Fans of the hit television show Yellowstone are familiar with the no-nonsense, rough, and independent side of Montana that is attracting attention in one of television’s most successful programs. Fellow Montanans have Kevin Costner to thank for the hundreds of questions answered about the great state from those whose only exposure is the TV show. Fortunately, the real Montana is becoming known for something more meaningful and lasting than this season’s highest-rated drama. Montana is leading the way in advancements in fugitive emission detection and prevention technology.
By Nick Runyon, CEO, MagDrive Technologies
As one of the only states in the nation giving residents a constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment,” Montana has a complicated history of balancing natural resources and environmental protections with mining and energy industries. For starters, the nickname ʽThe Treasure State’ is not referencing the crystal-clear trout streams and the Rocky Mountains. Montana has pulled treasure out of the ground since its founding and officially adopted the nickname in the late 1800s due to the state’s status as the country’s foremost product of metallic treasures like gold, silver, and copper at the time. This can be found on the state flag containing the motto of ʽoro y plata’, which is Spanish for ʽgold and silver.’
Today, mining and fossil fuel production are still top of mind for residents. Montana ranks 12th in the nation for oil production, and fourth in the country for coal production, according to data gathered from the Energy Information Administration. However, these industries only represent about 3.5% of Montana’s gross domestic product (GDP). Perhaps the attention given to the environmental impact of these extractive industries is more politically motivated than anything else.
Each year millions of people visit Montana to ski, fish, and hunt Montana’s State and National forests, as well as visit Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Parks. Natural resources like these are leading the economy today through tourism and real estate sales, renting, and leasing. Interest in Montana’s natural resources, from both extraction and preservation camps, has put Montana in the spotlight on climate and conservation issues once again.
Last month, Montana made national headlines when a group of young environmental activists sued the Montana government, claiming that state agencies were violating their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. In a first-of-its-kind case, District Court Judge Kathy Seeley found the state’s policy in evaluating requests for fossil fuel permits – which does not allow agencies to evaluate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions – unconstitutional. The Montana Attorney General plans to appeal the ruling. While the ultimate outcome may not be known for years to come, it can be certain that this, and similar court cases, will only become more prevalent over the next decade as the world moves closer to 2030 and 2050 climate goals established through global collaboration.
This court case is the latest evidence of the high value placed on a clean environment by Montana residents. It is perhaps why Montana is leading the charge for advancements in fugitive emissions technology today. In fact, fugitive emissions leak detection and remediation are becoming big business in Montana.
Advancements in Fugitive Emission Leak Detection
Zig Ziglar said, “You cannot hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have.” If one wants to solve the problem of fugitive emissions, one must first bring visibility to the invisible threat. Enter Bridger Photonics.
Bridger Photonics creates and deploys innovative LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and analytics to detect and measure fugitive emissions. Founded in 2006, Bridger Photonics is based in Bozeman, Montana. It is making waves in the industry, using laser light to determine the distance to an object (topographic LiDAR) or remotely detecting a gas or cloud (atmospheric LiDAR). Bridger Photonics’ innovative Gas Mapping LiDAR detects, locates, and quantifies methane emissions, providing actionable data that makes emissions reduction simple.
This summer, Bridger Photonics contracted with Phillips 66 to use laser-based technology to detect methane emissions across four states. Bridger uses sensors attached to small aircraft to scan natural gas infrastructure, including pipelines for methane leaks. Phillips 66 is currently using Bridger’s technology in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.
A new peer-reviewed publication by emissions researchers at Bridger Photonics has been published in Environmental Science and Technology. This study fills in a large portion of the distribution of emission rates observed from the Permian Basin oil and gas production infrastructure that had not previously been directly measured at scale.1
The biggest takeaway from this report is that “Mid-range emission rates (3- 300 kg/hr) are much more common than previously reported.” Bridger Photonics found that despite their smaller individual emission rates, mid-range (and smaller) emission sources below the previously measured full detection limit (FDL) of less than 600 kg/hr are so common that they contribute a majority of the total cumulative emission rate.
The bottom line is that previous tests and current standards significantly underestimate emission rate totals. The summary posted on Bridger’s website states that “Understanding the true prevalence of emission sources from large to small is essential to inform emissions measurement campaigns and build efficient and effective mitigation strategies.”
With its advancement in technology providing more accurate measurements of fugitive emissions, Bridger Photonics is leading the way and speaking out to provide recommendations for how new rules should be written and implemented. Most notable is the push to incorporate leak detection performance requirements defined by an emission rate detection sensitivity instead of gas concentration units. Effectively, Bridger Photonics is observing that with the ability to measure and pinpoint emission leak rates at more precise levels, new standards can be implemented to greatly reduce the overall impact of fugitive emissions.
Advancements in Fugitive Emission Remediation
ʽShavings make a pile,’ is a personal favorite quote from a former colleague. The idea that daily actions and little wins lead to achieving our quarterly sales goals can also be applied here in a fugitive emissions conversation.
Suppose Bridger Photonics identifies and measures the total fugitive emissions footprint with greater precision. MagDrive Technologies is delivering a solution that eliminates all of those little “shavings” that make up the total fugitive emissions footprint.
Also based in Bozeman, Montana, MagDrive Technologies is a creator and leader in magnetic actuation for industrial valves. Magnetic actuation designs can be applied to most industrial valves, and work to contain fugitive emissions by sealing valve stems in a solid wall container, eliminating the leak path for process fluids and gasses. More than 60% of fugitive emissions can be traced back to small leaks from the valve stem in rising and quarter-turn valves. This leak source can now be completely eliminated from the fugitive emission equation by implementing magnetic actuation.
Technology advancements in magnetics, design, and manufacturing have led to the ability for operators to actuate valves through the solid wall design using a combination of proprietary gearing and magnetic arrays. The result is the generation of enough torque to operate valves of any size, style, or class. MagDrive is currently testing magnetic actuation in multiple environments and conducting monthly fugitive emissions measurements following a strict protocol developed by Bronson Pate, MagDrive’s VP of Operations and expert in LDAR processes.
In a live production environment, valves fitted with MagDrive’s product are operating alongside traditional valves. Following a predetermined protocol, a technician uses an Infrared camera by Sensia-Solutions and phx42 Flame Ionization Device by LDARtools to gather the data consistent with Method 21 and the proposed Appendix K requirements. MagDrive expects to publish testing results from multiple sites in the coming months after enough data has been collected and verified through a peer-review process.
Expectations are high for operators and environmental services teams. Recently, MagDrive reviewed the operations of multiple refineries and found that by implementing magnetically actuated valves to just 5% of the worst leaking valves in a plant, total fugitive emissions could be reduced by an astonishing 62%. Considering the reports published by Bridger Photonics, the installation of magnetic actuation to valves leaking at even a small rate could add up to a dramatic reduction in total emissions for all operators.
Technology and Innovation from Big Sky Country
Montana, often associated with its picturesque landscape and vast natural resources, is emerging as a leader in environmental technology. The state’s commitment to a clean and healthful environment is driving advancements in fugitive emissions detection and prevention.
Bridger Photonics and MagDrive Technologies, both Montana-based companies, are creating innovative solutions to tackle fugitive emissions with precision. Bridger Photonics’ LiDAR technology provides valuable insights into methane emissions, challenging existing emission rate estimates and advocating for more accurate standards. Meanwhile, MagDrive Technologies’ magnetic actuation for industrial valves is poised to significantly reduce fugitive emissions.
As the world moves closer to climate goals, Montana’s role in emissions reduction technology is poised to grow. The state’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty and fostering innovative solutions demonstrates that environmental sustainability and economic development can go hand in hand. Montana is not only a treasure for its landscape but also for its contributions to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Reference:
- https://www.bridgerphotonics.com/blog/key-takeaways-bridger-photonics-study-methane-emission-rate-distribution-permian-basin-oil-and
