Articles | Volume 18, issue 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4207-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4207-2025
Research article
 | 
09 Sep 2025
Research article |  | 09 Sep 2025

Evaluating mass flow meter measurements from chambers for greenhouse gas emissions from orphan wells and other point sources

Karl B. Haase and Nicholas J. Gianoutsos

Cited articles

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Alboiu, V. and Walker, T. R.: Pollution, management, and mitigation of idle and orphaned oil and gas wells in Alberta, Canada, Environ. Monit. Assess., 191, 611, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7780-x, 2019. 
Alicat Scientific: Alicat Gas Select™ 5.0 Preloaded Gases and Properties: https://documents.alicat.com/specifications/Alicat_Preloaded-Gases-and-Properties_Rev0.pdf (last access: 1 November 2024), 2014. 
Alicat Scientific: M Series Mass Flow Meters, https://www.alicat.com/models/m-gas-mass-flow-meters/ (last access: 4 September 2024), 2024a. 
Alicat Scientific: MWB Series Mass Flow Meters, https://www.alicat.com/models/mwb-low-pressure-drop-portable-gas-mass-flow-meters/ (last access: 4 September 2024), 2024b. 
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Short summary
This work demonstrates a simple approach for using mass flow meters connected to rigid chambers for measuring gas emissions rates in situations the meter cannot be attached directly, such as orphan oil and gas wells. This paper shows the results of performance testing, demonstrates common sources of uncertainty, and provides suggestions for how to use the approach to generate the best quality data. The findings can be used by researchers, the petroleum industry, regulators, and carbon markets.
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