Case Study
Consolidation of Monitoring Activities to Reduce Cost and Drive Greater Impact
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About the case
How replacing fixed-sensor monitoring with aerial measurement is projected to save a large upstream operator more than $6 million over three years.
Metrics That Matter
>$6M
three-year direct
cost savings
~6,300
labor hours saved over three years (1 FTE/yr)
~40k
fewer miles driven over three years
3.6x
return relative to program cost
Challenge:
An upstream operator in the Permian Basin sought to achieve best-in-class emissions performance while supporting U.S. EPA OOOO regulatory requirements and broader OGMP 2.0 reporting objectives.
Existing fixed sensor monitoring approaches required significant travel and labor to investigate emissions across dispersed assets, limiting operational efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
At the same time, the operator needed a more accurate, efficient approach to emissions tracking and reporting that could reduce lease operating expenses (LOE) while supporting long-term compliance and business performance.
Approach:
To assess replacing the existing fixed sensor monitoring approach, the operator utilized a third party to evaluate a comprehensive aerial methane measurement program using Bridger's GML technology. The evaluation incorporated replacement and consolidation of activities that support OGMP 2.0, U.S. EPA OOOO compliance, and continuous improvement of emissions performance.
The aerial program is projected to enable the operator to re-focus resources on performance impacting tasks rather than alert follow-ups, reduce reliance on labor-intensive monitoring activities, take a more systematic approach to emissions performance, and improve costs by reducing monitoring redundancy.
Why Aerial
The aerial measurement program using Bridger’s technology is expected to provide a scalable framework for managing methane emissions across a large upstream portfolio. Quantified emissions data allow the operator to move beyond broad screening approaches and prioritize actions based on measured emissions impact.
Source attribution enables field teams to focus repair efforts where they would deliver the greatest emissions reductions, while auditable coverage records and detection sensitivity traceability improve confidence in reporting and program performance for U.S. EPA OOOO requirements.
The program is also expected to improve operational efficiency by consolidating monitoring activities and reducing the labor burden associated with ground-based approaches.
Key Takeaway
By replacing fixed sensor monitoring costs and labor-intensive ground crew follow-up with a scalable aerial methane measurement program, Bridger’s program is expected to help the operator improve emissions visibility, prioritize mitigation activities, and streamline reporting workflows across its upstream asset portfolio.
It shows how aerial measurement can turn methane management from a monitoring exercise into a strategic business decision.
Projected results are based on a third-party financial model developed using operator-specific inputs and assumptions. Actual results will vary based on site conditions, regulatory requirements, and other factors. This case study does not constitute a guarantee of performance, savings, or regulatory compliance.
Projected Business Impact
>$6M
direct cost savings over three years through removal of redundant measurements
~40,000
fewer miles driven over three years
~6,300
labor hours saved over three years, equating to approximately three full-time employees who can be redirected to more focused efforts
~$1.2M
opportunity cost associated with delaying implementation by six months
3.6x
multiple of program cost returned in value
EPA and OGMP 2.0 Support
Supporting compliance with EPA and OGMP 2.0 reporting requirements