Federal oil and gas leases
Subtitle: opportunities exist to capture vented and flared natural gas, which would increase royalty payments and reduce greenhouse gases : report to congressional requesters
Contributors: Rusco, F. W. (Frank W.)
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 50
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Greenhouse gas mitigation; Government policy; Gas industry; Oil and gas leases; Public lands; Management; United States. Department of the Interior; United States
Other titles: Opportunities exist to capture vented and flared natural gas, which would increase royalty payments and reduce greenhouse gases
Description: The Department of the 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. To reduce lost gas, increase royalties, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, GAO recommends that Interior improve its venting and flaring data and address limitations in its regulations and guidance.
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed on Dec. 6, 2010).

"October 2010."

"GAO-11-34."

Includes bibliographical references.

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Mode of access: World Wide Web.