Methane Point Instrument
Monitor methane leaks with precision, plug-and-play detection that scales.
Catch every leak with continuous methane detection.
Methane lidar camera
Continuous methane monitoring for high‑priority facilities using proven technology that has earned US EPA approval
Overview
Approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Best-in-class results at METEC.
With a range of up to 200 m [656 ft], our methane lidar camera* is designed for continuous monitoring at sites such as large well pads, gathering and boosting stations, and LNG terminals. It enables simple, robust visualization and precise quantification of methane emissions on a continuous basis—from a compact, readily available, and cost-effective equipment platform. Read the product sheet.
The camera was evaluated in single-blind controlled testing at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC), Colorado State University, where its performance was validated across hundreds of controlled releases. METEC has published the results in a peer-reviewed paper; the methane lidar camera is Solution B.
Compared with eight other continuous monitors tested at METEC, our methane lidar camera ranked first in localization accuracy, quantitative accuracy, and time to detection and ranked second in 90% detection limit.
How the camera complies with OOOO regulations from the US EPA
Approved for periodic screening
Approved for all leak resolution thresholds
(1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 15 kg/h)
Approved for component-level spatial resolution
Approval broadly applicable across the sector
Methane Lidar Camera
Detect, locate, visualize, and quantify methane emissions in nearly all weather conditions.
Applications
24/7 methane emissions monitoring, in real time
- Alternative test method approved by the US EPA under OOOO regulations, with component-level spatial resolution, for all basins and all leak resolution thresholds
- Onshore oil and gas upstream, midstream, and distribution facilities anywhere in the world
- Particularly suited to large, complex, or dense facilities
- Non-O&G sectors such as agriculture, waste, and mining
Our methane lidar camera detects, locates, visualizes, and quantifies methane emissions. It superimposes a methane image on a traditional camera image, showing the exact location of an emission source.
Benefits
Pinpoint and quantify emissions with accuracy
- See the exact leak location, distinguishing between leaks and permitted emissions
- Monitor regions up to 400 m [1,312 ft] in diameter with one device
- Quantify the methane mass emission rate with industry-leading quantitative accuracy
- Detect methane specifically, unaffected by other gases or water vapor
- Monitor day and night, without interference from light weather conditions or the temperature difference between the background and gas plume (ΔT)
Features
Leveraging a new technique called tunable diode lidar, our methane lidar camera combines the advantages of a range of gas-detection technologies to enable remote spectroscopy and ranging with low-power semiconductor diode lasers.
Using eye-safe laser technology and permanently mounted on a pole or mast, the automated camera scans the entire facility within its field of view and zooms in on any detected leaks to identify the leaking component. A wind sensor is connected to the camera and measures the local wind speed and direction. This technology visualizes methane emissions and quantitatively determines the emission rate, duration, location, persistence, and timing. Equipped with this information, you can report emissions and prioritize repairs.
A laser on a pan and tilt stage scans your facility, providing images of methane plumes and measurements of the mass emission rate in real time, both day and night.
The methane lidar camera visualizes methane emissions across a wide range of rates.
FAQs
What is the OOOO family of regulations from the US EPA?
The US EPA’s regulations OOOO, OOOOa, OOOOb, and OOOOc—collectively referred to as the OOOO family of regulations—limit emissions from certain upstream and midstream oil and gas facilities in the US. The four regulations cover different facilities that were constructed or modified on different dates. The regulations mandate use of particular technologies that reduce intended methane emissions. They also mandate leak detection and repair campaigns to find and fix unintended fugitive methane emissions.
How does our methane lidar camera help operators comply with the OOOO family of regulations?
The methane lidar camera has been approved by the US EPA as an alternative test method to satisfy the leak detection requirements in the OOOO family of regulations.
The camera’s approval is broadly applicable across the sector, so it can be used in all regulated basins.
Because the camera was approved at all leak resolution thresholds, operators can choose how frequently to screen for leaks and, consequently, the size of leaks requiring follow-up inspection. At some screening levels, there is no need to perform routine optical gas imaging (OGI) surveys.
The camera was approved for component-level spatial resolution, meaning that it can identify exactly where emissions are coming from. This approval provides operators with two advantages. First, when leaks occur, repair crews can go directly to the leaking component, with no need to perform an OGI survey of the entire facility. Second, permitted vents are readily identified and do not create false positives requiring follow-up investigation. Unlike other methods that have been approved by the US EPA but have less-precise spatial resolution, operators who use our methane lidar camera will not need to follow up whenever permitted vented methane is detected and will not need an OGI survey of the entire facility when a fugitive leak occurs.
* The methane lidar camera is a licensed product of QLM Technology Ltd.
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