When it comes to climate change, not all emissions are created equal. While carbon dioxide (CO₂) often dominates the conversation, a class of pollutants known as super-pollutants — especially methane — are responsible for nearly half of the warming we’ve experienced to date. Methane alone accounts for approximately 0.5°C of global temperature rise. 

But there is good news. Because methane is a short-lived climate pollutant, cutting it now can deliver near-term climate benefits within the next 10–20 years.  

That’s why we’re laser-focused on methane.

What Are Super-Polluters? 

Super-polluters are sources that emit disproportionately high levels of methane, which are sometimes hundreds of kilograms per hour. These emissions are not just a climate issue; they also pose risks to public health, safety, and local ecosystems.  

One of the most overlooked sources of super-pollutant emissions is orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells. These wells, often left behind by defunct operators, can leak methane for decades if not properly plugged. With no responsible party to maintain or monitor them, they become invisible threats — and in many cases, super-emitters. 

Not All Wells Are Equal: From Micro to Super Emitters 

Methane emissions from orphaned wells vary widely. Some wells emit only trace amounts — micro-emitters — while others release hundreds of scf/hr, and in rare cases but increasingly common occurrences, may even approach or exceed the 3,750 scf/hr, well above the threshold used by the EPA to define a super-emitter. This presents an open opportunity for the academic community to study the true impact of orphan oil wells, which Rebellion argues is much larger than previously thought, based on our field research identifying leaks across over 3000 wells.  

This variability presents a challenge — and an opportunity. Many of the highest-emitting wells are undocumented and unmonitored, meaning their climate impact is both underestimated and unaddressed. Rebellion’s fieldwork has shown that you don’t know if or what a well is emitting until you’re onsite.

Our Work: Turning Data into Action 

Rebellion is at the forefront of tackling this challenge. Our projects are designed to identify, plug, and monitor orphaned wells in the U.S., right here in America’s Heartland – Oklahoma.  

We use a science-based, conservative approach, including a post-issuance application of our Certainty in Forecasting Policy, to ensure that every credit we generate reflects real, measurable, and permanent climate impact. 

Corporate Demand Is Rising 

Companies like Salesforce and Google (And now, in 2026, the Beyond Alliance) are already integrating super-pollutant credits into their climate portfolios. In a 2025 panel at New York Climate Week, Salesforce’s Chief Impact Officer emphasized the importance of investing in projects with high additionality and third-party verification, first and foremost, super-pollutant abatement projects.  

Why This Matters Now 

The climate clock is ticking. As policymakers, scientists, and corporate leaders increasingly recognize, cutting methane is the fastest way to slow warming in the next two decades. And with tools like satellite detection, machine learning, and robust MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification), we can now find and fix the worst offenders, and we can do it fast.  

At Rebellion, we’re not just plugging wells. We’re plugging a critical gap in the climate response across the full spectrum of emitters. 

Join Us 

Whether you’re a buyer looking to build a high-impact portfolio, a policymaker shaping methane standards, or a partner ready to scale solutions — we invite you to connect. Together, we can turn super-polluters into super-opportunities. 

To discuss and learn more about Rebellion’s spectrum of project offerings, please contact us at lharrington@rebellionenergy.com.  

References 

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PSE Healthy Energy, 2021. Potential Opportunities and Risks of Orphaned Wells. [online] Available at: https://www.psehealthyenergy.org/work/potential-opportunities-and-risks-of-orphaned-wells/ [Accessed 6 Oct. 2025]. 

Sylvera, 2023. How Salesforce adopted an end-to-end approach to source high-quality carbon projects with real climate impact. [online] Available at: https://www.sylvera.com/blog/how-salesforce-adopted-an-end-to-end-approach-to-source-high-quality-carbon-projects-with-real-climate-impact [Accessed 6 Oct. 2025]. 

Zhang, Y., et al., 2023. Methane’s dual role in climate change: urgent mitigation needed. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. [online] Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-023-30601-w [Accessed 6 Oct. 2025]. 

Xu, Y., Zaelke, D., Velders, G.J.M. and Ramanathan, V., 2013. The role of HFCs in mitigating 21st century climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3(5), pp. 436–442. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1790