Continuous Monitoring Detected Multiple, Distinct Emissions Events at a Compressor Station
Over three weeks, a Colorado compressor station had two separate emission events detected by Qube Fenceline devices. Qube’s continuous monitoring accurately detected and localized both events, and confirmed repairs were successfully completed while the team was still on site.
“We continually learn about these facilities when we have the [Qube] monitors out there!” the Air Compliance Manager said. “We are starting to realize more and more that emissions that manifest themselves at the tanks are often associated with problems/issues far upstream of the tanks themselves.”
Introduction
A compressor station has many places where gas can escape. Separation vessels, compressors, pigging equipment, and tanks all sit within a few hundred feet of each other. When emissions show up, teams need to know which units of equipment are responsible.
Over three weeks in spring 2026, a Colorado compressor station had two separate emission events from different equipment. Continuous monitoring detected, quantified and localized the events then confirmed the repairs while the team was still on site.
The Site Dashboard on the Qube Platform. Two separate emission events were detected and localized by Qube Fenceline devices deployed around the site (colored circle icons) and analyzed by multi-source emission modeling.
Emissions Event #1: Leaking Valves on the Inlet Coalescer
In mid-March, Qube Fenceline devices picked up methane above normal levels. The readings were strongest near the tank area, and the rate peaked above 17 mscf per day. The field team arrived at site and traced the gas to manual drain valves on the inlet coalescer. These valves release liquid from the vessel into a tank. Over time, liquid passing through wears down the sealing surface. Once that happens, gas escapes along with the liquid and travels to the tank.
On the morning of March 26, the crew blew down the coalescer and replaced the failed valves. Emissions returned to baseline, and the Qube Platform confirmed the repair was successful.
The first emissions event recorded in the Qube Platform. Persistent emissions were detected and localized to manual drain valves on the inlet coalescer.
Emissions Event#2: Tank Venting Caused by Washed Out Ball Valves
There were no emissions alerts for nearly two weeks. Then on April 8, the Qube Platform flagged a new event. The crew had started up a compressor, which required purging the unit. A purge releases gas, so a short rise in readings was expected. But the methane did not drop afterwards. The air compliance manager flagged the persistent emissions and noted Qube’s site dashboard pointed to the tank area again.
The field team went back out on the morning of April 11th. They found washed-out ball valves on the fuel gas scrubber. They isolated the dump line and confirmed gas was no longer reaching the tank. The Qube Fencelines verified the rapid drop in emissions as soon as the line was isolated. The field team swapped the old ball valves, and the emissions did not return. The Qube Plaftorm captured the full event on the site timeline, from first detection through to diagnosis.
The second emissions event was localized to the tank area. Upon investigation, the field team found washed out ball valves that required replacing. Emissions returned to baseline as soon as the lines were isolated and remained low following repairs.
What the Operator Learned
Gas showing up at the tanks was the result of equipment issues upstream. It escaped through failed valves and vented at the first open point it reached, which was the tank. Continuous monitoring gave the operator a clearer picture of equipment performance across the compressor station.
Key Takeaways
Across both events, Qube’s continuous monitoring did four things for this team:
Detected each release quickly.
Localised the source accurately enough to send the crew to the right equipment.
Recorded each event in the dashboard with start times, end times, and field notes, so the history is available for future reference and reporting.
Verified that each repair had worked while the crew was still on site.
Interested in real-time leak detection and emissions monitoring? Get a demo from one of our experts and see how continuous monitoring can help your team find equipment problems and verify repairs faster.
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