Kuva cameras approved for methane detection

Kuva Systems, a Boston-headquartered developer of methane visualisation technology, said March 17 its infrared cameras and continuous monitoring solutions had been approved by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) for use in its alternative fugitive emissions management programme (altFEMP).

As part of a pilot project approved by the AER, Kuva’s infrared imaging cameras have been installed at oil and gas facilities operated by Whitecap Resources in Alberta, where they will continuously monitor for fugitive emissions of methane. It is believed to be the first such approval in the world for continuous optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras.

“We’re thrilled that Whitecap Resources has been approved by the AER to use our solution to monitor and identify methane emissions,” said Monica Sippola, Kuva’s Calgary-based director of business development. “Field installations have shown that Kuva’s continuous, installed cameras result in more emission reductions, because emissions are detected much faster than by quarterly or annual OGI inspections.”

Kuva’s solution enables upstream and midstream oil and gas companies to meet ESG goals and surpass regulatory compliance by quickly identifying leaks and analysing and fixing the root causes of emissions. Its cameras are operating at upstream and midstream facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado and Alberta.

Alongside the infrared cameras, Kuva’s industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform provides alerts with colorised video clips of emission plumes when methane leaks are detected and verified. The ability to see precisely which equipment is releasing emissions and when enables field operators to cross-check with their process data, remotely determine root-causes, and often resolve the issue – without the need for an in-person investigation.