OGI surveying requirements continue to tighten, prompting operators to explore solutions that ensure compliance without adding operational workload or increasing OpEx. Percepto drones with OGI payloads recently completed rigorous testing at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC), delivering consistent results down to 0.1 kg/hr at a 90% probability.
Percepto is now advancing to real-world trials and preparing to submit results for EPA approval as an Alternative Test Method (ATM). Technologies approved under the ATM must be able to detect emissions at a rate of 1kg/hr, well above our METEC test results. Once approved, operators will be able to manage emissions surveys remotely, with a solution that scales and provides OpEx certainty no matter which direction EPA regulations go.
METEC testing: key takeaways
The METEC facility at Colorado State University replicates real-world upstream methane emissions, offering a controlled testing environment with over 200 adjustable emission points.
Results at a glance:
- Detected emissions down to 0.1 kg/hr in laboratory conditions that mimic operational challenges, such as varying wind speeds, altitudes, and temperature gradients.
- Consistent performance in identifying small leaks, minimizing the likelihood of large emissions and loss of product.
- Reliable data collection and repeatability across diverse environmental scenarios.
For teams managing methane compliance across large regions, these results demonstrate the technology’s capability to handle complex, real-world conditions with precision and consistency.
Percepto Air Max OGI flying over METEC facility
Why it matters: scaling OGI compliance without stretching resources
Meeting EPA OOOO requirements has until now meant sending LDAR teams out to remote sites, spending valuable time on the road while managing manual inspections. For operators managing thousands of assets, especially in regions like the Permian, this process strains resources and limits scalability.
What this approval unlocks:
- Streamlined inspections: Conduct OGI surveys remotely using drones with OGI payloads, reducing driving time and & ensuring field operators are more prepared for onsite maintenance.
- Operational risk reduction: Optimize maintenance routes and reduce unnecessary site visits with unmanned OGI surveying.
- Scalability: Once EPA ATM approval is achieved, one operator will be able to oversee OGI surveying from one remote control center, significantly expanding coverage without increasing operational burden.
- Practical compliance: In addition to efficiency and scalability benefits, running OOOO surveys using approved technologies requires detection of emissions at a rate of 1kg/hr.
Percepto remote operations at a downstream facility
Next steps for 2025 EPA approval
With successful METEC testing complete, Percepto is moving forward with real-world field trials to validate system performance under live operational conditions. Together with the METEC results, the in-field results will form the basis of the EPA submission process for ATM certification, targeted for 2025.
For operators tasked with ensuring compliance at scale, this technology offers a clear, practical path forward. By reducing manual processes, streamlining inspections, and cutting travel time, automated OGI solutions deliver the efficiency needed to keep pace with evolving EPA requirements.
To understand how this can fit into your operations or discuss next steps for scaling OGI surveys, connect with our team.
