Tag: Blog Post

Understanding how light, lasers, and a bit of aerospace science help us measure methane with exceptional accuracy.

Read time: 5 minutes

Detecting Methane with Light

How do you “see” a gas that is invisible to the naked eye?

That’s the challenge our team set out to solve with the SeekIR^® sensor. Methane is colorless and odorless, but it interacts with specific wavelengths of light in a very predictable way. When laser light passes through a plume of methane, any methane molecules in the way will absorb some of the light. By measuring how much light gets through, we can determine how much methane was present. This technique is called absorption spectroscopy, and it allows us to measure methane with exceptional precision, down to parts per billion. That’s like spotting a single drop of ink in an Olympic-size swimming pool.

This optical approach is powerful because it’s non-contact and extremely fast, making it ideal for mobile platforms like drones.

The Basics of Absorption Spectroscopy

Imagine shining a flashlight through a fog. Some of the light makes it through, and some gets absorbed by the tiny water droplets. By measuring how much light is absorbed, you can learn something about what’s in the fog.

In our case, instead of a flashlight, we use a Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) that emits light at a specific wavelength that methane molecules are known to absorb. And instead of fog, we’re looking through air that may or may not contain methane. If methane is present, it will absorb some of the laser light, and our detector on the other side will see a dip in the signal.

This process is described by the Beer-Lambert Law, a physics equation that helps us calculate exactly how much methane is in the air based on how much light was absorbed. This is the same principle used in laboratories, but we’ve miniaturized and ruggedized it for use in real-world environments on unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Building a Better Sensor

Not all sensors are created equal. While laser spectrometers exist on the market, the SeekIR^® sensor was engineered for maximum sensitivity and durability, combining aerospace-grade optics with field-ready design.

To boost sensitivity, the SeekIR^® sensor uses a special design called a Herriott Cell, a key feature to the design. Think of it like a hall of mirrors, our laser bounces back and forth between two highly reflective surfaces, giving it a longer path to interact with any methane molecules in the air. The longer the path, the more chances we have to detect even tiny amounts of gas.

We also use a technique called Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS). This method “tunes” the laser rapidly across a small range of wavelengths, helping us cut through background noise and measure only what we care about. It’s like tuning a radio to the exact frequency of your favorite station while filtering out static. This means our readings are both more accurate and more robust, even when environmental conditions aren’t ideal.

 Built for Real-World Conditions

Sensitive scientific instruments are usually delicate or don’t hold up in the field, but this one is different.

We perform a rigorous multi-point calibration of each sensor in our laboratory, allowing it to maintain high accuracy across a broad dynamic range of methane concentrations. This step is critical to ensure the sensor produces consistent, quantitative data, regardless of whether it’s detecting a small background enhancement or a significant leak event.

Following calibration, each sensor is placed in an environmental chamber where it’s subjected to controlled humidity conditions ranging from 0% to 95% relative humidity (RH). This ensures the sensor’s optical and electronic systems remain stable even in highly variable weather conditions.

The sensor’s robustness is further confirmed through temperature validation tests between -20°C and 55°C, simulating the harshest real-world environments, from frozen oilfields to tropical biogas facilities. These extremes are not hypothetical—they reflect the demanding conditions our clients face across global field deployments.

Additionally, it’s ruggedized for the harshest environments. The ruggedization is verified through the shock and vibration testing completed at our factory. Confirming it’s ready to operate around the world in a variety of winds, temperatures, and high altitudes without missing a beat.

Why Precision Matters

In emissions monitoring, small errors can lead to big consequences.

When you’re trying to quantify emissions that can change rapidly with weather or equipment conditions, precision is everything. An error of just a few parts per million could mean the difference between reporting a small leak or missing a much larger one. Operators may delay repairs, regulators may receive incomplete data, and companies may miss emissions targets. That’s why precision isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a requirement.

Once calibrated in the factory, our laser-based sensor doesn’t require recalibration in the field and maintains its accuracy over time even after extended use. That gives us and our customers confidence in the data we collect, whether it’s being used for regulatory reporting, sustainability goals, or leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs.

A Foundation for Smarter Decisions

By precisely measuring methane in the air, the SeekIR^® sensor forms the backbone of our measurement system. It tells us when methane is present, how much there is, and helps guide our drone flights to find the source.

And while the technology might be based on sophisticated optics and physics, the goal is simple: give companies a reliable way to see what was once invisible—and take action.

In our next post, we’ll explore how methane behaves in the atmosphere and why mobility (like flying a drone) is key to understanding emissions in three dimensions.

Stay tuned for the next post in our series: “Capturing the Invisible – Methane Plumes in Motion.”

Want to learn how precise methane detection helps reduce emissions?
Contact Us to discover how SeekIR^® can support your environmental goals.

References

Hanson, R. K., Spearrin, R. M., & Goldenstein, C. S. (2016). Spectroscopy and Optical Diagnostics for Gases (Vol. 1). Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-23252-2

Webster, C. R. (2005). Measuring methane and its isotopes 12CH₄, 13CH₄, and CH₃D on the surface of Mars with in situ laser spectroscopy. Applied Optics, 44(7), 1226–1235. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.44.001226

Corbett, A., & Smith, B. (2022). Study of a Miniature TDLAS System Onboard Two Unmanned Aircraft to Independently Quantify Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Production Assets and Other Industrial Emitters. Atmosphere, 13(5), 804. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050804

NASA Spinoff (2019). Methane Detector Sniffs Out Leaks. NASA Technology Transfer Program. https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/ps_7.html

Discover how SeekOps turned a Mars rover methane sensor into a powerful emissions monitoring tool—precision built for space, used to reduce climate change on Earth.

Read time: 5 minutes

A Journey That Began on Mars

At SeekOps, our technology has a rather extraordinary origin story. Long before it was detecting methane leaks at energy facilities, the core sensor behind our platform was developed to help search for life on Mars.

Yes, that Mars.

Our sensor was born at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as part of the Curiosity Rover mission. Scientists needed a tool sensitive enough to detect even the smallest traces of methane, a gas that on Mars could be a clue pointing toward microbial life. Because Mars has only tiny amounts of methane in its atmosphere, the instrument had to be extremely precise and accurate with the ability to pick up even the faintest signal.

What the JPL team didn’t foresee was how this breakthrough would later be used to tackle one of Earth’s most pressing climate challenges — methane emissions monitoring. That same core technology is now the foundation of SeekOps’ globally deployed sensor systems, helping industries detect and reduce greenhouse gases with unprecedented accuracy.

Transforming Space-Tech into Climate-Tech

After being successfully deployed on another planet, the methane detection technology was “spun out” of NASA in 2017 and adapted for use in our own atmosphere. That’s when SeekOps was born.

Our team saw enormous potential: methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, resulting in a huge impact for the climate. It is responsible for about 30% of current global warming, according to the International Energy Agency. Because it dissipates faster than CO₂ in the atmosphere, cutting methane offers one of the fastest, most impactful ways to slow climate change in the near term.

Detecting and reducing emissions is a priority across the energy industry and beyond. Yet, until recently, many tools lacked the sensitivity or mobility to measure it effectively, especially in hard-to-reach places or dynamic environments such as oil and gas facilities, landfills, biogas plants, and more.

SeekOps set out to change that. Adapting the Martian sensor for terrestrial use required more than a simple repackaging. Earth’s atmosphere is denser, more humid, and far more variable than that of Mars, demanding significant engineering adaptations. The SeekOps team miniaturized the platform even further, integrated it with unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and reconfigured it for accurate measurements in industrial settings. They also developed fully autonomous workflows that allowed the sensor to be deployed at scale — from drones surveying oil and gas facilities to quantification and attribution workflows in the cloud.

The result is a compact yet powerful methane detection tool that blends space-grade precision with the practicality and flexibility required for global emissions monitoring.

Field-Tested. Field-Proven.

Bringing the sensor down to Earth wasn’t enough—we needed to prove it works in real-world conditions. That’s why we took it to the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) in Colorado.

Our sensor was one of the first methane detection platforms evaluated at METEC, a controlled test facility that simulates real-world emission scenarios. The sensor performed exceptionally well, with results showing high sensitivity and consistent quantification accuracy across a range of emission rates and environmental conditions. Our sensor outperformed the rest, detecting leaks without false positives or false negatives.

Independent evaluations, including those conducted by Stanford University and industry-leading operators, confirmed the technology’s reliability. Unlike many alternatives, SeekOps’ system not only detected emissions at very low levels but also provided accurate quantification, even in the presence of wind, obstructions, or multiple sources.

These capabilities have led to wide adoption by major energy companies, government programs, and climate accountability initiatives, reinforcing SeekOps’ position as a trusted partner in methane detection.

Real-World Impact Around the Globe

Since its commercialization, SeekOps has surveyed more than 2,000 facilities across over 35 countries and six continents, including over 100 offshore platforms. The technology has been deployed in a wide range of sectors: from upstream and midstream oil and gas operations to renewable natural gas projects, landfills, biogas digesters, and waste management sites.

Each deployment provides detailed, site-specific emissions data that customers use to make operational improvements, address leaks, and comply with stringent climate regulations. The results speak for themselves. Since 2021, SeekOps has enabled the measurement of over 1.1 million tonnes of methane annually, equivalent to about 31 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. These measurements support programs such as OGMP 2.0 and the EU Methane Regulation, as well as new frameworks such as GTI Veritas, OneFuture, or MiQ in the United States.

SeekOps doesn’t just provide detection — it enables action.

Why It Matters

Methane detection isn’t just about compliance. It’s about protecting our environment and improving operational safety. Every undetected leak is a lost resource and a missed opportunity to reduce climate impact. While it often escapes through small leaks or malfunctioning equipment, it has historically been difficult to detect and measure, especially at scale.

Because our sensor was designed to operate in one of the harshest environments imaginable—another planet—it’s incredibly reliable and sensitive. That means SeekOps can detect and quantify even low-level emissions in complex, real-world conditions.

By turning invisible emissions into actionable insights, operators can now locate even small leaks, prioritize repairs, and demonstrate measurable reductions. This capability is no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a core requirement for companies that are serious about reducing their carbon footprint and meeting regulatory or ESG expectations.

From Red Planet to Blue Planet

Today, what started as a mission to find life on Mars is helping us preserve life here on Earth.

SeekOps is proud to carry that legacy forward by combining scientific rigor, cutting-edge technology, and environmental stewardship to support industries in their efforts to reduce emissions and build a more sustainable future. Our company is expanding its sensor platform to detect other greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. It is also developing AI-powered analytics to automate emissions source attribution and support predictive maintenance. All of this aims at making emissions data even more useful, and actionable, for customers.

As the world continues to embrace transparency, accountability, and decarbonization, SeekOps is committed to providing the tools that enable real change. Whether you’re new to emissions monitoring or an industry veteran, we’re excited to share how our tools work and why they matter.

Stay tuned for the next post in our series: “The Science of Precision – How the SeekIR^® Sensor Works.”

Curious how space-age tech can improve sustainability on Earth?
Request a Demo or Explore Our Technology to see how SeekOps is transforming emissions monitoring around the world.

References

Webster, C. R. (2005). Measuring methane and its isotopes 12CH₄, 13CH₄, and CH₃D on the surface of Mars within situ laser spectroscopy. Applied Optics, 44(7), 1226–1235. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.44.001226

NASA Spinoff (2019). Methane Detector Sniffs Out Leaks. NASA Technology Transfer Program. https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/ps_7.html

Ravikumar, A. P., Wang, J., Sreedhara, S., et al. (2019). Single-blind inter-comparison of methane detection technologies: Results from the Stanford/EDF Mobile Monitoring Challenge. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 7(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.373

Hossian, R. I., et al. (2024). A Controlled Release Experiment for Investigating Methane Measurement Performance at Landfills. Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF). https://erefdn.org/eref-funded-study-highlights-advances-in-measuring-landfill-methane-emissions

Corbett, A., & Smith, B. (2022). Study of a Miniature TDLAS System Onboard Two Unmanned Aircraft to Independently Quantify Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Production Assets and Other Industrial Emitters. Atmosphere, 13(5), 804. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050804