Mapping the Invisible Threat: Emissions from Oil and Gas

How Satellite Technology is Shedding Light on Air Pollution.

Introduction: Unearthing the Invisible Threats

Pennsylvania’s landscapes are a complex mix of natural beauty and industrial infrastructure. From dense forests to sprawling farmlands, this state has long been a battleground for energy development, particularly in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors. While these industries have fueled the economy, they have also left behind a legacy of pollution that threatens communities, ecosystems, and public health.

What’s most alarming is that much of this pollution is hidden—leaking from abandoned wells, seeping from pipelines, and wafting invisibly into the air. Traditional monitoring methods can’t keep up, leaving residents in the dark about what’s really in the air they breathe. But now, new technologies and mapping tools are stepping in to reveal the full scope of the problem.

The Urgency: Why Mapping Emissions Matters

In Pennsylvania, the unchecked release of emissions and other harmful pollutants poses a serious threat to both the environment and public health. For communities living near oil and gas infrastructure, this invisible pollutant represents more than just a climate concern; it’s a daily hazard associated with asthma, respiratory issues, and even cancer.

For years, the state’s energy development has been shrouded in a lack of transparency, with companies consistently underreporting emissions and regulators struggling to enforce accountability. This initiative seeks to change that narrative by empowering those most affected with actionable data.

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Seeing the Unseen: Monitoring Pollution from Space

Traditional environmental monitoring tools—like ground sensors and air quality reports—have their limitations. They struggle to cover vast areas and often miss emissions that are sporadic or occur in remote locations. That’s where satellite technology comes in.

The European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5 satellite, equipped with the advanced TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), offers a bird’s-eye view of emissions across large regions.

How Does It Work?

But how exactly does this high-tech system operate? The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Sentinel-5 satellite is a marvel of modern science. It works by comparing two samples of light: one taken directly from the sun and another that has passed through Earth’s atmosphere. The difference in light energy at specific wavelengths reveals the concentration of various pollutants in the atmosphere.

This satellite data is then used to track and map these pollutants across vast areas, like an entire state. By layering this pollution map withthe locations of oil and gas infrastructure—such as wells, pipelines, and processing plants—we can precisely pinpoint where the pollution originates and how closely it’s tied to industrial activities. This powerful combination of satellite imagery and GIS data offers an unprecedented view into the environmental impact of industrial operations, making it easier to target and mitigate harmful emissions.

Mapping Hotspots: Linking Pollution to the Source

The aim is to identify emission hotspots—areas where pollution levels consistently spike. These hotspots often correspond to specific sources like power plants, aging pipelines, fracking sites, or poorly maintained wells. This isn’t just about drawing maps; it’s about uncovering patterns that have gone unnoticed and investigating areas of high emission concentrations with the use of remote sensing and geostatistical methods.

The mapping doesn’t stop at the surface. Pennsylvania’s underground hydrocarbon reservoirs are potential sources of leaks that can be hard to detect. By mapping these reservoirs against emission data, we explore how deep-seated infrastructure contributes to above-ground pollution, providing insights for more targeted monitoring and mitigation.

Methane

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential more than 25 times that of carbon dioxide over a century. Despite its significant impact, methane often flies under the radar because it’s invisible and can be released in intermittent bursts. However, its effects on our climate are anything but invisible.

The hot spot analysis of Methane (Left) discovered areas of highest concentration (Red) and lowest concentration (Blue). The map on the right highlights the oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

One of the most concerning regions for methane emissions is the Southeast Pennsylvania and/or the Ohio River Valley, a hub for oil and gas activities. An interpolation of the oil and gas well's concentration of Methane has revealed specific areas of concern within this region including the counties of Greene, Blair and Huntingdon.

Additionally, while the highest concentration were focused in the Southeast, the interpolation of the Methane concentration data detected what appears to be a plume north of Harrisburg.

Furthermore, In the hotspot analysis, areas identified within the 99% confidence—meaning the top of locations with the highest methane emissions—are predominantly located near a series of petroleum product terminals and in close proximity to power plants, specifically Armstrong, Keystone, and the Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station. This suggests a strong geographic correlation between these high-emission areas and the industrial activities associated with these facilities.

Further assessment of the underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs revealed significant correlations with specific locations:

  • Oakford: The most significant contributor, responsible for 43.3% of the region's highest emitting methane sources. Oakford’s extensive storage wells and aforementioned industrial infrastructure make it a primary source of these emissions.
  • Roaring Run: Accounting for 27.9% of the highest emitting emission sources, this area is closely tied to active oil and gas fields, highlighting it as a critical site for ongoing methane monitoring.

The data indicates that the highest concentrations of methane emissions are strongly linked to areas near critical infrastructure, such as petroleum terminals and power plants, as well as key hydrocarbon reservoirs. This correlation underscores the need for targeted monitoring and mitigation efforts in these specific regions to address the environmental impact effectively.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that poses a serious threat to both human health and the environment. While it’s most commonly associated with vehicle exhaust, CO is also a significant byproduct of industrial activities, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

A substantial portion of carbon monoxide emissions seemingly correlates to the abundant underground storage wells, where leaks and venting are reported to be commonplace in aging infrastructure. Moreover, areas in close proximity to power plants, petroleum product terminals, and refineries are also hotspots in the Ohio River Valley for carbon monoxide emissions. These industrial sites, with their complex infrastructure, may experience equipment failures and leaks that lead to the release of CO into the environment.

One of the most concerning regions for CO emissions is Western Pennsylvania, but hotspots of CO was also identified nearby Erie and Ohio River Valley in the southeast. Within these regions, specific areas have been identified as potential sources of carbon monoxide emissions such as the storage wells, a biodiesel plant and the Lakeside Gas Recovery power plant.

Further assessment of the underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs revealed significant correlations with specific locations. The Oakford and Roaring Run reservoirs consist of 43% and 27% of the highest emitting sources respectively.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a hazardous air pollutant with significant health risks, including respiratory issues and cancer.

In Southeast Pennsylvania, Butler, and Erie, specific reservoirs have been identified as significant sources of HCHO emissions. The Steckman Ridge Depleted Gas Field, part of the Oriskany Reservoir, seemingly geographically correlated to high levels of formaldehyde emissions.

In fact, the areas of Butler, Bedford and Erie counties, which are not proximal to power plants and refineries, it appears that HCHO emissions may be attributed to the abundant natural gas underground storage nearby.

Further assessment of the underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs revealed significant correlations with specific locations similar to Methane and Carbon Monoxide. HCHO was statistically and geographically correlated to the Oakford and Roaring Run depleted oil and gas fields at rates of 42% and 27% respectively.

Addressing HCHO emissions in these hotspots is crucial to improving air quality and protecting public health. Targeted interventions at these natural gas storage sites, combined with advanced monitoring, can help reduce the release of this dangerous pollutant.

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a harmful gas that contributes to air pollution and respiratory problems. A significant portion of SO2 emissions originates from industrial sources such as the Armstrong or Keystone power plants or natural gas underground storage, where leaks and venting frequently occur. These emissions are particularly concerning in Southeast Pennsylvania, a region identified as a significant emitter of SO2.

Additionally, abnormal SO2 plumes have been detected over North-Central Pennsylvania, indicating unexpected and elevated levels of emissions.

Further assessment of the underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs revealed significant correlations with specific locations unlike Methane or Carbon Monoxide. SO2 was statistically correlated to the Forward and Pratt depleted oil and gas fields at rates of 21% and 17% respectively.

Addressing these hotspots is essential for reducing SO2 pollution and protecting air quality in the affected regions.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a significant air pollutant that poses serious health risks, including respiratory issues and the potential to aggravate conditions like asthma. This gas is primarily produced from the burning of fossil fuels, making it a common byproduct of vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and energy production. As a result, NO₂ concentrations are typically higher in urban areas, where these activities are most concentrated.

Urban hotspots for NO₂ emissions are expected due to the high density of traffic, industrial plants, and power generation facilities. However, an unexpected pattern of elevated NO₂ emissions east of State College, Pennsylvania was found in the interpolation of the spatially joined concentration data. This region, not typically associated with the industrial or urban activities that usually drive high NO₂ levels, has shown anomalous spikes in emissions. The presence of these elevated levels in a more rural or less industrialized area raises questions about the underlying causes.

Further analysis is needed to determine the source of these unexpected NO₂ emissions. Areas of low population density such as Greene and Washington appear to indicate a relation between natural gas storage wells, and leakage in this region. Potential factors could include localized natural gas trading hub, industrial activities, increased traffic in specific corridors, or other environmental factors that may contribute to higher-than-expected NO₂ levels.

Aerosol

Aerosols, tiny particles or droplets suspended in the atmosphere, play a significant role in air quality and climate change. These particles can originate from natural sources, like dust or sea spray, but a large portion comes from human activities, particularly in the oil and gas industry.

A significant share of aerosol emissions comes from storage wells, particularly those located near depleted fields south of Altoona. These wells, which are often associated with aging infrastructure, are prone to leaks and venting that release aerosols into the atmosphere. The correlation between well sites and aerosol emissions in these areas are especially concerning due to their potential impact on air quality and the broader environment.

In North-Central Pennsylvania, unique emission patterns of aerosols have been observed, highlighting the region as a critical area for monitoring.

Further assessment of the underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs revealed significant correlations with specific locations. Aerosol seemingly differed from other emissions, and was statistically correlated to the Roaring Run depleted oil and gas fields at rates of 50%.

This region is characterized by its hydrocarbon reservoirs, particularly the Devonian Sands, which account for 84.4% of the sources of high concentrations of aerosol emissions. Unlike other emissions, The 'Big Lime' Interval contributed significantly, responsible for 15.4% of the region’s highest emitting sources.

Recommendations for Emission Reduction Strategies Targeting High-Contributing Wells

This Map illustrates oil & gas wells with the highest concentration of emissions of Formaldehyde (Red), Sulfur Dioxide (Blue), Methane (Yellow), Nitrogen Dioxide (Pink), Carbon Monoxide (Orange) and Aerosol (Green).

1. Assessment of Depleted Oil & Gas Fields

Based on the analysis of emission concentration, the primary recommendation is to focus on Oakford and Roaring Run for comprehensive emission reduction strategies, given their high contributions across multiple pollutants. 

Recommendations for Emission Reduction Strategies Targeting High-Contributing Fields

This map demonstrates the oil & gas wells with the highest reported concentration of the various emission types (Blue).

2. Specific Strategies for SO₂

Develop tailored strategies for Forward and Pratt to address their significant SO₂ emissions. This could involve process changes or pollution control technologies specific to SO₂ emissions.

3. Aerosol Control

Given Roaring Run's dominant contribution to aerosol emissions, specific measures should be implemented to reduce particulate matter emissions at this site.

Environmental Justice: Who Bears the Burden?

The benefits of Pennsylvania’s energy development have been reaped by a few, while the costs have been borne by communities on the frontlines of pollution. This project seeks to correct that imbalance by mapping the intersection of pollutants and the oil & gas infrastructure that is associated with their release.

The findings are clear: the communities most affected by these emissions are also those with the fewest resources to fight back. They suffer from higher rates of respiratory illness, face greater exposure to toxic air, and have limited access to clean alternatives. By making this data visible, we aim to arm these communities with the information they need to demand change and to shift the narrative toward cleaner, more just energy solutions.

Challenges and Opportunities

Of course, no monitoring system is perfect. Satellite data comes with limitations—such as resolution constraints and interference from weather—that can affect its accuracy. But by cross-referencing this data with on-the-ground measurements and constantly refining our models, we’re able to create a reliable and actionable picture of emissions across Pennsylvania.

The real challenge, though, is not just technical. It’s political. Addressing these emissions requires confronting powerful industries and demanding stronger regulations. This project aims to build momentum for that change, equipping advocates, policymakers, and everyday residents with the data they need to push for better protections.

Conclusion: The Power of Mapping for a Just Future

This research isn’t just about understanding where emissions are today; it’s about reimagining what Pennsylvania’s energy future could look like. By combining satellite technology with geospatial analysis and a commitment to environmental health, we’re laying the groundwork for a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable energy landscape.

In the end, mapping emissions isn’t just about data—it’s about accountability, transparency, and the power to change. With the right tools, we can expose the hidden costs of fossil fuel development and work toward a future where energy production doesn’t come at the cost of our health or our planet.

FracTracker Alliance - 2024 Environmental Health Fellowship

Dylan Gordon

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