The Importance of LDAR Programs

Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs are critical for safe, cost-effective operations. Traditional methods rely on scheduled inspections using Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) or Audio-Visual-Olfactory (AVO) surveys. While these are effective for capturing emissions in the moment, they provide only a snapshot—and often miss intermittent leaks. Most methane emissions occur intermittently, making continuous monitoring an essential complement to traditional LDAR.

With Qube Technologies’ EPA-approved Continuous Monitoring Solution, operators can detect leaks in real time, respond quickly, and reduce reliance on periodic inspections. Live emissions data powers smarter maintenance, ensures regulatory compliance, and improves environmental performance.

The Limitations of Traditional LDAR

Traditional LDAR methods provide valuable insights but only in snapshots. Since inspections are periodic, they often miss short-lived, high-impact leaks. These emissions can persist undetected between inspections, increasing environmental risk and driving up repair costs. Operators relying solely on scheduled OGI and AVO surveys may struggle to keep pace with evolving regulations – ultimately falling behind industry best practices.

Continuous monitoring addresses this gap with real-time detection and immediate leak notifications. With Qube’s EPA-approved solution, operators now have a monitoring alternative that supplements – and in some cases replaces – traditional inspections (Fig. 1).

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Figure 1. The intermittent behavior of emissions means that they can be missed by periodic inspections (a). Supplementing OGI inspections with continuous monitoring closes the detection gap (b).

Qube’s system provides 24/7 emissions visibility so operators can act faster and more effectively. This reduces repair costs and limits methane emissions. With evolving regulations and increased third-party scrutiny, operators need to act before others do. Continuous monitoring helps them stay ahead by supporting EPA compliance and reducing the risk of fines or reputational damage.

Qube Technologies EPA-approved to replace LDAR

Qube is the first point-source continuous monitoring technology approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fully replace AVO and OGI inspections. This approval applies under OOOOa, OOOOb, and the pending OOOOc methane regulations. Operators now have a more effective way to comply with emissions regulations while gaining real-time insight into site-level emissions.

How Qube’s Continuous Monitoring Works

Qube’s system is built around through three core components:

  1. Sensor Networks use metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors, which are an economical and reliable method to measure methane concentrations and environmental conditions. Each device can house up to five sensors including CH4, H2S, CO, NH3, and VOCs.
  2. Cloud-Based Analytics process sensor data using physics-based Gaussian Plume Models to localize emission sources.
  3. Web-Based Dashboard delivers real-time alarms, tracks emission trends, and logs maintenance activity for seamless regulatory reporting. 

Together, these tools enable fast, accurate detection and ensure operators stay compliant.

Deploying a Continuous Monitoring System

Deploying a continuous monitoring system requires a customized approach that considers the unique characteristics of each site. Several factors must be assessed, including the size and layout of the facility, the location of potential emission sources such as tanks, compressors, and flares, and local wind patterns that may influence detection accuracy. Proper placement of sensors is critical to avoiding obstructions and interference from routine operations (Fig. 2). Additionally, operators must balance their monitoring needs with budget considerations to ensure cost-effective coverage. By carefully planning deployment, continuous monitoring can be optimized to deliver maximum effectiveness in detecting and managing emissions.

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Figure 2. Qube’s intuitive dashboard provides the functionality to tailor continuous monitoring deployment including site analysis, source identification, impact analysis and device budget.

Integrating Continuous Monitoring into LDAR Workflows

Integrating continuous monitoring into an LDAR workflow follows a structured process. The first step involves defining the site boundaries and geolocating emission sources to ensure complete coverage. The next step requires integrating wind data, which can be sourced from public databases or collected directly on-site, to enhance the accuracy of emissions detection. Budget considerations play a crucial role, as operators must determine the optimal number of sensors to deploy within financial constraints. Finally, regulatory reporting is streamlined by automatically logging emissions data, which simplifies compliance documentation and ensures adherence to industry standards. Figure 3 demonstrates a typical leak detection workflow with an integrated continuous monitoring solution.

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Figure 3. General continuous monitoring-directed leak detection alarm workflow. The green activities are managed by the continuous monitoring solution while the blue activities are managed by the operator.

Visualizing Emissions with Qube’s Dashboard

Qube Technologies offers a web-based platform that provides an intuitive interface for visualizing emissions. The dashboard includes plume simulation features that allow operators to recreate real-time and historical emissions plumes based on sensor data. Emission categorization ranks leaks by severity, source type, and location, enabling operators to prioritize the most critical issues. Additionally, an alarm prioritization system ranks leaks based on emission rate and duration, ensuring that the most pressing concerns are addressed first. This visualization capability significantly enhances an operator’s ability to monitor, analyze, and mitigate emissions effectively (Fig. 4).

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Figure 4. Qube’s interactive dashboard provides the abilities to: i) Upload your third-party data including KLM files and OGI surveys; ii) Visualize and simulate plumes iv) Emission category and source and track alarms including any attached comments.

The Future of LDAR: Continuous Monitoring

EPA-approved continuous monitoring represents the future of LDAR programs, providing a cost-effective, regulatory-compliant, and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional inspection methods. By implementing Qube’s solution, operators can achieve significant reductions in emissions, improve regulatory compliance, and optimize maintenance efforts through real-time data analysis. For operators looking to modernize their LDAR programs, continuous monitoring offers a transformative approach that enhances efficiency, accuracy, and environmental responsibility.

Those interested in deploying this technology can contact Qube Technologies to learn more about how continuous monitoring can be tailored to their specific operational needs.