Recently, ecko360 was approached by a major oil and gas company facing a significant challenge. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had fined them for a gas leak at one of their facilities along the Louisiana coast. While the company had addressed the issue, they needed to verify that the repair was effective and confirm the absence of other potential leaks across multiple facilities. This is where our Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) expertise came into play.
The Call for OGI Gas Detection
When the company contacted us, their immediate concern was ensuring compliance with EPA standards and avoiding future penalties. They requested that we deploy our OGI technology to inspect four of their facilities. OGI is one of the most reliable methods for detecting gas leaks, offering the advantage of identifying emissions that would otherwise remain invisible to the naked eye. Our team’s mission: verify the repair of the leak cited by the EPA and provide a thorough inspection of all four facilities for any additional leaks.
Efficiency Across Multiple Facilities
Time was of the essence, and our experienced pilots and technicians were prepared. We deployed our OGI-equipped drones to each of the four facilities, spread across the Louisiana coast, completing inspections at an impressive rate. Each facility took an average of just one hour to survey, allowing us to complete all four facilities in only two days.
Despite the complex nature of gas leak detection, especially in sprawling industrial environments, we quickly confirmed that the original leak cited by the EPA had been properly repaired. This allowed the client to confidently report compliance to the EPA.
Identifying Nine Additional Leaks
But the story didn’t end there. During our comprehensive sweeps of the facilities, we uncovered nine additional leaks that had gone undetected by the EPA’s inspection. These findings were crucial, not only from a safety and environmental perspective but also for the company’s regulatory compliance. Had these leaks gone unnoticed, the company might have faced future fines or safety hazards. Our detailed reporting gave them the actionable data they needed to address the issues swiftly.
The Value of Proactive Monitoring
This case underscores the importance of proactive, thorough monitoring using advanced technologies like OGI. While government regulators like the EPA perform valuable oversight, their inspections may not catch every issue. With ecko360's state-of-the-art drone technology and skilled operators, we offer a higher level of precision and insight, helping companies stay ahead of regulatory requirements while also maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Conclusion
At ecko360, we take pride in delivering results that not only save our clients time and money but also ensure they’re operating within safety and environmental standards. In this instance, our ability to fly and inspect four facilities in just two days, while identifying nine additional leaks, demonstrates the speed and accuracy of our OGI services. For oil and gas companies navigating the complex world of environmental compliance, these capabilities are more critical than ever.
If you need help ensuring that your facilities are operating safely and within regulatory guidelines, contact us today to learn how our drone-based OGI technology can provide you with the data you need to stay compliant.
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