Remote methane emissions monitoring over Direct to Cellular satellite
RIVIR manufactures the world’s first industrial grade IoT gateways for Starlink's new D2C low earth orbit satellite network. These easily integrated satellite IoT data gateways enable low cost remote monitoring of industrial assets, machines, processes and environmental impacts including methane emissions.
Direct to Cellular (D2C) satellites connecting upstream and midstream sites
Methane emission and leak sensor monitoring over satellite
The global energy sector is deploying satellite enabled methane emissions monitoring systems at remote locations beyond terrestrial cellular to ensure compliance with methane reduction regulations and the avoidance of fines and market access penalties.
Monitoring of remote compressors, VRUs and pneumatics over satellite
Gas compressors, VRUs (vapour recovery units) and well site pneumatic systems can all be sources of methane leakage. RIVIR supports the near real time monitoring of the performance and condition of these assets at remote sites over satellite to improve maintenance and eliminate.
Flare monitoring over satellite
Inefficient gas flaring is a significant source of unburned methane. Monitoring the performance of flares at wells and other sites in the oil and gas field is critical to eliminating methane emissions and meeting COP28 methane commitments.
Fugitive emissions monitoring
Irregular fugitive emissions and leaks of methane from storage tanks, pipelines, wells, or other pieces of equipment must be monitored and controlled to achieve compliance with regulations. RIVIR’s D2C satellite gateways enable low cost monitoring of fugitive emissions at remote sites beyond cellular networks.
White Paper
Request a copy of our white paper exploring the potential of new, direct to cell (D2C) satellite networks to help the onshore energy sector meet its dramatic new international methane emission reduction targets with the help of RIVIR’s unique satellite IoT gateway technology.
The role of LEO cellular satellite in eliminating global methane emissions
Connecting remote methane sensors to satellite
Methane is an 80 times more powerful GHG (greenhouse gas) than CO₂. In November 2023, 150 countries and 50 energy companies pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 and entirely by 2050.
Connecting remote methane sensors to satellite
The global energy sector is deploying satellite enabled methane emissions monitoring systems at remote locations to ensure compliance, avoid fines and to meet global targets.
Improving condition-based maintenance of remote energy assets
The upstream and midstream energy sector is monitoring assets including VRUs (vapour recover units), storage tanks, thief hatches, compressors and LACT skids to reduce methane emissions through improved operation and condition-based maintenance.
Improving methane monitoring system resilience
The Achilles Heel of terrestrial cellular networks for emissions monitoring, is their vulnerability to the same terrestrial events that could damage upstream oil and gas assets to cause emissions. By moving asset and methane sensor monitoring to satellite, energy companies are making their methane reduction systems immune to storms and grid outages.
Upstream and midstream digital connectivity is a huge challenge in large gas producing countries like Canada, Australia, and Argentina where much of the landmass lacks cellular coverage; there is still extensive use of vehicles and aircraft for simple data recovery from remote oil and gas well sites.
Applications of the RIVIR D2C system in the Oil and Gas Industry
The RIVIR D2C (Direct to Cellular) satellite gateway system with its low cost, global IoT data capabilities, offers efficiency, safety, and sustainability benefits across the oil and gas production industry.
Upstream
Well monitoring: RIVIR’s unique gateway enables low cost connection of methane sensors at remote wells and to ensure early detection of gas leaks, prevention of environmental damage and avoidance of fines.
Tank monitoring: RIVIR gateways allow low cost monitoring of tank levels, thief hatches and methane leak sensors at storage tank sites.
MIDSTREAM
Gas Compression Stations: RIVIR’s world first D2C satellite gateway enables real-time telemetry from compressor engine management systems as well as local methane sensors and local flow meters. Enabling more rapid remediation of methane leaks, accelerated maintenance and reduced downtime.
The benefits of the D2C satellite enabled methane mitigation in the Oil and Gas Industry
Methane emission reduction
RIVIR's unique satellite IoT gateway can be integrated with most upstream and midstream assets, flares and most methane leak detection systems to help eliminate methane leaks and fugitive emissions from the operation. Helping oil and gas producers meet methane regulations and avoid hefty fines.
Improved sustainability
Oil and gas markets around the world are requiring producers to improve and document the sustainability of their supply chain. Primarily this means reducing GHG emissions.
By enabling more effective monitoring and control of remote oil and gas production assets, including oil and gas wells, flares, tanks, compressors, VRUs, LACT skids, thief hatches and methane sensors, energy companies can efficiently improve their environmental sustainability and protect their energy market access.
Enhanced worker safety
Upstream and midstream oil and gas companies are replacing inherently dangerous manual methods of remote data collection, involving long distance travel over often rough terrain in a vehicle or helicopter, to gather the required data, with low cost direct to cellular satellite based monitoring solutions. Reducing road and helicopter miles travelled dramatically reduces workplace safety issues.
Improved ROI
The low cost satellite enabled mitigation of methane emissions, at remote sites, including monitoring and improved condition based maintenance, will pay for itself many times over through reduced road miles, improved operational efficiency, prevention of fines and avoidance of downstream market access issues.