A large amount of methane escapes into the atmosphere in Romania

A large amount of methane escapes into the atmosphere from natural gas distribution networks and storage facilities in Romania, which, as a greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to global warming. The non-profit Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recently detected excessive methane leaks with a special infrared camera. Methane is a major component of natural gas and is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. When power is released into the air, it contributes to warming the atmosphere. In 20 years, it will heat up to 80 times more than the same amount of carbon dioxide. Recently, invisible clouds of methane are coming from Romanian gas pipelines, rusty storage containers and even from a storage tank next to a playground. Such findings were noted in the short term by James Turrito, a member of the non-profit Clean Air Task Force (CATF) who is researching the area. "I felt like he was escaping from every well in Romania," says a non-profit employee who travels Europe with a special camera looking for leaks of dangerous gas. "The tanks were rusted. It was not possible to document all methane emissions. " An infrared camera captures gases across a range of wavelengths. Two technical experts who examined the images stated that the majority of the detected gases are probably methane. The oil and gas industries use the same technology to detect leaks in their operations. "The videos show hydrocarbon emissions, probably including methane," said Tim Doty, president of TCHD Consulting LLC, Texas, one of the experts who reviewed some of the footage. "It is certain that pipes, wellheads and vents are likely to emit significant amounts of methane, which directly contributes to climate change."