Scaling Emissions Management While Improving Field Operations Efficiency

Challenge

Many midstream operators have geographically dispersed and complex asset bases. Traditional monitoring methods for these assets often came with significant on the ground presence, multiple measurement technologies for different asset types, high crew exposure and cost.

One large transmission operator, managing assets across thousands of miles, sought to improve visibility into system integrity and further manage gas loss, while reducing the complexity of managing multiple measurement activities and vendors. This operator needed a scalable methane management framework that could support long-term operational efficiency, emission reduction objectives, and reporting requirements across a large transmission system.

Approach

The operator implemented an annual aerial methane measurement program across approximately 20,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure and roughly 40 facilities using Bridger’s Gas Mapping LiDAR® technology.

Bridger’s emissions data was integrated directly into field operations workflows, enabling crews to prioritize repairs, improve deployment efficiency, and better coordinate remediation activities across the network. By identifying escaping gas remotely and at scale, the operator reduced unnecessary site visits and focused resources on addressing the highest-priority emission sources.

The program also consolidated multiple monitoring activities into a more unified operational framework. Instead of managing overlapping datasets and fragmented vendor workflows, the operator used recurring aerial measurements — managed through Bridger's Command platform — to create a consistent, scalable view of methane performance across its infrastructure. Command streamlined desktop recon, source triage, and closeout workflows, while enabling the operator to track each scan and quantify ROI over time. In addition to all the above, Bridger’s data prepares the company for Gold Standard reporting for OGMP 2.0.

Benefits

• Comprehensive visibility into gas loss across complete system including pipeline and supporting sites
• Improved product retention, and reduced brand exposure.
• Targeted deployment of field crews and operational resources
• Reduced drive time and unnecessary site visits through network-wide aerial measurement delivering significant HSE impact
• Streamlined data management, crew mobilization and reporting workflows via Bridger Command
• Reduced operational complexity through vendor consolidation
• Peace of mind knowing measurement supports OGMP 2.0 and other emissions reporting initiatives
  

Emissions Insights

Bridger’s aerial methane measurements provided a consistent operational view of methane emissions across the operator’s geographically distributed midstream network. The recurring measurement program helped identify emission patterns, improve prioritization of field response activities, and support more efficient deployment of operational resources across an extensive asset base.

By integrating emissions data directly into field workflows, the operator improved decision-making, reduced time spent locating emissions sources and increased the efficiency of mitigation efforts.

Results

• ~5.2x realized ROI within 6 months
• 38% reduction in drive time, improving field crew productivity and deployment efficiency
• ~$690,000 in additional savings through vendor consolidation
• Improved prioritization and deployment efficiency for field crews and operational resources
• Eliminated significant time previously spent reconciling fragmented datasets and monitoring approaches
• Established a streamlined and scalable methane management framework across approximately 20,000 miles of transmission infrastructure

Key Takeaway

This operator’s program demonstrates how measurement-based methane management can deliver value beyond emissions reduction. By combining network-wide visibility, operational efficiency improvements, and vendor consolidation, the operator achieved a 5.2x ROI within six months (Validated via follow-up flights), reduced drive time by 38%, and generated approximately $690,000 in additional savings while creating a scalable methane management framework across a large transmission network.

*Based on 12-month average price at Henry Hub *

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