Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-377
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-377
05 Mar 2025
 | 05 Mar 2025

Isotopic signatures of methane emission from oil and natural gas plants in southwestern China

Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu

Abstract. Methane (CH4) emissions to atmosphere from Chinese oil and gas (ONG) sector are subject to considerable uncertainty. The isotopic composition of CH4 isotopes (δ13C) varies between emission sources, enabling the identification of changes in specific CH4 sources. However, there are few relevant studies in China, especially at the ONG site level. We obtained CH4 mixing ratios and isotopes from atmospheric samples collected by UAV and ground monitoring, and employed the HYSPLIT model to investigate CH4 distribution at ONG sites in southwest China. It was found that the CH4 isotopic signatures provide a strong basis for the emission intensity at the ONG sites. The meteorological and site conditions were identified as the most influential factors in CH4 distribution at sites. The CH4 from the equipment area contributed approximately a quarter of the CH4 observed over the sites. The CH4 source isotopic signatures (δ13C) of this study were heavier than those globally, indicating that they were mainly thermogenic sources. Finally, the heavier δ13C of this region may lead to an overestimation emission of global CH4 from fossil fuel sources by 3.47 Tg CH4 yr-1, and underestimation from microbial sources. This study highlights the importance of regional CH4 isotopes, with great significance for CH4 inventories of global sectors.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Sep 2025
Isotopic signatures of methane emission from oil and natural gas plants in southwestern China
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11407–11422, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11407-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11407-2025, 2025
Short summary
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #3, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC3', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-377', Anonymous Referee #3, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC3', Longfei Yu, 14 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Longfei Yu on behalf of the Authors (12 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (19 Jun 2025) by Eliza Harris
AR by Longfei Yu on behalf of the Authors (21 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (24 Jun 2025) by Eliza Harris
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (11 Jul 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (15 Jul 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (16 Jul 2025) by Eliza Harris
AR by Longfei Yu on behalf of the Authors (21 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (29 Jul 2025) by Eliza Harris
AR by Longfei Yu on behalf of the Authors (01 Aug 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Sep 2025
Isotopic signatures of methane emission from oil and natural gas plants in southwestern China
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11407–11422, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11407-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11407-2025, 2025
Short summary
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
We carried out studies at 11 oil and gas sites in Southwest China (an important natural gas production area), investigating the methane concentration distribution pattern and emission inventory of oil and gas industrial sites through a combination of ground monitoring and drone airborne monitoring techniques, and at the same time, utilizing stable isotope techniques to trace back the methane from the oil and gas sites.
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