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
What is a Methane Emissions Baseline?
As oil and gas companies work to meet new methane regulations and climate goals, one foundational step becomes essential: establishing a methane emissions baseline. This baseline provides a benchmark for evaluating progress, identifying high-emitting assets, and measuring the impact of mitigation strategies over time.
A well-documented methane emissions baseline is also a core component of OGMP 2.0 compliance. Companies pursuing Level 4 and Level 5 reporting must demonstrate how emissions today compare to historical data and modeled estimates.
Why Baselines Matter for Methane Management
A methane emissions baseline is a quantified estimate of emissions across a facility, asset, or portfolio during a defined timeframe. It enables operators to:
- Track methane reduction progress over time
- Identify sites or equipment with disproportionately high emissions
- Inform investment and maintenance decisions
- Comply with voluntary frameworks like OGMP 2.0 or regulatory mandates such as the EU Methane Strategy
By grounding emissions management in measurable data, baselines support better operational decisions and more credible emissions reporting.
For a breakdown of key emissions categories, see: Operational vs. Fugitive Emissions.
How to Establish a Methane Emissions Baseline
Creating a reliable methane emissions baseline involves several steps:
- Define Scope and Timeframe: Determine which assets, regions, or equipment types to include and set a timeframe that aligns with regulatory or reporting frameworks.
- Collect Historical Data: Use existing engineering estimates, process models, or past measurement campaigns to establish an initial estimate.
- Conduct Site-Level Measurements: Supplement estimates with direct methane measurements using technologies like OGI, drone-based sensors, or a network of fixed wireless sensors for continuous emissions monitoring.
- Integrate and Reconcile Data: Combine all sources into a centralized platform that allows for validation, cross-checking, and transparent inventory development.
- Document Methodologies: Clearly define assumptions, tools used, and any data gaps. This is crucial for OGMP 2.0 Level 4 and 5 documentation and third-party verification. For more on why quantification is essential to this process, see: Methane Quantification: Why It Matters.
For more on OGMP reporting levels and how baselines fit in, see: What Is OGMP 2.0?
Tools That Support Baseline Development
The OGMP 2.0 framework encourages operators to use a combination of measurement and estimation tools to establish a credible methane emissions baseline. This can involve a combination of techniques, including direct measurements (using sensors, cameras, etc.) and indirect methods (emission factors and activity data). Examples include:
- Ground-based measurements: These include instruments like handheld infrared gas imaging cameras (OGI) to visualize leaks, continuous monitoring systems (CMMS) for real-time data, and specialized devices like high flow samplers (HFS) for quantifying emissions from specific sources.
- Airborne measurements: This category utilizes drones and airplanes equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to detect and quantify emissions over larger areas, often more quickly and safely than ground-based methods.
- Space-based measurements: Satellite technology provides a global perspective on methane emissions, useful for identifying larger plumes and monitoring remote areas.
- Process Modeling and Emission Factor Methods: Engineering estimates and modeled scenarios used to supplement measurement data, especially where direct measurement is not possible.
Benefits of Continuous Monitoring Systems for Methane Emissions Baseline Measurement
Continuous Monitoring Systems (CMS) offer unique advantages when establishing a methane emissions baseline — but not all CMS are created equal. Different technologies vary in detection sensitivity, coverage area, and ability to localize and quantify emissions.
Modern methane monitoring platforms like MethaneTrack™ bring specific strengths to baseline measurement:
- Close-Proximity Continuous Monitoring™ provides real-time data from wireless, intrinsically safe endpoints mounted directly on or near potential leak sources.
- Accurate Quantification of Methane Emissions with Leak Source Isolation™ technology that automates the quantification process.
- Multi-level Emissions Visibility allows emissions tracking from the enterprise level down to individual assets, enabling reconciliation of multiple data sources into a unified emissions record.
- Regulatory-Ready Reporting simplifies alignment with OGMP 2.0, the EU Methane Regulation, and other compliance frameworks.
To learn more about the benefits of continuous methane monitoring, read: Continuous Methane Monitoring vs. Periodic Surveys.
Maintaining and Updating Your Baseline
An emissions baseline is not a one-time task. Operators should revisit and update baselines regularly as:
- New measurement technologies become available
- Assets are added, retired, or modified
- More accurate data replaces earlier estimates
- Regulations evolve and require revised methodologies
Keeping the baseline current ensures your emissions data reflects real-world performance and remains credible for reporting purposes.
Baselines Are the Bedrock of Methane Strategy
For upstream, midstream, and downstream operators alike, building and maintaining a methane emissions baseline is essential to achieving compliance and reducing climate impact. With the right strategy and technology, operators can establish a strong foundation for OGMP 2.0 success.
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.
