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Nord Stream leaks likely single largest methane release ever: UN | Russia-Ukraine war News


The collapse of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline system Under the Baltic Sea has resulted in potentially the largest release of climate-damaging methane ever recorded, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) says.

The organization said on Friday.

Manfredi Caltagirone, head of UNEP’s IMEO, told Reuters: “This is really bad, very likely the biggest emissions event ever detected.

“This is not helpful in a time when we really need to reduce emissions.”

Researchers at GHGSat, which uses satellites to track methane emissions, estimated the rate of leaks from one of four break points is 22,920kg (about 50,000 lbs) per hour. That equates to burning about 630,000 pounds (about 286,000kg) of coal per hour, GHGSat said in a statement.

“The rate is very high, especially after four days from the first violation,” the company said.

The IMEO tweeted on Saturday that new data appears to suggest the methane leak appears to be easing.

“Analysis of new data provided by the Sentinel2 satellite today shows that the estimated diameter of the methane plume has been significantly reduced – from 520m to 290m. Similar reductions were also observed in the estimated concentrations of methane leaked during the pipeline rupture,” said IMEO,

The Danish and Swedish governments said at least two underwater explosions, capable of packing the destructive power of a bomb blast “corresponding to an explosive load of several hundred kilograms”, caused pipeline leaks. gas in the Baltic Sea this week.

The explosions measure 2.3 and 2.1 on the Richter scale, resulting in four leaks, releasing gas into the sea. Two of the leaks are on Danish territory; The other two are in Swedish territory.

In a statement Friday to the United Nations Security Council, the two countries noted that the escaping gas pipes disrupted ships in the air and at sea and could pose a danger to marine life. In addition, greenhouse gases are being released into the environment.

The leaks could continue until at least Sunday.

“All available information indicates that those explosives were the result of a deliberate act. Such actions are unacceptable, jeopardize international security and cause great concern to us,” the statement read.

Sweden’s coast guard also reported on Friday that the amount of gas leaking from the hole in its exclusion zone has decreased, after observing the situation from the air.

The Coast Guard also pointed out that ships in the area should now keep a safe distance of 7 nautical miles, (just under 13 km), instead of the previously required 5 nautical miles.

‘Most wasteful’

The total amount of methane leaking from a pipeline system led by Gazprom is likely to be higher than a major leak that occurred in December from offshore oil and gas fields in Mexican waters in the Gulf of Mexico. spill about 100 tons of methane every hour, Caltagirone said.

According to a study conducted by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the Gulf of Mexico leak, also visible from space, ended up releasing about 40,000 tons of gas. methane for 17 days.

Improved satellite technology has rapidly enhanced scientists’ ability to find and analyze greenhouse gas emissions in recent years, which some governments hope will help. companies detect and prevent methane emissions.

The sudden massive leaks in the Nord Stream gas pipeline running from Russia to Europe have generated many theories but few clear answers as to who or what caused the damage.

Both Russia and the European Union consider the rift to be caused by vandals.

Europe and the United States have imposed sanctions on Moscow in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, raising fears that the Kremlin will seek to deprive Europe of vital energy supplies this summer. bronze.

Regardless of the cause, damage to the pipeline posed a problem beyond energy security, Caltagirone said.

“This is the most wasteful way to generate emissions,” he said.

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