Utilizing IoT in a Methane Gas Monitoring System
After CO2, many are surprised to learn that methane (CH4) is the largest contributor to global warming. Its unique qualities, such as high heat-trapping potential and relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere, mean that cutting methane emissions can have an outsized impact on the trajectory of the world's climate in the short-term. One of the largest sources of methane emissions in the US actually comes in the form of leaks originating from oil and gas operations. In 2020, it was estimated that there were 630,000 leaks in US natural gas distribution mains (that’s 30% of all methane emissions in the US).
For the first time, the US is taking steps to address the eyebrow-raising amount of methane released into the atmosphere via leakage. The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it intends to limit the methane coming from roughly one million existing oil and gas rigs across the United States. At the center of its proposal are requirements for oil and gas operators to aggressively detect and repair methane leaks. Specifically, the proposal will require companies to:
Ban the venting of methane produced as a byproduct of crude oil into the atmosphere
Require upgrades to equipment such as storage tanks, compressors, and pneumatic pumps
Monitor 300,000 of their biggest well sites every three months
It’s more vital than ever for oil and gas companies to implement a methane gas monitoring system, if you haven’t done so already. And, even if you have, there are still many opportunities to improve upon your current data collection processes and equipment used. Below, we explore the benefits of utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) in a monitoring system, allowing you to manage sensors distributed over remote areas, retain and centralize data, and target infrastructure and pipeline repairs.
IoT in a Methane Gas Monitoring System
There is no one-size-fits-all methodology for methane gas monitoring. In Colorado, the first state to regulate methane from the oil and gas industry, companies have been incentivized to innovate on this front since 2014. In the past, operators have used super-cooled cameras to film equipment (also known as optical gas imaging, OGI), flown drones over oil and gas sites to detect leaks in the area, and even employed long-range lasers in the hunt for methane leaks. IoT is simply another example of innovation, one that has a lot of benefits for both companies and regulators. An IoT methane gas monitoring system can act as an alternative to the aforementioned methods on its own, but it can also act effectively in conjunction with these monitoring solutions, as well.
Data Collection
Many methods for collecting data on methane leakage require personnel to be present at the site and/or actively carrying out measurement procedures. For example, aerial surveillance using drones, planes, and satellites is used to scan for leaks, methods that require time and financial investment, and are most helpful in detecting emissions from large point sources. When used on their own, issues translating atmospheric data into actionable intelligence to see what’s happening on the ground may arise, as well. For that reason, it’s smart to employ multiple methods for leak detection in tandem with one another, and an IoT-based platform is equipped to interface with your current leak detection and repair (LDAR) methodologies.
IoT sensors are installed on-site, and can include a mix of fixed point methane sensor transmitters and open path (laser-based) methane detectors. Together, they remotely monitor methane emissions and send this data back to a central management console at regular intervals to be analyzed. Being more passive, this form of data collection eliminates the risk of human error in the process. OGI, for instance, requires highly experienced surveyors who are very familiar with the equipment to get the most accurate readings. Remote IoT sensors do not face this challenge and can be a great asset in compiling a reliable database.
Documentation of data related to leak detection also remains free of the risk of simple human error. In an IoT system, information is transmitted to the cloud via a cellular control system, and retained in a single, digital location without the need for anyone to physically visit a site or manually record data. IoT sensors could also monitor other environmental conditions such as wind speed and direction, data that will be vital from a public safety standpoint.
Data Retention and Centralization
As guidance and regulations continue to evolve regarding LDAR procedures, your ability to retain and save data in its raw, unmodified form will become increasingly important. With the implementation of robust IoT cloud infrastructure, data from many disparate sources can be unified into a central database. When you’re able to eliminate data fragmentation, standardize data collection, and sustainably generate readings over time, the rate of accurate leak detection increases, more strategic decisions can be made about where and when to make repairs, and your company’s overall progress can be tracked (whether it be for regulatory reasons or internal reasons). Overall, maintaining a database will make compliance much easier for your company in the long run.
Targeting Repairs
When methane leaks are detected on site, regulators will outline procedures necessary to fix them. This could require equipment to be shut down and operations to pause, so it’s extremely important that leaks were correctly detected and reported initially. The benefit of an IoT-based methane gas monitoring system is that it decreases the number of human touchpoints, meaning data can be easily tracked from collection to transmission to analysis, and operators can have a higher level of confidence in the identification of leaks and targeting of repairs.
Retaining a database of methane leakage data also allows operators to better understand where leaks typically occur and which components present the largest risk. Tanks, for example, have been known to be a common culprit for leaks, and they may need to be subjected to increased monitoring. This knowledge can only be ascertained with detailed recordkeeping conducted over time, something difficult to accomplish with more traditional methods of LDAR. Of course, in the immediate period following repairs, a methane gas monitoring system is still critical to ensure a leak hasn’t redeveloped. So, at every stage of LDAR, you’ll reap the benefits of implementing an IoT solution.
EDG Has the Tools & Technology to Reduce Methane Gas Leaks
It’s important to invest the time, energy, and resources into LDAR procedures to ensure you’re doing it right the first time and complying with regulations. If the oil and gas industry in the US can successfully eliminate fugitive methane emissions, it will go a long way towards combating the effects of climate change globally in the short term. (After all, North America is responsible for 25% of all methane emissions in the world.)
To create the most reliable, accurate and user-friendly methane gas monitoring system, EDG has developed a complete, end-to-end IoT solution. From the hardware to the cloud infrastructure to the software you use to manage it all, EDG’s technologies put data at your fingertips. If you’re interested in learning more, would like to speak to an expert, or are ready to utilize remote sensors in your monitoring process, contact EDG today! We’d love to hear from you.