HEI Energy Releases Its First Set of Research Reports

The inaugural set of studies focused on potential exposures to air emissions, water quality changes, and noise from oil and gas operations in the US.
Learn More

You are here

Home > Announcements

HEI publishes new report investigating air opollution and noise near unconventional oil and gas development in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado

2025
HEI has published a new report, Assessing Source Contributions to Air Quality and Noise in Unconventional Oil Shale Plays, led by Dr. Meredith Franklin at the University of Toronto. Franklin and colleagues carried out an extensive, year-long monitoring initiative focused on air quality and noise in a major US oil and gas production region. Their study quantified ambient concentrations of hazardous and criteria air pollutants, greenhouse gases, radioactivity, and noise in both the Permian Basin (New Mexico) and the Eagle Ford region (Texas). Using statistical modeling, they identified the most probable oil and gas sources contributing to the chemical signatures observed in ambient air. To our knowledge, this study represents the most detailed and extensive air quality investigation undertaken to date in New Mexico.

Key Findings from the report include: 
  • Concentrations of most of the air pollutants and noise varied during the day and between seasons, with frequent occurrences of high concentrations (spikes).
  • The investigators were able to identify and quantify specific sources of emissions contributing to environmental pollutant data.
  • The study showed that UOGD, along with older oil and gas operations, are the dominant source of air pollution in the study area.

Learn More