Case Study
Transforming Methane Management Through Data-Driven Operational Partnership
.png)
About the case
How Coterra Energy (now Devon Energy, following the companies’ merger completed May 7, 2026) reduced its methane intensity, optimized operational workflows, and created a scalable methane management framework.
Metrics That Matter
64%
methane intensity reduction
in the Permian Basin
51%
total Permian methane
emissions reduction
35%
methane reduction for
newly acquired assets
Challenge:
As methane expectations evolve across the oil and natural gas industry, operators need more than periodic leak detection programs or fragmented monitoring approaches. Coterra Energy (Coterra) sought to build a methane management system capable of driving continuous operational improvement across a large and evolving asset base while improving efficiency, accountability, and long-term emissions performance.
Approach:
Since 2021, Coterra and Bridger have built a highly integrated, performance-driven methane management model. Using Bridger’s data, Coterra developed a
repeatable framework that combines aerial methane measurement, equipment-level analysis, asset prioritization, retrofit execution, and corporate incentives to drive sustained emissions reductions while improving operational efficiency.
A core innovation of Coterra’s program was an emissions scorecard built from equipment-level baselines across its operations using Bridger’s data. Rather than viewing performance only at the site level, Coterra evaluated individual
equipment categories to identify where losses were occurring and where action was needed most. Subsequent aerial surveys were used to track progress, validate repairs, and flag high-emitting facilities for upgrades. This helped prioritize improvements including compressor electrification, centralized flaring, retrofits at older sites, and tankless designs for new builds. The scorecard program created a continuous improvement model driven by measurable results. The result was a shift from reactive leak response to proactive asset optimization.
The partnership also supported replacement of labor-intensive legacy screening methods. At applicable facilities, Bridger’s aerial scans fully replaced voluntary drone-based OGI scans, reducing manpower requirements while increasing coverage efficiency.
Emissions Insights
Bridger’s aerial methane measurements provided Coterra with a comprehensive operational view of methane emissions across its asset base. The equipment-level insights helped identify recurring emission patterns, prioritize mitigation activities, and strengthen operational performance.
The partnership also advanced how methane performance was managed organizationally. In 2022, Coterra began tying emissions performance to internal compensation metrics, initially based off of EPA Subpart W data. In 2024, the company advanced this approach by incorporating direct methane measurement data into the performance goals—an innovative step ahead of its peers.
This shift elevated methane management from an environmental initiative to an enterprise performance priority touching operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams.
Key Takeaway
The Coterra and Bridger partnership demonstrates how methane measurement can evolve from a compliance activity into a scalable operational management system to continuous improvement. By combining recurring aerial measurement with equipment-level analytics, operational accountability, and targeted mitigation planning, the partnership created a repeatable framework that strengths operational efficiency and improves long-term asset management.
Following the completion of Devon Energy’s merger with Coterra Energy in May 2026, this methane management framework continues as part of Devon’s combined operations.
Business Impact
Equipment-Level Methane Visibility
Equipment-level methane insights supporting operational decision-making
Inspection & Deployment Efficiency
Reduced inspection burden and improved field deployment efficiency
Data-Driven Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement framework established, driven by quantified measurement data
Targeted Capital Allocation
More targeted capital allocation toward retrofits and mitigation actions
Enterprise Methane Integration
Integration of methane performance into enterprise operational priorities
Scalable Portfolio Framework
Scalable framework adaptable across basins, acquisitions, and evolving portfolios