Why Offshore Methane Detection Is So Hard (and What’s Finally Making It Easier)

Leak detection and repair has long been a cornerstone of responsible operations in the oil and gas industry. But while onshore facilities have been benefiting from increasing access to advanced technologies and improved LDAR options, offshore platforms have continued to face persistent barriers to comprehensive, accurate emissions monitoring.

The logistical complexity and safety considerations unique to offshore environments have historically limited what’s possible. Until now. 

New advancements in aerial methane detection are shifting what’s feasible, offering operators a safer, more efficient, and data-rich path forward.

The Offshore Challenge

Monitoring offshore methane emissions presents a fundamentally different set of challenges compared to onshore operations:

• Restricted Access: Deploying personnel or equipment offshore is costly and often delayed by weather, transportation logistics, or platform scheduling. Routine access isn’t guaranteed and certainly not on short notice.
• Safety Risks: Traditional detection methods like OGI and hand-held sniffers require crew members to navigate complex infrastructure, often in hazardous areas. Every on-platform deployment increases safety exposure.
• Limited Coverage: Spot-checking a portion of a platform’s equipment leaves operators with blind spots. Even scheduled LDAR campaigns can miss intermittent or low-volume leaks that escape visual detection.
• Data Gaps: Some offshore leak detection methods can produce qualitative or incomplete results, making it difficult to quantify emissions or localize leaks precisely. This is a growing concern as regulators and stakeholders demand more rigorous data.

As regulatory frameworks like the EU Methane Regulation and OGMP 2.0 evolve, the gap between compliance requirements and offshore monitoring capabilities has been widening.

A New Approach: GML for Offshore

To address these challenges, Bridger Photonics has adapted its Gas Mapping LiDAR® (GML) technology for offshore environments. Originally developed for wide-area aerial scans of onshore production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, GML is now available in a new drone format, offering a breakthrough solution for offshore operators.

Here’s how GML for Offshore changes the equation:

• Best in Class Sensitivity: With the ability to detect leaks as small as ~1 kg/hr, GML captures the kinds of emissions that often go unnoticed by traditional methods and is especially adept at detecting intermittent and low-volume leaks.
• Precise Localization: Bridger’s AI-powered analytics localize emissions down to individual equipment groups, dramatically improving the efficiency of repair efforts and root cause analysis.
• Quantitative Data: Unlike qualitative detection methods, GML provides accurate leak rate quantification—an essential component for regulatory reporting, ESG disclosures, and emissions benchmarking.

By solving for access, safety, resolution, and data quality simultaneously, GML for Offshore represents a major step forward in offshore LDAR.

From Burden to Opportunity

Methane emissions from offshore assets are notoriously difficult to detect, but the pressure to do so is mounting. Regulatory compliance is only part of the equation: Investors, partners, and the public are increasingly focused on verifiable, high-resolution emissions data.

This shift can feel like a burden. But with technologies like GML for Offshore, it’s also an opportunity—to improve visibility, prioritize action with confidence, and demonstrate leadership in methane mitigation.

Offshore operations may mean complex infrastructure in challenging environments, but with the right tools, they no longer have to be isolated from progress.

To learn more about how GML for Offshore is reshaping methane detection at sea visit: GML for Offshore.