Bridger's aerial methane detection technology approved by EPA
Bridger Photonics (Bridger) announced today that its Gas Mapping LiDAR™ technology has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be used for regulatory compliance. Oil and gas operators looking to reduce fugitive methane emissions and meet regulatory requirements for emissions scans will be able to use the technology to detect and locate emissions.
This approval comes after the widespread adoption of Bridger’s technology by operators across the oil and gas industry, including nine of the top ten natural gas producers in the U.S. The EPA included the option for advanced technology in its latest “Methane Rule” after requests and comments from the industry indicated that advanced technology like Bridger’s were more efficient and effective at detecting fugitive methane emissions. With the approval of advanced methane detection technology, operators now have new options beyond traditional, more time-consuming methods, helping them more effectively streamline repairs and proactively reduce emissions.
“We are thrilled to receive EPA approval,” stated Bridger’s co-founder and CEO Pete Roos. “Our team has worked tirelessly to develop and optimize our proprietary technology. The widespread voluntary adoption of our technology by the oil and gas industry has established the value we provide outside of the regulatory framework. Now, this regulatory approval allows us to make emissions reduction even simpler for the oil and gas industry,” he added.
Bridger’s technology uses laser sensors attached to small aircraft and helicopters to fly over oil and gas infrastructure to detect fugitive methane emissions. The technology detects, locates, images, and quantifies emissions, providing operators with the data needed to efficiently find and repair leaks, as well as info to strategically address systematic issues and proactively mitigate emissions. The aerial deployment of the technology allows for quicker detection and mitigation. “We scan the facilities at a rate of more than ten times faster than ground crews. This allows ground crews to avoid spending time visiting sites without emissions and focuses ground crews' efforts where it counts... on the emissions,” stated Roos.
