Event Details:
Arvind Ravikumar of Harrisburg University speaking on the results of his wide-ranging research in the assessment of methane emissions detection and mitigation technologies and opportunities for their impactful deployment.
Abstract
The focus of international and domestic regulators and investors has sharply turned to the issue of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Recently, France delayed a potential deal to buy US LNG because of concerns over high methane leakage in the Permian basin. In this context, new technologies such as satellites and drones and continuous monitoring systems promise faster and cheaper detection of methane emissions. Despite several recent studies, none of the new approaches have been approved by regulators for use in leak detection and repair programs. Why is that? In this talk, I’ll describe results from recent field campaigns of new technologies at producing oil and gas sites and use modeling to demonstrate the role for these new technologies in emissions mitigation. I will conclude with a discussion on what this means for future methane policy.
Bio
Prof. Ravikumar directs the Sustainable Energy Development Lab at Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania. His group examines the future of oil and gas resources in a carbon constrained world, and studies equitable energy transition pathways in developing countries. He routinely collaborates with US and international regulatory agencies, NGOs, grassroots organizations, and businesses to advance effective solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.