Analyzing Greenhouse Gases Emissions, Climate Change Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies from Outer Continental Shelf Activities

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) collaborated with the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to research greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The study had two objectives: (1) to identify harm caused by GHG emissions and climate change to the coastal and marine environments, and (2) to evaluate GHG emissions from oil and gas operations on the OCS to identify pathways to reduce these emissions. Task 1, through literature review and an expert panel, summarized harms caused by GHG emissions and subsequent climate change on the U.S. coastal and marine environments, including effects of sea level rise on shoreline degradation and erosion, damages caused by increased severe weather effects, ocean acidification effects, effects on the health of the environment, impacts on the formation of hypoxic zones, effects on marine life and fisheries, and damages to historically significant heritage sites. Task 1 also provides recommendations for BOEM to consider in the near-, mid- and long-term to slow the effects of GHG on the coastal and/or marine environments. Task 1 was published as BOEM 2023- 009. Task 2 used BOEM’s GHG emissions data and conducted a literature review to categorize the current contributors to GHG emissions and project them through 2050. The study considered GHG emission projection scenarios and emission reduction opportunities to estimate how GHG emissions could be reduced, including an assessment technological advancements and their respective costs. Findings were then benchmarked against 2030 and 2050 emission reduction goals of reducing direct emissions by 50% and achieving net zero, respectively. The second task provided several recommendations for achieving these goals.

USD: $400,000

2021-09-01 → 2026-09-01