Challenge
When bp announced its ambition to be a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero, it outlined an aim to install methane measurement at all of its existing major oil and gas processing sites by 2023, publish the data and then drive a 50% reduction in the methane intensity of its operations. In furtherance of this aim, bp expanded its existing relationship with Kairos Aerospace, enlisting the company to survey onshore oil and gas operations in the USA.
Solution
Using aircraft mounted high-resolution infrared imaging, Kairos is conducting quarterly campaigns of bp’s assets searching for methane leaks. Kairos is capable of surveying hundreds of square miles a day to locate and quantify emission sources.
Result
The data collected, combined with bp’s automated work management system, are enabling teams to find and repair leaks as well as prioritize maintenance of the most common emission sources. In Q3 2020 bp expanded the use of the technology to its assets in the Permian, Haynesville, and Eagle Ford basins.
Expanding impact
Academic research has shown that more than half of all methane emissions from oil and gas sites come from a small number of large sources. Using technology for regular checks to find them early and fix them is the most effective way to reduce emissions. With investment and support from OGCI Climate Investments, Kairos Aerospace is rapidly scaling up operations to offer their service across North America to both OGCI members and the broader oil industry.
Climate Investments case studies
Learn how our investments are helping to reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions and can recycle or store carbon dioxide.
GHGSat – Global methane detection at facility level
Methane is a potent, but odourless and colourless greenhouse gas, a combination that makes detecting leaks both very important and very hard.
XL: 23% improvement in fuel economy for Yale
Hybrid technology to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional buses without compromising vehicle performance
Solidia: Carbon eating concrete that lowers emissions from the production phase
By changing the chemistry of cement, Solidia has made concrete that outperforms traditional concrete, costs less, cures faster and has a 70% lower carbon footprint
SeekOps – Drone-based monitoring of methane emissions
Scalable methane detection techniques for on and offshore environments, that have shown results over five times more efficient than existing methods
bp – Mapping and capping methane emissions with Kairos Aerospace
Kairos Aerospace provides actionable data on major sources of methane emissions from aerial surveys.
Eni – Tackling fugitive emissions with Clarke Valve
Clarke Valve has developed a unique control valve that is low-cost and virtually eliminates fugitive methane emissions.
75F – Over 20% energy efficiency gains in a HOM showroom
Air temperature controls and smart sensors that self-optimize to make buildings more energy efficient, saving money and lowering emissions
Norsepower – Harnessing wind power to clean up modern shipping
Large mechanical sails installed on the Maersk Pelican tanker record annual saving equivalent to approximately 1,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The evolution of Net Zero Teesside
Getting a CCUS hub off the ground requires a commercial concept, funding, policies and regulations, community support, subsurface expertise and lots of patient work.
