Kuva Systems announced partnerships with Marathon Oil, Microsoft and Texas Tech University after its successful pilot program deploying additional infrared cameras to Marathon, according to a press release on April 12.

In 2021, Marathon Oil piloted eight of Kuva's methane imaging infrared cameras at its oil and gas production sites in the Permian Delaware Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Williston Bakken Shale and the SCOOP area of the Oklahoma Anadarko Basin. The company has since expanded to 10 additional cameras throughout its operational area.

"We believe that the technology, combined with our SCADA data, provides a more fulsome view of our operations and allows us to better understand and mitigate environmental impacts," Dana Wood, environmental supervisor at Marathon, commented in the press release.

Kuva's technology allows its customers to identify, analyze and address operational issues faster and safer than with manual inspection visits. Traditionally, camera systems that provided continuous emissions monitoring would cost ten times what Kuva's technology is offering customers.

In addition to its work with Marathon, Kuva has partnered with Microsoft through the "Microsoft for Startups" program, allowing the company to work with more customers and extend its reach further than otherwise possible. The monitoring program is powered by Microsoft Azure, which provides scalability and configurability, as well as industrial-grade security and encryption for both the Kuva camera and cloud solution.

Kuva has also provided gas detection cameras for Texas Tech University's Oilfield Technology Center in Lubbock, Texas, since September 2020 to establish detection limits. 

"We're thrilled to partner with leaders in business and academia like Marathon Oil, Microsoft and Texas Tech to help deliver real environmental solutions," Kuva CEO Stefan Bokaemper said. "We now have the technology to help companies more quickly identify methane leaks by delivering actionable information, and we're committed to helping our clients achieve their environmental goals."