Low-Cost Sensors Provide Insight into Temporal Variation in Fugitive Methane Gas Concentrations Around an Energy Well

Abstract

Summary Effective measurement of the presence and rate of methane gas migration (GM) outside the casing of energy wells is important for managing social and environmental impacts and financial liabilities in the upstream petroleum industry. Practitioners typically assess GM by above-background methane gas concentrations in-soil or at-grade; however, factors influencing the potential variation in these measurements are not well represented in industry-recommended best practices. Inexpensive chemoresistive sensors were used to record a 1-minute frequency methane gas concentration time series over 19 days. Time series were recorded at three soil depths (0, 5, and 30 cm) at two locations <30 mcm radially from a petroleum well with known GM, in addition to two “control” locations. Observed concentration variations ranged over several orders of magnitude at all depths, with generally lower concentrations and more variation observed at shallower depths. Varying concentrations were correlated to meteorological factors, primarily including wind speed and shallow groundwater table elevation. The gas concentration patterns were affected by a 3.5-mm rainfall event, suggesting soil moisture changes affected preferential GM pathways. Results indicate potential variability in repeated snapshot GM test results. Although, currently recommended GM detection methods would have effectively identified the presence/absence of GM, they would not have quantified the order of magnitude changes in concentration. GM detection success at this site was increased with measurement at more than one location spatially within 30 cm of the well casing, lower concentration detection limits, and greater measurement depth. These findings indicate that meteorological factors should be considered when conducting GM surveys (particularly for improving at-grade test reliability). The low-cost approach for long-term concentration measurement facilitates insight into variable gas concentrations and may be advantageous in comparison to snapshot measurements in some circumstances.