Remote methane detection by UAV

Industry context

The UK oil and gas industry is committed to halving operational emissions by 2030.​

​Eliminating methane leakage is crucial to achieving this target. However, there is currently limited capability to measure methane emissions from individual offshore assets with reporting based on estimates, creating significant measurement uncertainty

Project overview

Flylogix and SeekOps have successfully delivered accurate quantification of methane emissions from offshore facilities by flying a miniaturised laser spectrometer on a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). ​

​The pairing of an accurate methane spectrometer sensor with a UAV allowed deployment from land to nine offshore platforms in the North Sea. Innovative flight patterns and novel algorithms developed to calculate mass flux around each asset in this study allowed for rapid processing time. ​

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The study also demonstrated the use of this technology to derive accurate facility-level emission rates to verify current industry performance and data. The project developed a helix mass flux methodology and flight patterns. A subsequent controlled release experiment was also designed and executed to validate and better understand uncertainties.

Outcome

12,500km+ flown, unmanned

Data collected at just 250 metres from assets – the closest a fixed wing UAV has flown to an offshore facility ​

Over 2.5m atmospheric data points recorded and analysed​

Uses 98% less fuel than an offshore helicopter – greener, safer and more cost-effective ​

12,500km+ flown, unmanned

Data collected at just 250 metres from assets – the closest a fixed wing UAV has flown to an offshore facility ​

Over 2.5m atmospheric data points recorded and analysed​

Uses 98% less fuel than an offshore helicopter – greener, safer and more cost-effective ​