Summary
High-resolution methane plume mapping is transforming how operators understand and respond to emissions. By visualizing methane gas—down to plume direction, size, and source—operators gain deeper insight into leak severity and root causes.
This clarity supports better repair planning, fewer repeat visits, and more informed operational decisions. As part of a broader aerial methane detection strategy, high-resolution plume data helps upstream, midstream, LNG, and distribution teams replace uncertainty with clear, measurement-based data that more efficiently enables quick action.
Key Takeaways
- High-resolution methane plume imagery shows the plume’s shape, direction, source, and concentration
- Plume mapping reveals the equipment-level source of a leak (even in dense or complex facilities)
- Visual data helps crews plan repairs with greater accuracy and fewer on-site delays
- High-resolution visuals provide clear documentation and reduce troubleshooting time
- Plume maps strengthen compliance reporting and internal methane tracking
Why Does High-Resolution Methane Plume Mapping Matter?
Methane detection data tells you that an emission exists. High-resolution plume mapping tells you what kind of issue you’re dealing with and how urgently it needs your attention.
Leak severity, persistence, and operational impact vary widely. In fact, two leaks can emit methane at the same rate but pose very different risks depending on:
- How quickly methane is dispersing
- Whether the gas is pooling or not
- Whether the emission is steady or intermittent
- Where the actual source point lies
- The proximity to high consequence areas
High-resolution methane plume mapping paired with up-to-date aerial imagery of the site for additional context gives operators the complete picture they need to distinguish between these scenarios immediately.
What Exactly Does High-Resolution Methane Plume Mapping Reveal?
Gas Mapping LiDAR® (GML) provides high-resolution gas plume imagery that is georeferenced, source-attributed, and field ready. The clear visual maps tell an immediate story about the leak, helping operators make confident decisions quickly.
Specifically, the maps reveal:
1. Leak Source Location
Clear plume imagery paired with Bridger’s advanced post-processing techniques identify the equipment causing the leak. Crews can narrow their search to specific equipment such as:
- Thief hatches
- Compressor exhaust
- Separators
- Unlit flares
- Pipeline risers or connections
By reducing search time and going straight to the source, teams can focus on repair work rather than tracking down leaks, and improving overall repair speed and efficiency.
2. Leak Size and Spatial Impact
Plume size, shape, and dispersion provide valuable clues about leak behavior. Bridger’s processing and analytics use this information to calculate the emission rate of the leak, and the plume imagery paired with the high-resolution aerial photography enables a visual understanding of:
- The extent of the plume
- Whether the plume is localized or widespread
- If methane is pooling or being dispersed by wind
- How wind is carrying emissions across a site
- Whether the issue is likely tied to a single piece of equipment or more than one source
This allows operators to plan repairs with realistic expectations of time, labor, and equipment needed.
How Does High-Resolution Plume Imagery Improve Field Efficiency?
High-resolution plume mapping has direct operational benefits, including:
Faster Troubleshooting: Crews know exactly where to go, what equipment to inspect, and what the plume indicates about the leak’s nature.
Better Repair Planning: Operators can anticipate the parts needed, required tools, the number of technicians the crew needs, and whether elevated equipment or access gear is necessary.
Fewer Repeat Visits: With clear imagery, teams address the correct equipment source on the first visit and verify more confidently afterward.
Superior Insight in Complex or Hard-to-Reach Areas
Plume mapping becomes even more valuable when operators face:
- Crowded tank batteries
- Multiple wellheads in close proximity
- Facilities with high equipment density
- Multi-level or elevated infrastructure
- Remote sites requiring long drive times
- Sites with restricted or hazardous access
- Dense midstream or LNG facilities
In these environments, the aerial vantage point of GML reveals equipment-level emissions sources that would be difficult to identify from the ground.
Improved Documentation for ESG and Regulatory Alignment
Plume visuals create a transparent, traceable record of emissions activity, supporting:
- Corrective action logs
- Before-and-after repair verification
- Reporting on progress toward ESG goals
- OGMP 2.0-aligned documentation
With visual evidence, ESG and regulatory reporting becomes clearer, and audit conversations become simpler.
Seeing Methane Clearly to Act Faster
High-resolution methane plume mapping turns methane data into visibility, showing exactly where emissions originate and how they behave across a site. With this clarity, operators can prioritize the right repairs, reduce repeat visits, and drive safer, more efficient operations..
Ready to see how high-resolution plume insights transform your LDAR program? Visit www.bridgerphotonics.com for more.
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