Integrating Aerial Methane Detection Data with LeakTracker Pro®

An upstream oil and gas operator using LeakTracker Pro® wanted to integrate aerial methane detection data with its existing leak detection and repair (LDAR) records and OOOOa and OOOOb compliance workflows. Trihydro developed a streamlined process to bring flyover inspection results into LeakTracker Pro, connecting aerial detections with follow-up investigations, repair tracking, and regulatory reporting.

Aerial methane detection gives oil and gas operators another option for identifying and managing emissions across their operations. EPA-approved alternative test methods, including Bridger Photonics’ Gas Mapping LiDAR technology, can provide an alternative approach for meeting certain fugitive emissions monitoring requirements under OOOOa and OOOOb.

The EPA-approved method establishes protocols for using Gas Mapping LiDAR for applicable periodic methane monitoring requirements. EPA describes the technology as airborne Gas Mapping LiDAR remote sensing technology used for methane emissions monitoring.

Connecting Aerial Methane Monitoring with LDAR Workflows

For this operator, however, identifying emissions during an aerial survey was only part of the process. Flyover results still needed to be incorporated into the operator’s broader LDAR data management workflow, including follow-up investigations, repairs, recordkeeping, and reporting.

The operator relies on LeakTracker Pro® to maintain compliance for their fugitive emissions program and needed to include aerial survey results. Rather than managing flyover data separately, the goal was to create a connected workflow from initial detection through investigation, repair, and closeout.

The aerial technology identifies methane emissions, while LeakTracker Pro® helps close the loop to confirm leaking sources and recording repairs for compliance reporting.

Building a More Connected Aerial Monitoring Workflow

Trihydro worked with the operator to define the workflow and coordinated directly with Bridger Photonics to access the client’s aerial methane detection results. Initially, Trihydro’s support team backfilled the flyover inspection data into LeakTracker Pro®. The team then developed an integration process for operators to upload aerial provider’s Excel deliverable directly into LeakTracker Pro®.

Within LeakTracker Pro®, flyover was added as a survey method, with configurations designed to support applicable OOOOa and OOOOb requirements.

Managing Aerial Detections, OGI Follow-Up, and Repairs

When flyover results are uploaded, the system creates leak records, due dates, and action items based on each facility’s regulatory settings. Mobile app updates also support OGI follow-up investigations, allowing field teams to investigate and update detection information identified through aerial observations.

From there, LeakTracker Pro® tracks the repair lifecycle through closeout and will use uploaded inspection records to support applicable regulatory reporting.

Supporting OOOOa and OOOOb Compliance and Reporting

LeakTracker Pro® will use uploaded inspection records to support applicable regulatory reporting, giving the operator a more connected way to manage aerial methane monitoring alongside its other LDAR compliance activities.

By integrating aerial methane detection data into LeakTracker Pro®, the operator created a centralized LDAR workflow for managing flyover detections, follow-up investigations, repairs, and compliance records. The integration also reduced reliance on manual data transfer between the aerial survey results and the operator’s existing LDAR records.