LAUSR

Significance Large methane point sources exist across multiple source sectors (e.g., oil, gas, coal, livestock, waste). Lacking is a robust assessment of the relative contribution of strong methane point sources against total or regional budgets, which is needed for prioritizing mitigation. In this study, we flew airborne imaging spectrometers repeatedly over multiple basins in the United States to quantify large methane point sources across multiple sectors. We compared these point sources to satellite-based regional flux inversions and found that methane super-emitters consistently make up a sizable contribution to total the total flux in a basin. These results show that a significant climate benefit can be realized by specific isolation and remediation of relatively few sources.