Phasing Out Fugitive Methane Once and For All: Monitoring is Reduction

High-frequency monitoring is the key to tackling a quarter of human-caused methane emissions. Estimated at 70% higher than official figures, oil and gas methane emissions are costing the global energy sector up to an estimated $60 billion a year in revenue — and this is before factoring in the growing regulatory price tag in the US, EU, Japan and some developing countries.

In the U.S. alone, every 40 hours, 3 times a week, there’s a major pipeline gas leak reported. Countless others go undetected. Studies estimate every 1.2 to 3.8 miles of pipeline, there’s a leak. And this is a conservative estimate. Less than 10% of gathering and transmission pipelines in the US are even inspected for leaks.

Meanwhile, undetected unlit natural gas flares account for up to 10% of total US oil and gas methane emissions.

The solution is high-frequency monitoring.

Research indicates that more frequent inspections of oil and gas facilities result in greater methane emissions reductions:

Monitoring is reduction:

• Annual inspection = 40% reduction
• Quarterly inspection = 60% reduction
• Monthly inspection = 80% reduction

A 60%-80% reduction at any given facility results in recovered gas value savings, drastically decreased exposure to regulatory fines (such as the new methane tax in the US), increased carbon credit opportunities, and demonstrates a strong commitment to phasing out methane emissions and lowering the methane intensity of their operations.

Addressing these leaks requires large-scale monitoring solutions that produce the precise data that can be harnessed in near-real time to identify, measure and stop fugitive methane.

In the 30 years since the world began negotiating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, international bodies, national governments and, importantly, the energy sector haven’t had the tools to identify exactly where, when and at what rate all that pollution is coming from.

Inspection teams, aerial imaging and drones are costly and limited by logistical obstacles.

Advanced satellite imagery has changed the game. With machine learning, multi-satellite imagery can be harnessed to detect and measure GHG emissions (e.g., methane) anywhere, anytime without investing in costly hardware solutions or ground teams.

The methane plumes and point sources autonomously detected by Momentick in multi-satellite imagery at high frequency present a golden opportunity for regulators, energy sector natural gas producers and contractors to regularly monitor assets anywhere, at any time.

It’s the fastest, most cost-effective way to fight global warming, harness regulatory opportunities and stop revenues from evaporating into the air.

Methane emissions autonomously detected & monitored by Momentick’s algorithms in multi-satellite imagery