Methane Leak Technology Bolsters Oil Industry’s ESG Efforts

Kayrros, a data analytics company, has developed a system to analyze methane leaks detected by satellite imagery. The data comes from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel 5-P satellite, launched in October 2017.

“This satellite gives us the ability to look at large concentrations, or clusters, of leaks pretty much around the world,” said Kayrros advisory board Chairman Andrew Gould, former CEO of Schlumberger. “It is slightly weather constrained, but not very much.”

The 20-year warming potential of methane is 85 times greater than CO_2, he said, but measuring methane emissions is more difficult than measuring those of CO₂. Methane is invisible and must be measured directly, and it can also spread over a wide range.

With oil and gas companies frequently characterized as villains by climate change activists, some are nervous about working with emissions detection specialists. Kayrros sees itself as a partner to the industry.