Asset Integrity Engineering (AIE): An Innovative and Structured Approach to Methane Emissions Monitoring and Reduction

Asset Integrity Engineering (AIE) is supporting oil and gas operators with their emission reduction efforts. AIE’s staged approach incorporates technical guidance developed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) to assess nine core methane emission sources. Using its proprietary Veracity software, AIE identifies areas with significant methane emissions through desktop screening of the facilities and creates inspection plans that use optimized infrared (IR) imaging to validate leaks. Once methane emissions are validated through inspection, the team develops and implements an action plan for emissions reduction and monitoring. Currently, AIE supports oil and gas facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and intends to expand the use of this approach globally.

AIE’s Staged Approach to Methane Emission Reductions

AIE’s staged approach consists of four stages, as described below. Sample tables and charts that are used during each stage are provided as examples.

In the Desktop Screening stage, AIE conducts a study of the facility to evaluate the presence of nine core methane emission sources with reference to the OGMP technical guidance documents, quantify the facility’s potential methane emissions, and generate an IR imaging inspection plan based on system criticality.

Example: Identification of Nine Core Elements

Core Emission Source	Identified (✓/✗)
Natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers and pumps	✗
Fugitive component and equipment leaks	✓
Centrifugal compressors with “wet” (oil) seals	✓
Reciprocating compressors rod seal/packing vents	✓
Glycol dehydrators	✓
Unstabilized hydrocarbon liquid storage tanks	✗
Well venting for liquids unloading	✓
Well venting/flaring during well completion for hydraulically fractured gas	✗
Casinghead gas venting	✗

Example: Quantification of Potential Emissions

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Example: Ranking of Criticality of Systems

System	Pressure Score	Degradation Score	Methane Content Score	Criticality Score	Inspection Frequency (Months)
Inlet Coolers & Separators	2	2	3	12	36
Inlet Compression	3	2	3	18	12
Molecular Sieve System	3	2	3	18	12
LPG Plant	3	2	2	12	36
Condensate Plant	2	2	1	4	Opportunity Based
Amine Plant	2	2	2	8	Opportunity Based
Sales Gas	3	2	3	18	12
Propane Treater	2	2	1	4	Opportunity Based
Hot Oil System	1	2	0	0	Not Required
Reinjection System	3	2	3	18	12
Fuel Gas System	2	2	3	12	36
Flare Header System	1	2	2	4	Opportunity Based
LPG Terminal	2	2	1	4	Opportunity Based
Condensate Terminal	2	2	1	4	Opportunity Based
Field Manifolds and Pipeline Networks	2	2	2	8	Opportunity Based
Field-1	2	2	2	8	Opportunity Based
Field-2	2	2	2	8	Opportunity Based
Full Field Compression	2	2	2	8	Opportunity Based

During the Site Validation stage, AIE implements the IR imaging inspection plan and determines the actual methane emission rates. During this stage, AIE uses quantifications to verify and update estimates made during the Desktop Screening stage.

Example: IR Imaging of Leaks

In the Action Plan Development stage, AIE identifies and selects mitigation actions based on a cost-benefit analysis.

Example: Validated Emission Reduction Opportunities and Costs