**GAO-11-34**                      Published: Oct 29, 2010. Publicly Released: Nov 29, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The Department of the Interior (Interior) leases public lands for oil and natural gas development, which generated about $9 billion in royalties in 2009. Some gas produced on these leases cannot be easily captured and is released (vented) directly to the atmosphere or is burned (flared). This vented and flared gas represents potential lost royalties for Interior and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. GAO was asked to (1) examine available estimates of the vented and flared natural gas on federal leases, (2) estimate the potential to capture additional gas with available technologies and associated potential increases in royalty payments and decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and (3) assess the federal role in reducing venting and flaring. In addressing these objectives, GAO analyzed data from Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others and interviewed agency and industry officials.

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Frank Rusco
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## Topics

Energy

Data collectionEnvironmental monitoringFederal regulationsGas leasesGreenhouse gasesLand leasesLossesNatural gasOil leasesPublic landsReporting requirementsRoyalty payments

## Multimedia

## Video

Vented Gas Visible Through Infrared CameraFriday, October 29, 2010Receive GAO Updates
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