Gazprom PJSC released five clouds of super-warming methane gas last month while conducting repairs, highlighting the global warming impact of Russian natural gas European countries want to wean themselves off in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The plumes were identified in European Space Agency Sentinel-5P satellite data by Kayrros SAS. The geoanalytics firm said the data appeared to show a spike in emissions over Russia on March 15 and 18. At least eight other methane clouds were detected in the country over the period which Kayrros attributed to the oil and gas sector but Gazprom said weren’t near its facilities. Methane, which is the primary component of natural gas, traps 84 times more heat than carbon dioxide during its first 20 years in the atmosphere. Scientists say that curbing the kinds of intentional releases that Gazprom engaged in — known in the industry as venting — is some […]