Colorless and odorless, methane is the primary component of natural gas. Its potency makes it a crucial target for emissions reduction: Over a 20-year period, methane is roughly 80 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.2

Agriculture and waste management are major sources of methane, but the energy sector also contributes more than a third  of total methane attributable to human activities, with leaks occurring throughout the extraction, transportation and processing of fossil fuels.3

Recognizing the magnitude of the issue for industry, the Global Methane Pledge, an international agreement launched in 2021, unites more than 150 signatory countries in committing to reduce global methane emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by the end of this decade.

Methane monitoring

ABB is supporting these important efforts by providing a suite of emissions monitoring solutions, including for methane. These advanced detection analytics technologies empower industries to not only detect, locate and quantify methane leaks, but also to monitor and reduce emissions of a broader range of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Methane detection on the move

By identifying and quantifying sources of methane leaks, upstream, midstream, downstream and distribution companies can take targeted steps to curb their emissions. Recent advances in sensing, analytics and mobile technology have created new and better methods solutions for gas leak detection that perform significantly better than traditional detection methods.

A case in point: orphan wells. These abandoned oil and gas wells can spew methane and other harmful pollutants for years, contributing to global warming. Traditionally, locating and monitoring these derelict wells has been a complex and expensive undertaking.

ABB technology offers a solution. Our methane detection systems, such as ABB MicroGuard™, empower workers to efficiently locate and measure leaks from orphan wells. This data is then used to prioritize well-plugging efforts, mitigating environmental risks and contributing to a cleaner future.

Tracking emissions – from space

Canadian company GHGSat is a leader in utilizing satellite technology for high-resolution greenhouse gas monitoring. In 2020, they partnered with ABB to equip their constellation of satellites with ABB-built methane detection sensors.

Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS)

Ensuring a comprehensive approach to monitoring emissions that covers methane, but also other harmful emissions like CO₂, nitrous oxide and sulfur oxides, is key to accelerating the energy transition.

Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) are one of the ways in which industry is mobilizing to address these emissions. CEMS provide constant monitoring and analysis of the composition of gases that come out of industrial chimneys.

Complementing ABB’s Natural Gas Leak Detection suite and satellite-based solutions, CEMS play a vital role in end-to-end methane monitoring strategies. These systems provide real-time data on emissions from industrial facilities, power plants and other sources. This continuous stream of data allows for more precise identification of emission trends and fluctuations, enabling proactive adjustments to optimize processes and minimize the release of harmful gases.

Footnotes

1 https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2024

2 https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/energy/facts-about-methane

3 https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2024