Fei Li, Shengxi Bai, Keer Lin, Chenxi Feng, Shiwei Sun, Shaohua Zhao, Zhongting Wang, Wei Zhou, Chunyan Zhou, Yongguang Zhang 

Utilizing imaging spectroscopy technology to identify methane super-emitters plays a vital role in mitigating methane emissions in the Oil & Gas (O&G) sector. While earlier research has uncovered significant point-source methane emissions from O&G production in the US and Canada, which are key regions with large methane emissions, a comprehensive post-COVID-19 survey has been notably absent. Here, we perform a detailed survey of methane super-emitters across multiple basins of North America (Marcellus Shale US, Haynesville/Bossier Shale US, Permian Delaware Tight US and Montney Play Canada) using the new Chinese Gaofen5-01A/02 (GF5-01A/02) satellite measurements during 2022-2023. We detect 48 extreme methane point-source emissions with flux rates of 646 to 16071 kg h−1. These emissions exhibit a highly skewed and heavy-tailed distribution, constituting approximately 30% of the total flux in sample region, with a range of 13% to 63%. Moreover, we observe a 66.7% reduction in methane emissions in Permian Delaware Tight region during COVID-19, followed by fluctuations until spring 2022. By summer 2023, methane emissions rebound to previous magnitude (0.66 ± 0.20 Tg a−1). Using these point-source surveys, we further quantify a regional methane emission of 1.08±0.02 Tg a-1 in Delaware subbasin. This estimation closely aligns with top-down inversions (0.86±0.03 Tg a-1) from TROPOMI. The upscale estimation underscores the effectiveness of high-resolution remote sensing measurements in improving bottom-up emissions inventories and refining regional methane emission assessments. Our results highlight the potential climate benefits derived from regular monitoring and specific remediation efforts focused on relatively few strong point-source emissions.