Select US natural gas companies form Appalachian Methane Initiative

A group of US natural gas operators launched the Appalachian Methane Initiative (AMI), a coalition that plans to enhance methane monitoring throughout the Appalachia basin and facilitate additional methane emissions reductions in the region.

AMI is focused on developing and implementing a pilot monitoring program in 2023 to cover select areas of interest within the major operating footprints of the basin, with the goal of working to develop and implement a full-basin monitoring plan in 2024.

Founding members include natural gas producers Chesapeake Energy Corp. and EQT Corp., as well as midstream service provider Equitrans Midstream Corp.

The coalition said its efforts include coordinated satellite and aerial surveys on a geographic-basis as opposed to an operator-specific basis, taking into account advanced methane monitoring and reporting frameworks and coordination to share best practices and collaborate on activities, monitoring results through publicly available reporting.