Aerial LiDAR Methane Detection and Analytics for Production and Midstream Emissions Reduction in Australia

Methane detection and mitigation are critical priorities for the oil and gas industry, yet existing ground-based approaches often face limitations in coverage, accuracy, and timeliness. This paper presentation reports on recent aerial LiDAR-based methane detection and analytics programs conducted across Australia’s production and midstream infrastructure in collaboration with major international operators. The LiDAR data and analytics system employs aircraft-mounted laser sensors to measure methane concentrations, quantify leak rates, and localize emission sources to within approximately two meters. These measurements are integrated with advanced analytics to generate plume imagery, emission inventories, and site-level insights that support targeted leak repair, and operational planning. A detection sensitivity down to 1 kg/hr with a 90% probability of detection is typically used for upstream and midstream assets. The method boosts efficiency by monitoring hundreds of sites or kilometers of pipeline per day, including in remote or inaccessible terrain. Applications include improved prioritization of repair activities, enhanced worker safety by reducing vehicle-based inspections, and auditable emissions data to support methane intensity and emissions inventory benchmarking and tracking. Advanced analytics provide insights to identify trends in leaks across equipment types, equipment age, or other factors, and aid in predicting and preventing future emissions. The aerial LiDAR technology has been used by a major Australian operator in conjunction with ground-level monitoring to refine the accuracy of the company’s methane data, and in turn directly inform emissions mitigation planning and support progress towards upcoming methane reduction targets.