Environmental watchdog organization SkyTruth has released a groundbreaking report that identifies and ranks the world’s most polluting offshore oil and gas facilities. Using advanced satellite technology, researchers documented persistent oil slicks, greenhouse gas emissions, and methane flaring at offshore sites globally, revealing significant environmental damage.
The report, titled “Exposing the Environmental Costs of Offshore Oil: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Oil Slicks, and Flaring,” is the first public data on threats from offshore oil infrastructure, based on 16 months of monitoring using the Cerulean technology developed by SkyTruth.
Findings will be presented at the Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea, and aim to empower communities, regulators, and advocacy organizations to hold polluters accountable and ensure marine protection.
Key findings of the report include the identification of ten offshore sites with chronic oil pollution, floating facilities presenting higher risks, and geographic hotspots of pollution in West Africa and other regions. The report also highlights massive methane flaring and significant vessel emissions from offshore oil and gas facilities.
The research emphasizes the need for policymakers to address the pollution burden imposed by offshore fossil fuel development and stresses the importance of monitoring these operations to prevent environmental damage to marine ecosystems and communities.
SkyTruth’s Geospatial Engineer, Christian Thomas, emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the offshore oil industry as technology advances, revealing the growing environmental challenges posed by this sector.
The full report can be accessed on the SkyTruth website for further information.
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