but the focus on better designs and materials increased maintenance and inspection required to implement the solution is likely to also lead to better safety levels less downtime and more efficient operations and probably also health benefits from reduced emissions of reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air pollutants associated with oil and natural gas extraction as well the epa has also expanded this programme to international partners and has recently also initiated the natural gas star methane challenge programme in which partners make public measurable commitments in return for having their commitments and eventual achievements showcased they have achieved methane intensity reductions of more than per year since the early s although their absolute methane intensities are still nearly times as high as the united states