Advanced Methane Detection, Analytics and Mitigation Project

Lead Proponent

Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC)

Project Background

This project aimed to demonstrate clean, reliable, scalable, rapidly deployable and effective technologies for methane detection, measurement, and mitigation using novel remote sensing sensors, platforms, analytics, advanced micro-combustion, and solar electric system solutions in the upstream oil and gas (UOG) sector. The project focused on the major sources of methane, namely cold light/medium and heavy oil production, natural gas production, and surface casing vent flows from major sources in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Results

The project demonstrated a portfolio of five methane emissions detection technologies and two methane emissions reduction in the Canadian upstream oil and gas sector. The technologies were progressed from Technology Readiness Level 6 to 8. Of these seven technologies, one did not continue forward in its development, but the other six progressed under separate technology development projects. The project outcomes were disseminated through industry forums and via the PTAC website.

Learnings from the project informed the development and execution of follow-on projects by PTAC and other organizations in the area of methane emissions measurements and reduction. The availability of new technologies for methane emissions detection and mitigation led to new policies at the federal and provincial levels, particularly informing regulatory developments and methane emissions mitigation incentive programs. In addition, Canadian innovators are now better prepared to export technologies and knowledge to international markets, particularly the United States; these global jurisdictions are in the process of adopting methane regulations and incentive programs analogous to the Canadian ones.