Methane Plume
A methane plume is a cloud of methane gas that is invisible to the human eye, but can be mapped using specialized technology such as atmospheric LiDAR to create a visible representation of the plume. The methane plume imagery reveals the size of the plume and distribution of the methane gas present in the air after being released from a source. A methane plume map, or image, shows the shape, size, and direction of the gas as it disperses, based on wind and other atmospheric conditions.
Bridger Photonics’ Gas Mapping LiDAR® (GML) creates high-resolution methane plume images that help oil and natural gas operators quickly understand the locations and sizes of methane leaks.
Why Do Methane Plumes Matter?
Methane plumes that are located in an area near high risk zones, such a near infrastructure or densely populated areas can pose a hazard. Methane plume imagery allows insight into the location and extent of the plume so repair crews can safely address the methane leak. While raw detection data can confirm that methane is present, a visual plume image shows:
- Exactly where methane is in the air
- The manner in which it’s dispersing over time and space
- Where the likely source of the leak is
Using the plume map and associated calculations, it’s possible to quantify how large the emission source is.
Methane plume maps are especially useful for field teams who need to verify leaks, prioritize repairs, and inform repair crews of the location and extent of a leak before heading to the site. They also support QA/QC, regulatory documentation, and communication with stakeholders.
How Do Methane Plumes Work? (Brief Technical)
While methane plumes are not visible to the human eye, methane plume maps are generated by remote sensing systems like Bridger’s Gas Mapping LiDAR and visualize the methane distribution in the air.
During an aerial LiDAR scanning flight to map methane plumes:
- The sensor scans for path-integrated methane concentrations continuously from the aircraft
- Path-integrated methane concentrations are collected, and mapped to create a crisp gas plume image, which can be overlaid on aerial imagery or other GIS data
- The result is a color-coded visualization showing the location and shape of the methane plume and the concentrations detected
Methane plume images are often paired with quantified emission rates from the plume source, and GPS coordinates of the source equipment to give operators a full picture of the leak’s severity and location. This allows repair crews to go straight to the source as safely as possible.
Key Applications in Oil and Gas
- Identifying, visualizing, verifying, and investigating methane leak locations
- Supporting repair crews with plume visuals and equipment-level leak sources
- Improving communication across teams (operations, EHS, compliance)
- Documenting leak response actions for audits or reporting
Related: Leak Localization Error, Gas Mapping LiDAR, Methane Quantification, Emission Rate, Aerial Methane Detection
FAQs
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Does every methane leak have a plume?
Yes, however the degree to which a plume is visible by a methane sensing technology depends on the spatial resolution of the methane detection system and factors like emission rate, wind speed, and scan sensitivity.
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Are plume images real photographs?
No, plume images are data visualizations created by processing numerous sensor measurements of methane concentrations. They represent a snapshot in time, and are overlaid on aerial imagery to help teams understand where the gas is present.
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What does the shape of a plume tell me?
The shape and direction of a plume are influenced by wind and terrain. It can indicate how far gas has traveled and help pinpoint the likely source of the leak.
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How accurate are Bridger’s plume maps?
Bridger’s Gas Mapping LiDAR produces high-resolution plume data with localization errors typically within 2 meters (~6 feet) of the leak source, offering operators strong confidence in repair targeting.
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What is the difference between a methane plume and a methane emission rate?
A methane plume is a visual showing how gas is dispersed in the air, while emission rate quantifies how much methane is being released over time.
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