Satellite technology is among an array of tools being deployed for leak detection in different sectors. OQGN is the exclusive owner and operator of a vast natural gas transmission network in Oman, and natural gas leak detection is a critical priority. This is to contribute to the country’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions. Oman has affirmed its commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 2015 Paris Agreement. Methane (CH₄) is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over 20 years. The oil and gas sectors are one of the largest anthropogenic sources of methane emissions, often through fugitive leaks and venting.
Satellite-based framework for detecting and quantifying methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure, with a focus on high-resolution data from lower-resolution hyperspectral sensors, and processed in an Artificial intelligence (AI) platform. We have applied advanced Artificial intelligence (AI) image processing algorithms to satellite imagery of our natural gas network, including validation against known source emissions and airborne measurements imaging solutions. Our methodology enables the identification of high-emitting facilities at spatial resolutions down to 4 meters, allowing OQGN to pinpoint leak sources and assess emission trends over time. Our case study in different regions of Oman demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach in uncovering previously unreported emitters.
The integration of satellite data along with Artificial intelligence (AI) into methane mitigation strategies offers a scalable, cost-effective, and transparent solution for regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring. Our findings highlight the revolutionary potential of satellite-based surveillance in promoting public openness and industrial accountability, along with discussing the difficulties caused by atmospheric interference, data delay, and false positives. We also offer solutions for incorporating satellite data into a global framework for methane monitoring.
This work contributes to ongoing efforts by OQGN and industry stakeholders to reduce methane emissions and meet climate targets under the Global Methane Pledge and other international agreements. There are a number of scientific, environmental, regulatory, and financial reasons why satellite-based methane leak detection is crucial. Remote, expansive, and politically sensitive areas that are difficult or impossible for ground-based inspections can be monitored by satellites. They provide a level of visibility that was previously unachievable by enabling reliable, repeatable measurements over the entire world. Early detection decreases the cost of environmental fines, equipment malfunctions, and reputational harm in addition to income loss.