PHMSA Methane Detection

PHMSA methane detection refers to the leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements set by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for natural gas pipelines and facilities. These regulations apply to transmission, distribution, and certain gathering pipelines and are designed to ensure the safe transportation of energy resources.

Why PHMSA Methane Detection Matters?

Methane leaks from natural gas pipelines pose safety and environmental risks. PHMSA regulations mandate leakage survey requirements that vary in frequency depending on pipeline class and type: 

• PHMSA uses four classes to categorize how close natural gas lines are to people
• Class 1 applies to pipe in a rural location, while Class 4 indicates a densely populated location
• With safety as a primary concern, pipes in Class 4 locations have more regulations than pipes in Class 1 locations
• Four types of pipelines, Type A, B, C, and R are defined based on pipeline size and/or pressure

A combination of pipeline class and type determine the leakage survey frequency requirements. Systems like Bridger Photonics’ Gas Mapping LiDAR™ (GML) support these requirements by delivering high-resolution, geo-tagged, and quantified methane leak data suitable for use in PHMSA compliance programs.

How PHMSA Methane Detection Works (Brief Technical)

PHMSA regulations require operators to perform regular leak surveys, with the frequency depending on pipeline class and type. Methane detection systems used for these surveys must meet minimum performance expectations and support detailed recordkeeping.

Aerial detection with Bridger’s GML helps operators comply with PHMSA’s leakage survey requirements by providing:

• Extensive coverage on up to hundreds of miles of pipeline per day, including remote or hard-to-access pipeline segments
• Quantified methane emission rates to aid in prioritization of leak repair
• Accurate leak localization to typically within ~2 meters
• Clear, audit-ready reports with geospatial emissions data, crisp plume imagery, and up-to-date aerial photography

This scalable approach is well-suited to transmission and gathering lines that require cost-effective, repeatable monitoring.

Key Applications in Oil and Gas

• Meeting PHMSA’s leakage survey requirements
• Supporting repair prioritization
• Verifying coverage of pipeline assets across broad geographies
• Documenting inspection results for audits or investigations
• Integrating aerial surveys with broader pipeline safety programs

Related: Aerial Methane Detection, Gas Mapping LiDAR, Methane Quantification, Leak Localization Error, Distribution Sector

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