Using a satellite-aircraft hybrid system based on the same sensor to monitor oil and gas facilities for methane emissions
Hanford J. Deglint A , Warren D. Shaw A and Jean-Francois Gauthier B CA GHGSat Inc., 101 - 6th Ave SW, Suite 1055, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2P 3P4.
B GHGSat Inc., 3981 St-Laurent, Suite 500, Montréal, QC, Canada, H2W 1Y5.
C Corresponding author. Email: jfg@ghgsat.com
The APPEA Journal 61(2) 384-388 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ20182
Accepted: 3 March 2021 Published: 2 July 2021
Abstract
Monitoring methane emissions from oil and gas facilities requires the combination of several technologies to gain a full understanding of the challenge at a manageable cost. The integration of frequent and affordable high resolution satellite measurements to find the larger leaks with less frequent, but more expensive, aerial surveys, forms the basis of a tiered monitoring system showing great promise to optimise leak detection and repair activities. In this extended abstract, examples of methane emissions measurements from controlled releases and at oil and gas facilities acquired with both GHGSat’s second satellite, Iris (launched in September 2020) and the airborne variant of the same sensor are presented. While the combination of different technologies is not uncommon, this system is the first in the world utilising the same sensor at two different altitudes. The performance parameters of each system are highlighted and supported with recent examples. In addition, the advantages of the hybrid system will be discussed, including the opportunity for cross-validation of measurements. Finally, the potential of such a system to be used for regulatory reporting purposes will be discussed and contrasted to the standard of performing optical gas imaging camera campaigns three times a year used in some jurisdictions, notably in Canada and the United States.
Keywords: methane, emissions, climate change, decarbonisation, fugitive emissions, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, methane leaks, HSE, environment, safety, CH4.
Dr. Hanford J. Deglint is the Airborne Operations & Science Specialist at GHGSat Inc. Hanford joined GHGSat’s regional office in Calgary, Alberta in 2019 to support and advance the airborne operations. Hanford has over 10 years of experience in airborne systems and operations and 6 years of experience in oil & gas research and development. He has helped develop airborne hyperspectral systems, from conception to calibration to field deployment, and used neutron scattering and scanning electron microscopes to help model how varying fluids move through the pore spaces in rock. Hanford has had roles in project management and sales and marketing. Hanford holds a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of the Fraser Valley (Canada), an M.Sc. in Electrical & Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. in Geoscience, both from the University of Calgary (Canada). |
Warren Shaw has been managing GHGSat’s airborne systems since 2018. He is based on the company’s regional office in Calgary, Alberta. Mr. Shaw has over 13 years of experience in airborne remote sensing and hyperspectral imaging. Over that time, he has held a variety of positions including: research scientist, instrument calibration manager and field operations manager. He started his career as a field operator and data processor for a gravity survey company. Mr. Shaw graduated from the University of Calgary (Canada) in 2000 with B.Sc. degrees in physics and astrophysics, as well as an M.Sc. degree in physics in 2006 from the University of Victoria (Canada). |
Jean-Francois Gauthier is a Mechanical Engineer and lifelong space geek with over 15 years of experience in the commercial space industry in various capacities at leading space hardware supplier COM DEV including design and test, project management and sales and marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also a graduate of the International Space University’s Summer Session Program (2006). In October 2016, he joined GHGSat to help commercialise the products and services from their breakthrough satellite around the world. In his role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, he leads the company’s efforts to help the oil and gas industry take on the challenge of addressing climate change, one satellite at a time. |
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