Methane Quantification

Methane quantification is the process of calculating how much methane is being emitted from a specific source over time. It estimates the emission rate, typically expressed in kilograms per hour (kg/hr), standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH) or similar units, and answers the critical question: How big is the leak?

How are Methane Emissions Quantified?

Emission rates can be quantified using various techniques, such as through direct gas  sampling, engineering calculations, mass balance tracking, and other methods.

Bridger Photonics’ aerial Gas Mapping LiDAR® (GML) quantifies emission rates by integrating methane gas concentration data with gas flow speed data in up to three spatial dimensions.

Why Does Methane Emission Quantification Matter?

Quantification is a key feature of  actionable methane detection data. Instead of just knowing where a leak is, operators can understand how much gas is being lost, which is important for several reasons:

• Prioritizing leak mitigation: Quantification allows operators to identify and focus resources on the most significant methane leaks
• Supporting emissions inventories: Quantification provides data for baselining and tracking emissions reductions, ensuring regulatory and reporting compliance, including OGMP 2.0 and U.S. EPA
• Enabling data-driven decision making: Quantification guides effective resource allocation and mitigation strategies, improving environmental and financial outcomes
• Promoting transparency: Emission rate quantification and inventories demonstrate accountability to regulators, investors, and the public

Without quantification, it’s nearly impossible to prioritize repairs, report accurately, or demonstrate improvement over time.

Key Applications in Oil and Gas

• Supporting regulatory reports with real emission rates
• Informing LDAR strategies with quantified data
• Prioritizing repairs by leak size
• Baselining and tracking emissions trends and reductions over time
• Demonstrating performance to regulators, stakeholders, and investors

Related: Methane Emission Rate, Aerial Methane Detection, Gas Mapping LiDAR, Emissions Intensity, Detection Sensitivity

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