Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-24
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-24
01 Mar 2022
 | 01 Mar 2022
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal AMT but the revision was not accepted.

Field inter-comparison of low-cost sensors for monitoring methane emissions from oil and gas production operations

Vincent M. Torres, David W. Sullivan, Elyse He'Bert, Jarett Spinhirne, Mrinali Modi, and David T. Allen

Abstract. Four solar-powered methane sensing systems with remote communication capabilities were tested for nine months at an oil and gas production site in west Texas. Sensor performance was evaluated using single blind certified gas challenges and by comparison with a continuously operated quantum cascade tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectrometer (QC-TILDAS) system. Dispersion modelling was used to estimate concentrations that would need to be detected to identify continuous and intermittent emission rates of 5–10 kg/hr from oil and gas production sites within ~50–100 m of the sensors, and these concentration thresholds were used in establishing performance criteria for the sensors. The four sensors demonstrated sufficient precision to allow for detection of emission rates of 5–10 kg/hr and had data capture rates that exceeded 80 % during the 9 months of operation. One sensor had a 100 % data capture rate, despite severe weather conditions and extended local electrical power losses. These results demonstrate that multiple commercially available sensing systems are suitable for long term methane emission monitoring in remote oil and gas production regions.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Vincent M. Torres, David W. Sullivan, Elyse He'Bert, Jarett Spinhirne, Mrinali Modi, and David T. Allen

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2022-24', Anonymous Referee #1, 15 Mar 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', David Allen, 03 May 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on amt-2022-24', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Mar 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', David Allen, 03 May 2022

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2022-24', Anonymous Referee #1, 15 Mar 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', David Allen, 03 May 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on amt-2022-24', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Mar 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', David Allen, 03 May 2022
Vincent M. Torres, David W. Sullivan, Elyse He'Bert, Jarett Spinhirne, Mrinali Modi, and David T. Allen
Vincent M. Torres, David W. Sullivan, Elyse He'Bert, Jarett Spinhirne, Mrinali Modi, and David T. Allen

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Latest update: 09 Oct 2024
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Short summary
Four solar-powered methane sensing systems with remote communication capabilities were tested for nine months at an oil and gas production site. Sensor performance was evaluated using single blind certified gas challenges that were compared with a continuously operated quantum cascade tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectrometer (QC-TILDAS) sensing system. Multiple sensors demonstrated sufficient precision to allow for detection of emission rates of 5–10 kg/hr.