Methane leaks from oil and gas operations are a big problem for climate. Solutions are coming.

Over the 162 years since the world’s first commercial oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania, a vast network of oil and gas wells, pipelines, pumping stations, storage tanks, refineries, and distribution lines has been built. And this network — including the modern pieces — is riddled with leaks. That’s a big problem, because methane in the air absorbs heat from the sun, warming up our atmosphere.