ExxonMobil tests new monitoring technologies to reduce methane emissions

American multinational oil and gas firm ExxonMobil is field testing eight detection technologies to reduce methane gas emissions.

Detection technologies such as satellite and aerial surveillance monitoring technologies, as well as truck mounted, and fixed position monitoring solutions are included in the field trials.

ExxonMobil noted that the pilot project is being carried out at nearly 1,000 sites in the US states of Texas and New Mexico, using drones, planes, helicopters, ground-based mobile, as well as fixed-position sensors.

All the methane emission reduction technologies will be used to identify potential solutions, which can be shared with other oil and gas operating firms.

ExxonMobil unconventional senior vice-president Staale Gjervik said: “By testing the most promising methane detection technologies in a field environment, we are providing viable solutions that can be adopted by other producers to detect and reduce methane emissions.

“We are applying scientific rigor and taking aggressive steps to find commercially scalable and affordable solutions for all operators.”

“Through the trials, we have discovered methane sources that would otherwise not have been detected as efficiently or quickly under the current methods prescribed by regulations. The company is committed to immediately investigating and fixing methane emissions that are detected during the trial.”

Last month, ExxonMobil called for comprehensive and enhanced regulation of methane and introduced its own “model framework” for companies and lawmakers worldwide.

By the end of last year, the company reduced emissions by around 20% in its US unconventional operations when compared to 2016 levels.

ExxonMobil said it is on track to meet its methane emissions reduction target by 15% and flaring reduction by 25% by the end of this year.