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Bridger Photonics, a leader among LiDAR technology companies, has launched the second generation of Gas Mapping LiDAR™ sensor, GML 2.0. The company has released Gas Mapping LiDAR commercially three years ago. Those years of commercial deployments and listening and working with clients to better understand their challenges have taught Bridger how to enhance its sensor system to work even better for the clients. With the second-generation sensor, the company has made considerable strides to improve Gas Mapping LiDAR in several areas.
Methane Detection Sensitivity Improvements
While Bridger already operates with some of the best aerial detection sensitivity in the industry, it wanted to continue to refine its capabilities. Bridger worked closely with its partners and clients in the oil and gas industry to determine the detection sensitivity needs of each sector.
For the production sector, more sensitivity isn’t needed since Bridger already catches over 90% of emissions in typical basins. This detection sensitivity allows for a reasonable level of repairs for operators to address efficiently and effectively. However, the improved GML 2.0 sensitivity will allow achieving its production sector sensitivity under a broader range of operational and environmental conditions.
More sensitive detection capabilities are useful within the distribution sector and for catching abandoned or orphaned wells, Bridger is now testing to determine the probability of detection that the GML 2.0 sensor will achieve for methane emission sources at 0.2 kg/hr under typical conditions. Confident detection of emission sources at this benchmark level is important for uncovering Grade 1 leaks in urban gas distribution networks, and for uncovering the high-emitting abandoned wells for plugging.
Easier Attachment for Streamlined Aerial Deployment
The first-generation Gas Mapping LiDAR attaches to the belly of the aircraft. To reduce the installation time and streamline pre-flight calibrations and checks performed by flight providers, GML 2.0 now attaches to the strut of the aircraft. All this means a streamlined process for flight providers to receive, secure onto the aircraft, and verify the performance of our sensors which means more time flying!
Improved Manufacturability
The final improvement Bridger implemented in GML 2.0 was to improve the manufacturability. All Gas Mapping LiDAR sensors are manufactured at its headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. Its small but mighty hardware team learned a lot when building and fielding the first-generation sensors. With this valuable learning under its belts, Bridger designed the GML 2.0 sensors for extremely efficient manufacturing to meet the massive ramp-up in demand it is experiencing. Each one of the sensors can scan tens of thousands of sites per year.
Click here to know more about first-generation aerial gas mapping LiDAR technology.