How Bridger Photonics Makes Methane Leak Detection Simple for Natural Gas Transmission Operators
US oil and gas companies rely on roughly 3 million miles of pipeline to transport oil and natural gas from wellheads to end consumers. The abundance and relatively low cost of natural gas is driving demand and adoption, requiring a growing network of pipelines across the globe to deliver it to markets.
Companies operating in the midstream, or transmission sector are responsible for building and maintaining an integrated network of infrastructure and pipelines to facilitate movement of natural gas. From processing plants to liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, to city gates and industrial end users, transmission occurs through a vast network of high-pressure pipelines.
Challenges Facing the Midstream Sector
Reducing Emissions
Although super-emitters are in the hot seat in light of EPA’s new regulations, overall emissions reduction is still important. Super-emitters represent only a portion of the overall emission rate from facilities in every basin we’ve ever measured at Bridger Photonics, and the smaller and mid-sized emissions make up the bulk of total emissions. We also know that smaller and mid-sized emissions are the feedstock for eventual larger, super-emitter leaks. This means that midstream operators must reduce overall emissions, while at the same time managing for super-emitters.
Balancing the need for quick emissions reduction with the practical challenges of implementing changes is a major hurdle for midstream operators. Understanding the emissions profile of your midstream assets, and where your leaks are, how big they are, and how frequently they occur, is a foundational first step.
Super-Emitters and Regulations
Addressing emissions and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, including EPA’s OOOOb and Subpart W, present significant challenges for midstream operators, including the potential for costly fines if not properly managed. Given that smaller and mid-sized leaks can eventually grow into super-emitters, it’s crucial for operators to adopt a preventative approach for super-emitter management. Additionally, the need to accurately distinguish between emissions from one's own facility and neighboring sources only adds complexity to the task. By addressing leaks early on, operators can avoid the hefty consequences of super-emitter violations. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Ensuring compliance with evolving PHMSA regulations requires operators to continuously adapt and integrate advanced technologies while maintaining operational efficiency and safety standards. PHMSA's new rulemaking, expected in 2025, will focus on improving leak detection performance, increasing frequency of inspections in some cases, and enhancing data reporting and accuracy. The regulatory landscape for midstream operators has never been more complex than now.
Operational Efficiency
The vast expanse of pipelines and the dispersed nature of facilities pose significant challenges for pipeline operators in detecting and addressing emissions. With infrastructure often stretching across remote and hard-to-access areas, coordinating quick responses from ground crews becomes increasingly difficult. The windshield time needed to cover infrastructure and dispatch crews for follow-up is a major concern in the industry.
Operators must ensure that crews can reach identified leaks as quickly as possible, while maintaining safety, which requires efficient communication, logistics, and resource allocation. Balancing crew response times with the demands of ongoing monitoring is a key challenge for ensuring pipeline safety and operational efficiency. Midstream operators have increasingly adopted efficient advanced technologies that don’t require windshield time to detect leaks, and when ground crews must mobilize for follow-up or repairs, they have advanced insights that streamline the process.
Emissions Reduction Solutions for Midstream
Accelerated Emissions Reduction
Comprehensive data on your assets from Bridger Photonics’ aerial LiDAR technology means your team can gain an advantage through a complete understanding of emission sources, sizes, and frequencies. From there, make informed decisions to optimize system processes, implement timely upgrades, or retrofit equipment, all to achieve the greatest emissions reduction as fast as possible.
Super-Emitter Shield and Regulatory Compliance
Our technology quickly and efficiently scans entire asset bases for emissions in just a few days, identifying processes and sites that are frequent sources of emissions. From this, your team can address leaks and prevent super-emitters by eliminating the feedstock of small and mid-sized leaks that can eventually become super-emitters.
Bridger’s aerial LiDAR data can also help you confirm or refute the presence of a super-emitter, pinpointing individual sources to within approximately 2 meters (~6 feet), and distinguishing between emissions from your facility or neighboring sources. This same spatial resolution helps determine if a super-emitter alert is due to multiple plumes, or a single plume, crucial for accurate large-release event reporting under Subpart W.
Operators have trusted our aerial LiDAR solution to comply with gas pipeline leak detection requirements, and we’re ready to help you seamlessly achieve compliance as new PHMSA rules come into effect. Our technology exceeds the detection sensitivity standards we expect in PHMSA’s upcoming final leak detection rule.
Streamlined Operations
Our technology scans up to hundreds of miles of pipeline in a single day, accurately imaging emissions and localizing sources to within approximately 2 meters (~6 feet). This accuracy allows you to guide ground crews directly to the leak source, accelerating the response time for repairs, and enhancing safety.
Our continuous spatial coverage ensures comprehensive monitoring of both above and below-ground infrastructure, from transmission lines to compressor stations, with minimal downtime and best-in-class detection sensitivity—achieving far greater efficiency than vehicle-mounted or other types of monitoring systems.
Sector Spotlight: Large Midstream Operator
Phillips 66 operates pipeline assets across four states, and utilizes aerial LiDAR technology to efficiently detect emissions across their expansive pipeline network. After increasing its ownership in DCP Midstream in 2023, Phillips 66 operates one of the largest natural gas processing systems in the U.S.
Aerial LiDAR scans from Bridger Photonics are helping Phillips 66 exceed regulatory requirements and lead the industry in emissions reduction. Bridger's collaboration with Phillips 66 underscores a shared commitment to emissions reduction and the delivery of safe, reliable energy in the midstream sector.
Tackling Midstream Emissions
At Bridger, we partner with midstream companies to offer a comprehensive solution for reducing emissions, covering the entirety of above and below-ground infrastructure. Our team ensures unparalleled efficiency by scanning hundreds of miles of pipeline daily, with minimal downtime and best-in-class detection sensitivity that detects emissions both large and small.