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 what a well is emitting until you’re onsite — which is why our methodology is designed to be conservative, data-driven, and responsive to real-world conditions.

Our Work: Turning Data into Action

Rebellion is proud to be 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. That’s why we work with ACR and adhere to their rigorous methodology.

Heartland 3: A Milestone in Climate Integrity

We’re excited to share that our Heartland 3 project recently received issuance from ACR, marking a major milestone in our mission to scale high-integrity methane abatement. This project reflects our commitment to:

• Ex-ante crediting — credits are only issued after wells are verified to be non-leaking.
• High-quality ratings — our credits are designed to meet the expectations of leading buyers who demand additionality, permanence, and transparency in carbon accounting.
• Portfolio alignment — our super-pollutant credits complement long-term carbon removal and nature-based solutions, offering a near-term climate hedge.

Corporate Demand Is Rising

Companies like Salesforce and Google are already integrating super-pollutant credits into their climate portfolios. In a recent 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 — 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 crobertson@rebellionenergy.com

References

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