This article is part of our OGMP 2.0 Educational Series
View all the articles
- What Is OGMP 2.0?
- What Is a Methane Baseline?
- LDAR Programs for OGMP 2.0
- Operational vs. Fugitive Emissions
- Methane Quantification: Why It Matters
- Continuous Monitoring vs. Periodic Surveys
- What Are Fugitive Emissions?
- How to Detect Fugitive Emissions
- Upstream Methane Emissions Sources
- What Are Vented Emissions?
- Understanding Incomplete Combustion Emissions
- Achieving OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard
LDAR for OGMP 2.0
As the oil and gas industry faces mounting pressure to reduce methane emissions, LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) programs are under the spotlight—especially in the context of OGMP 2.0 and new EU methane regulations. In this article, we explore how LDAR fits into the OGMP framework, what compliance means in the European market, and how detection technologies are evolving. This article is part of our OGMP 2.0 Educational Series, including an in-depth guide on Achieving OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard.
What is LDAR?
LDAR stands for Leak Detection and Repair, a structured program designed to identify and mitigate unintentional methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Traditional LDAR relies on periodic inspections using handheld devices or optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras to detect leaks from equipment like valves, flanges, tanks, and pipelines.
While LDAR has long been a regulatory requirement, evolving standards such as OGMP 2.0 and new EU methane compliance measures demand more rigorous, transparent, and continuous approaches to emissions monitoring. For more background on these standards, read: What Is OGMP 2.0?
OGMP 2.0 and LDAR: Raising the Bar
OGMP 2.0, developed by the United Nations Environment Programme and major energy stakeholders, establishes a clear framework for methane emissions reporting. Companies participating in OGMP 2.0 are expected to achieve increasingly accurate and comprehensive emissions data, moving from broad estimates to direct measurements.
For LDAR programs, OGMP 2.0 introduces several key expectations:
- Level 3: Site-level emissions reporting using periodic surveys and measurement-based approaches, such as traditional LDAR. Learn more about these techniques in the article: Continuous Monitoring vs. Periodic Surveys.
- Level 4 and Level 5: Comprehensive quantification of methane emissions using continuous monitoring technologies and advanced leak detection systems. This often includes direct measurement and detailed activity/emission factor reporting—explored further in Methane Quantification: Why It Matters.
To align with OGMP 2.0, operators must evolve beyond basic LDAR and integrate higher-frequency monitoring, continuous emissions detection, and robust data reporting.
EU Methane Compliance: The Next Step
The European Union’s Methane Strategy and supporting regulations are rapidly transforming methane management. With new rules expected to enforce stricter requirements on upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, LDAR OGMP alignment is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Under proposed EU regulations:
- Regular LDAR inspections will be mandated across oil and gas infrastructure.
- High-risk assets, such as tanks, pipelines, and compressor stations, will require more frequent surveys or continuous monitoring.
- Operators will need to demonstrate OGMP 2.0 alignment, particularly for sites operating in or supplying to the European market.
For more on emissions types and source categorization, see Operational vs. Fugitive Emissions.
Continuous Monitoring vs. Periodic Surveys
There are two main approaches operators can use to meet evolving LDAR and methane compliance requirements: Periodic Surveys and Continuous Monitoring. Each has strengths and limitations, and selecting the right approach depends on site-specific risk factors, regulatory requirements, and operational goals.
Periodic Surveys
This traditional LDAR method uses mobile technologies and scheduled inspections to detect leaks:
- Optical Gas Imaging (OGI): Handheld infrared cameras visualize methane leaks during scheduled surveys.
- Handheld Detectors: Portable gas analyzers or sniffers used to identify leaks at close range.
- Mobile or Drone-Based Inspections: Platforms equipped with sensors survey larger areas or hard-to-access sites.
- Satellite Monitoring: Tracks large-scale emissions, though spatial and temporal resolution may limit detection of smaller leaks.
While periodic surveys are effective at detecting leaks present during inspections, they may miss intermittent or short-duration emissions, especially between scheduled visits.
Continuous Monitoring
For higher-risk sites or operators pursuing OGMP 2.0 Level 4 or Level 5 reporting, continuous monitoring provides ongoing visibility:
- Close-proximity, Continuous Monitoring Sensors: Wireless, intrinsically safe devices placed on or near emission sources, offering real-time, continuous methane detection and quantification.
- Continuous Fence-Line Systems: Installed around a site perimeter, detecting methane concentrations from off-site or diffuse sources.
- Laser Fenceline Monitoring: Provides perimeter-based detection by sending a laser beam across a fixed path to measure methane concentrations.
- Fixed OGI Cameras: Uses thermal imaging to visually detect methane leaks in real time.
By providing continuous data, these technologies improve the detection of intermittent emissions and support more accurate site-level quantification required under OGMP 2.0.
For a deeper comparison of the two approaches, visit Continuous Methane Monitoring vs. Periodic Surveys.
Conclusion: What Operators Need to Do
Meeting LDAR OGMP requirements and achieving EU methane compliance requires:
- Evaluating current LDAR programs for alignment with OGMP 2.0
- Determining the appropriate mix of periodic surveys and continuous monitoring based on site risk
- Leveraging technologies that provide real-time data, leak quantification, and automated reporting
- Preparing for stricter EU methane regulations by exceeding minimum compliance now
Methane emissions reduction is both an environmental responsibility and a competitive advantage. By implementing advanced LDAR strategies and aligning with OGMP 2.0, operators can enhance compliance, reduce emissions, and demonstrate leadership in the global energy transition.
Want the complete roadmap to OGMP compliance—from Level 1 to Gold Standard?
Achieving OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard Reporting
Read our guide Achieving OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard Reporting to learn the step-by-step framework, best practices, and technology insights you need to progress through every compliance level with confidence.
