Drone Measurements Ensure Global OGMP 2.0 Level 5 Compliance
B. J. Smith, Iain Cooper · 2024
Abstract The need for globally deployable, consistent emissions measurement programs is increasing as clean energy feedstock demands and regulatory pressures continue to rise. Many programs, such as Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, require high-accuracy and precision ‘bottom-up’ emissions calculations and facility-scale ‘top-down’ measurements. The challenge the industry faces is deciding where to allocate resources between abatement and measurement/reconciliation of GHG emissions. This work shares the deployment of a fit-for-purpose global emissions measurement program that is critical for measurement and reporting frameworks. All surveys were conducted with an independently validated, field-proven, drone-mounted miniature tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) designed to measure methane emissions in the atmosphere from energy-industry sources emission sources. High-fidelity anemometer data and high-accuracy and -precision methane measurements are necessary to ensure low uncertainty methane fluxes calculated using mass-balance algorithms. Facility-level emission rates are reported through a single measurement or the aggregation of several equipment group-level measurements. Standard operating procedures relevant to the application of any new "advanced" methane technology were developed to scale for global demand of methane measurement and reduction, ensuring consistency of solution across the globe and across operators. Surveys were scaled for numerous operators across 6 continents and growing from 0 to 24 global drone service providers (DSPs) over 7 years. Logistical challenges were overcome to ensure technology was transported into the regions of interest and quality of service maintained. Regional DSPs were trained and certified to ensure consistency of service operation and excellence in execution. The measurements from these campaigns show a dramatic increase in impact over time, and begin to highlight, in resolution, the differences and similarities between regional emission footprints, both onshore and offshore. Many of the emissions measurements shared with operators have resulted in change of behavior, accelerated repairs or the inclusion of validated data to internal/external methane measurement initiatives. Reconciliation between top-down and bottom-up emissions can be challenging, showing the importance of "continuous improvement" initiatives such as OGMP 2.0. This work shares the challenges of deploying novel technologies for the novel emissions measurement globally, highlighting operator-accepted cost-effective solutions that ensure global consistency across multiple assets in multiple countries, onshore and offshore, facilitating swift and transparent reconciliation.