How to Quantify Methane Emissions from Altitude

Summary

As part of modern aerial methane detection, altitude-based methane emissions quantification provides a practical foundation for LDAR efficiency, compliance confidence, and enterprise-wide methane reduction. The data gives operators a measurable view of how much methane is being released from individual leaks, across facilities and basins, and where to focus repair work. 

Gas Mapping LiDAR® (GML) enables this by combining precise laser absorption measurements, high-resolution plume imagery, and wind data to calculate emissions rates in any environment, no matter how complex. 

This blog explains why aerial methods deliver stronger quantification results than ground-based tools, and how quantified emissions data transforms operational decision-making. 

Key Takeaways

• Quantifying methane emissions from altitude requires path-integrated gas concentration measurements and gas flow speed data
• Aerial detection provides the scale and consistency needed for equipment, facility, or basin level quantification data collection
• GML is uniquely suited for accurate measurement thanks to its sensitivity and high-resolution plume imaging
• Quantified emissions rates help teams prioritize repairs, allocate labor, reduce uncertainty, and strengthen reporting including for emissions inventories and intensities
• Aerial quantification can be integrated into LDAR, maintenance, and compliance workflows
  
  

What is Quantification? 

Quantification refers to the process of calculating the emission rates of methane leaks.

Instead of just identifying the presence of a leak, quantification determines specifically how large the leak is. This is the key to data-driven decision making and driving impactful results.

All measurements taken that are used for quantifying leaks are estimates, so it’s important to consider the total uncertainty in the final quantification result.

Why Does Methane Emissions Quantification Matter?

For operators working to reduce methane emissions, knowing a leak exists is only part of the equation. Understanding how much methane is being released is what determines urgency, resource allocation, and compliance implications. Quantifying methane emissions from altitude allows operators to evaluate individual and total emissions across asset networks of any size. Operators gain a comprehensive emissions picture that informs smarter planning at every level including for crew scheduling, equipment maintenance, compliance preparation, and enterprise-wide methane strategy.

Data for Quantification and Why Altitude Helps in Collecting It

Emission rates can be quantified using various techniques, such as through direct gas sampling, engineering calculations, mass balance tracking, and other methods.

Bridger Photonics’ aerial GML technology quantifies emission rates by integrating methane gas concentration data with gas flow speed data in up to three spatial dimensions.

Our team of analysts quantifies emission rates using protocols that involve selecting gas plume regions with minimal disturbance, to ensure the most accurate quantification estimates possible.Ground-based tools like OGI cameras can identify leaks, but they don’t measure and image the entire plume. Fixed sensors collect concentration data from a single point but can miss leaks because of blind spots. Neither can easily measure and pair concentration data, plume structure, and wind behavior at the scale needed to accurately quantify emission rates.

That’s why quantifying emissions from altitude is a critical evolution in methane management. With an aerial vantage point, operators can observe the entire plume—the source, the concentrations, and the extent.

Why Is GML the Preferred Method?

Bridger Photonics' technology stands out for its industry-leading quantification accuracy and detection sensitivity performance, capturing both small and large emitters in a single pass. Paired with the ability to scan vast geographic areas and dense infrastructure quickly with high-resolution plume mapping for every leak, operators unlock a complete view of their emissions profile.  

Extensive controlled release studies confirm the reliability of our quantification accuracy, which remains consistent regardless of environmental conditions:

• Aggregate Measurement Uncertainty = +8.2%
• Individual Measurement Uncertainty = ±31–68%

Our well-studied technology stands out by delivering the most accurate quantification data in its class. This ensures that the data you receive is fully reliable and auditable, providing the best foundation for baselining and tracking your emissions inventory.

Putting Quantification to Work: What Operators Do with the Data

Altitude-based quantification is operationally valuable because it drives immediate action. Bridger’s quantification follows a structured, repeatable workflow so the resulting data is actionable, comparable, and auditable.

Here’s how teams typically use the data:

• Prioritizing Leak Mitigation: Quantification allows operators to identify and focus resources on the most significant methane leaks, reducing environmental impact and eliminating safety risks.
• Supporting Emissions Inventories: Quantification provides data for baselining and tracking emissions reductions, ensuring regulatory and reporting compliance, including OGMP 2.0.
• Enabling Data-Driven Decision Making: Quantification guides effective resource allocation and mitigation strategies, improving environmental and financial outcomes.
• Promoting Transparency: Emission rate quantification and inventories demonstrate accountability to regulators, investors, and the public.

When operators have accurate emissions quantification across all facilities, every downstream decision from repair prioritization to investments to reporting becomes easier.

Quantification as a Foundation for Systemwide Methane Management

Quantifying methane emissions from altitude gives operators something they’ve never had before: a consistent, measurement-based view of emissions down to the equipment-level across entire asset bases. GML makes that possible by providing a single, integrated dataset that operators can use across LDAR, planning, and compliance.

For operators ready to build a methane strategy grounded in measurement, accuracy, and operational efficiency, Bridger provides the aerial capabilities needed to get started. To explore how altitude-based emissions quantification can support your methane program, visit Bridger Photonics to learn more.