You're not wrong, but you're not right either.

In 2015, the Department of Energy estimated that the CO2 footprint for production, processing, and pipeline transportation of natural gas averaged between 8 and 14 kgCO2-e per MMBTU of natural gas [1].

The average natural gas CO2 emissions (kgCO2/MMBTU) has been going down over time [2], and will be reduced even further in the next few years thanks to increasing fines [3] on one hand and financial incentives to reduce flaring and venting [4] on the other hand. A large percentage of these emissions are not due to accidental leaks, but are essentially intentional -- due to flaring, venting, and high-bleed controllers and actuators [2].

For an idea of how much emissions can be reduced, consider that the so-called certified gas has 90% lower CO2 footprint than the average today [5]. For example, the methane emissions for a natural gas utility in Oregon are 90% lower than EPA nationwide assumptions [6].

[1] https://greet.es.anl.gov/files/EERE-LCA-NG

[2] https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas...

[3] https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/530#...

[4] https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/methane-emission...

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/documents/us...

[5] https://www.cfindustries.com/newsroom/2023/bp-certified-natu...

[6] https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/environment/less-we-can