March 26, 2026 - Results from the Appalachian Methane Initiative’s (AMI) 2025 Appalachian Basin methane monitoring program revealed for the second year in a row that the basin has the lowest methane emissions intensity of any major oil- and gas-producing basin in the US.

The AMI is a coalition of US natural gas companies working with independent monitoring providers, technical consultants, and universities. The 2025 report marks the second annual comprehensive study and represents a signi-cant expansion in geographic coverage, survey frequency, and measurement technologies.

The Appalachian Methane Initiative 2025 report on methane intensity in the Appalachian Basin significantly expanded its coverage from previous surveys.

Source: The University of Texas at Austin

The study was conducted with the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab (EEMDL) at The University of Texas at Austin and Colorado State University, with support from SLR International, and used nearly 17,000 unique surveyed sites measurements across approximately 31,800 sq miles of the Appalachian Basin. Surveys were conducted between March and October 2025 using Bridger Photonics, Insight M, and ChampionX technologies, covering nearly 6,600 oil and gas sites and approximately 140 other sites, including coal mines and land-lls.

“The Appalachian Methane Initiative is one of the world’s most comprehensive methane emissions measurement and mitigation campaign across oil and gas operations,” said Arvind Ravikumar, faculty member at The University of Texas at Austin and co-director of the EEMDL. “Unique to this initiative is the integration of multiscale measurements with operational investigation enabling e-ective, rapid, and observable emissions reduction.”

Together, AMI member operators—including CNX Resources, EQT Corporation, MPLX, and Seneca Resources, along with data-contributing operators Ascent Resources and Expand Energy Corporation—represent approximately 17.9 Bcf/D of natural gas production, accounting for more than 50% of the basin’s total production.

The 2025 study found a methane loss rate of 0.52% from the full natural gas supply chain, con-rming that the Appalachian Basin continues to have the lowest methane intensity of any major US oil and gas producing region. Independent satellite data from MethaneSAT during the same period aligns with these -ndings.

The study also found that conventional wells account for nearly two-thirds of oil and gas methane emissions in the basin, despite producing less than 2% of the region’s natural gas. Expanded 2025 measurements con-rmed this trend.

Coal mines and land-lls release signi-cantly more methane per site than oil and gas operations, according to the study. Roughly 80% of large methane plumes detected by satellite in the study area were linked to coal mining operations.

The study also revealed that a small number of large emission events account for a disproportionate share of methane releases.

Find the report here.