Real-Time Methane Flare Inspection for Environmental Compliance in Oil and Gas

Overview: Real-Time Methane Combustion Monitoring for Environmental Compliance

Methane, a 25 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂, poses a significant environmental risk. Methane emissions are a byproduct of oil extraction, often accumulating in underground reservoirs’ upper parts. The EPA mandates that methane be captured for energy use or burned in controlled combustion, reducing it to less harmful CO₂. However, proper combustion monitoring is crucial to ensure the quality and continuity of the burn, minimizing the release of heavy combustion by-products.

With nearly a million oil wells in the U.S., continuous monitoring is essential for compliance and environmental protection. Noctuai developed a Methane Flare Inspector app for a leading oil and gas company to help the client meet EPA regulations under Method 22, avoid fines, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Challenges: Ensuring Accurate and Reliable Methane Flare Monitoring

The project involved several vital challenges that required innovative solutions:

1. Accurate Detection and Differentiation: EPA Method 22 requires clear identification of flame and smoke to assess combustion quality. Given that methane flares often appear against a dynamic sky with clouds, distinguishing these elements accurately proved challenging.
2. Low Visibility and Harsh Conditions: Methane combustion occurs in open fields where environmental factors such as weather and dust often compromise visibility. Ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring under these conditions was essential for regulatory compliance.
3. Data Limitations and Model Training: Developing an accurate model for flare inspection required extensive training data. Noctuai leveraged synthetic and real-world data to develop a model capable of accurately analyzing methane flares in varied environmental conditions.

Solution Approach: Innovative Methane Flare Inspection Technology

To address these challenges, Noctuai implemented a tailored approach for the Methane Flare Inspector app:

1. Synthetic and Real-World Data for Model Training: Noctuai utilized synthetic and accurate data to build a robust model for methane flare inspection. Synthetic data helped simulate various weather and visibility conditions, enhancing the model’s accuracy in detecting and analyzing flare quality.
2. Customized Detection Algorithms: The Methane Flare Inspector was developed with specialized algorithms to differentiate flames and smoke against a complex background. This capability was essential for reliable compliance with EPA Method 22, ensuring combustion quality is within regulatory standards.
3. Low-Visibility Optimization: To maintain reliability in challenging open-field conditions, the app was optimized for low visibility, accurately identifying and tracking combustion events.
4. OEM Agreement for Continuous Support and Updates: Noctuai established an OEM supplier agreement with the client, ensuring ongoing support, updates, and maintenance.

Outcomes: Compliance, Emission Control, and Real-Time Monitoring Success

The Methane Flare Inspector was deployed to monitor over 100 oil wells in the Permian Basin, with hundreds of thousands of similar wells. The deployment helped the client achieve compliance with EPA regulations and strengthened their environmental stewardship efforts.

• Enhanced Compliance with Environmental Standards: The app enabled the client to meet stringent U.S. EPA regulations under Method 22, avoiding potential fines and contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effective Emission Control: The solution helped reduce methane emissions, a major environmental goal in oil extraction operations, by ensuring proper methane combustion quality.
• Reliable Real-Time Monitoring: Optimized for open-field conditions, the Methane Flare Inspector provided real-time monitoring across diverse environmental conditions, ensuring the accuracy and reliability required for regulatory compliance.
• Flare Inspection app is available on the AI Cam platform

This project showcases Noctuai’s expertise in applying AI technology to environmental compliance in the oil and gas industry. It offers a solution that aligns with stringent regulatory standards and supports sustainability goals.