have been related to problems with deck burnerto which Pemex responded that the researchers had confused methane with nitrogen.
Photo: Maxar Technologies via Reuters
A UNEP representative said that the methane observatory informed the Mexican government in July 2023 of the first nine fumaroles. shortly after they were identified. According to Manfredi Caltagirone, director of IMEO, Zaap-C speakers will “very, very significant” emissions will be visible from space via satellite. According to UNEP, at the time of detection, the release into the atmosphere ranged from 13 to just over 100 tons of methane per hour.
According to Evan Sherwin, a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Leaks in Zaap-C may be the result of a burner not being lit, so a solution to this problem must be technically feasible.
In its turn, Pemex had previously denied any leaks at the oil facility. Neither Pemex, the Office of the President, the Energy Ministry or the Security, Energy and Environment Agency responded to Reuters requests for comment.
In the short term, methane is a more potent greenhouse gas contributor than carbon dioxide. because it traps more heat in the atmosphere.
As a commitment to the Global Methane Commitment signed at COP26, Mexico has committed to reducing methane emissions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Reuters and SRE
Source: Aristegui Noticias
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
