Improved monitoring of methane emissions for the oil and gas sector with Sentinel-2 satellite observations

Accurate and timely monitoring of methane emissions is essential for mitigating the impacts of greenhouse gases, particularly in remote regions lacking on-land sensors. Traditional satellite-based methods for detecting methane often encounter challenges due to coarse spatial resolutions and spectral interferences, especially in areas with mixed land use and numerous inland water bodies. One example is the Sentinel-5P satellite, which is extensively utilized for monitoring air quality and global greenhouse gas concentrations. Our study identified significant gaps in the coverage of Sentinel-5P imagery in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, home to the world’s third largest oil reserve, highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring solutions. To address these limitations, we introduce the Median-Based Multi-Reference (MBMR) algorithm for methane retrieval, designed for Sentinel-2’s shortwave infrared (SWIR) imagery. The MBMR algorithm takes into account surface albedo variability, local greenhouse gas concentrations, and improved reference scene selection to enhance the accuracy of plume detection. Performance evaluations using simulated methane plume datasets and controlled methane release experiments demonstrate that MBMR outperforms both baseline methods and existing state-of-the-art algorithms. When applied to actual methane leaks from the NGTL pipeline system and Syncrude’s bitumen upgrader in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, MBMR showcased its robust capability to identify methane plumes amidst complex landscapes and diverse emissions scenarios. The successful integration of MBMR with Sentinel-2 imagery, which is primarily used for land cover mapping, vegetation and water indexing, harvesting planning, and disaster response, highlights its potential as a reliable and cost-effective tool for continuous monitoring of methane emissions in challenging environments. • We introduce a satellite plume detection method, Median-Based Multi-Reference (MBMR). • MBMR’s design accounts for complex landscapes and local atmospheric interference. • We test MBMR on controlled methane-release experiments and real-world leak cases. • MBMR identifies and quantifies methane leaks at oil and gas facilities and pipelines. • Industry and regulatory bodies can benefit from MBMR’s greater monitoring capability.