California SB 1137 Compliance
As California’s SB 1137 goes into effect, oil and gas operators across the state are facing a new era of emissions accountability. This legislation creates Health Protection Zones (HPZs) around homes, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive sites—requiring operators to install enhanced emissions controls, including continuous methane monitoring systems.
In this article, we break down what California SB 1137 compliance means for operators, how to stay aligned with CARB methane monitoring standards, and how solutions like MethaneTrack™ support regulatory success.
What Is California SB 1137 and Who Must Comply?
Enacted in 2022, Senate Bill 1137 prohibits new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites and requires upgraded safety systems for existing wells within these Health Protection Zones. Operators are now legally obligated to:
- Implement continuous leak detection systems
- Submit a Leak Detection Response Plan (LDRP) to CalGEM
- Install emissions control technologies
- Report leak incidents and mitigation actions
- Conduct water and air quality testing near the site
The law is being enforced by CalGEM, with alignment to CARB’s methane monitoring standards—ensuring both public safety and emissions transparency.
What Are CARB’s Methane Monitoring Standards?
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) plays a key role in shaping the emissions rules that SB 1137 aligns with. CARB’s methane monitoring guidance requires:
- Real-time detection and alerting of methane concentrations
- Proven quantification accuracy for measured emissions
- Regular data logging, recordkeeping, and submission
- System robustness to environmental factors (heat, dust, wind)
Monitoring systems must be defensible, auditable, and capable of supporting reporting obligations under SB 1137 and other California climate initiatives.
Monitoring Approaches: Pros and Cons
To meet the continuous monitoring requirements of SB 1137, oil and gas operators must choose technologies that provide real-time detection, accuracy, and durability. Below are the primary solutions that meet those standards:
Close-proximity Wireless Sensor Networks
Distributed point sensors on or near emission sources (tanks, wellheads, hatches) that continuously monitor methane and report real-time data.
SB 1137 Compliant – Ideal for Health Protection Zones requiring precise, source-level detection.
Pros
- Real-time leak detection and quantification of methane
- Near-zero false alarms
- Battery-powered, wireless, redeployable
- Intrinsically safe; suitable for hazardous zones
- Low maintenance and scalable
- Highly robust (–40°C to 75°C, 100% RH)
Cons
- Localized asset detection; full site coverage requires strategic placement
- Requires planning for sensor network density
Fenceline Laser-Based Spectroscopy
Photoacoustic or open-path tunable diode laser sensors installed on site perimeters to detect gas plumes via laser absorption techniques.
Conditionally Compliant – Must be paired with onsite confirmation protocols. Appropriate for sites in locations within environmental range.
Pros
- High sensitivity due to bright laser diode source
- Better humidity rejection than NDIR sensors
- More predictable degradation profile than traditional sensors
- Can quantify methane leaks
- Battery-powered, wireless
Cons
- Narrow environmental temperature range -20°C – 50°C as laser diodes are sensitive to heat/cold
- Trade-off between response speed and absolute sensitivity
- Not intrinsically safe — limited to non-hazardous zones like fencelines
- Requires human verification of leak events; potential false positives
- Requires periodic maintenance by trained technicians
Fixed Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) Cameras Using Infrared (IR) Sensor Technology
Thermal cameras with continuous video streaming and analytics to visually detect hydrocarbon plumes.
Conditionally Compliant – Appropriate for sites in locations within environmental range.
Pros
- Visual leak confirmation of methane
- Intrinsically safe; suitable for hazardous zones
Cons
- Might require secondary methods for reliable quantification
- Requires wired installation
- Initial camera cost is expensive
- Reduced effectiveness in fog, rain, or low thermal contrast
- Some cameras do not detect methane at night
- Limited temperature and humidity range (-20°C to 50°C at 95% RH)
- Susceptible to mirror corrosion and environmental wear and calibration drift over time
- Requires regular maintenance by trained technicians
How MethaneTrack™ Helps You Comply with SB 1137
NevadaNano’s MethaneTrack™ is an advanced, automated continuous methane monitoring system using close-proximity wireless sensors that is built for rapid deployment and designed specifically for regulations like California SB 1137.
Key Features:
- Close-proximity, wireless sensors with 5-year battery life
- Quick installation and no maintenance features
- Wide operating range (–40°C to 75°C, 100% RH); corrosion, dust, and moisture resistant
- Real-time, highly accurate detection of methane at leak rates smaller than 0.1kg/h to 100+ kg/h
- Configurable alerts for fast Leak Detection Response Plan (LDRP) activation
- Compliant with CARB methane monitoring standards
- Secure data logging and reporting portal
Whether in remote oilfields or Health Protection Zones, MethaneTrack™ delivers scalable, SB 1137-compliant monitoring—empowering operators to detect, prioritize, and respond to emissions events before they escalate.
Meeting SB 1137 with Confidence
As enforcement of California SB 1137 begins, oil and gas operators must take proactive steps to safeguard nearby communities and ensure compliance with strict emissions rules. With CARB methane monitoring standards setting the bar for defensibility and responsiveness, only continuous, site-specific monitoring technologies can meet the demands of this regulation. Solutions like MethaneTrack™ offer a proven, scalable way to achieve continuous methane monitoring in California, helping operators stay ahead of compliance deadlines while demonstrating leadership in safety, sustainability, and public trust.
Independent Test Results: MethaneTrack™ Outperforms Traditional Monitoring Systems
Recent independent testing through the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) Program, operated by Tourmaline Oil Corp in partnership with 360 Engineering & Environmental, confirmed that MethaneTrack™ delivers superior emissions detection performance.
