Transforming Energy Operations with Data Driven Continuous Monitoring
Setting the Stage for Continuous Monitoring in Energy Operations:
At Qube Technologies, we don’t just create the best in continuous emissions monitoring solutions; we're at the forefront, driving it as part of the energy sector's evolution towards lower emissions and better financial performance. Our collaboration with a leading US operator showcases a significant shift enabled by our Continuous Monitoring (CM) technology—from the customer being unaware of operational issues leading to emissions, to becoming operationally proactive in reducing emissions while avoiding significant amounts of capital. Working with this multi-national operator we scaled Qube’s CM devices across ~100 sites in 3x basins following a successful pilot.
From Observation to Action in Just Three Months:
The customer initially celebrated Qube’s Axon device and cloud native management platform for its ability to flag issues and send notifications where and when they are needed. The core value in our technology for this customer was revealed over months of comprehensive data gathering. It turned out the real strength our customer saw in our CM technology lay not just in generating alerts but in its deep analytical capacity to uncover hidden inefficiencies and reveal opportunities for significant emissions reduction without having to invest capital to upgrade the equipment at the facility.
Discovering Hidden Inefficiencies:
The data we collected told a compelling story, uncovering inefficiencies that were not apparent before. For example, we discovered that separators were not operating as efficiently as possible, contributing to unexpected methane (CH4) emissions. Additionally, we highlighted emissions related to operations at tanks—a significant but previously underrecognized issue.
Strategic Innovations for Operational Emissions Reductions:
Armed with this new understanding, our partnership with the operator deepened. Together, we implemented criteria to pinpoint areas that required tuning and established new protocols and visualizations for operations that identified problem equipment with notifications to action to cut down emissions. These strategic actions were guided by rigorous analysis, demonstrating the power of making data informed decisions. By month 3, all the Axon devices were deployed and enough data captured for the operator to begin implementing operational improvements resulting in a downward trend in observable emissions. The image below represents a typical facility where continuous monitoring was deployed (June 2023), baselines established, and inefficiency trends identified that led to field teams adjusting operations to decrease overall emissions.
Achieving Lasting Impact:
The outcomes were remarkable: we saw an estimated >90% decrease in emissions within a year and super-emitter (>100 kg/hr) events went from ~100/month to ~10/month while mandatory field inspections halved as rates fell below EPA 7-day 90-day action levels. These achievements marked not just a temporary win but a sustainable transformation, showcasing the profound impact of data-driven actions through Qube’s CM solutions.
Charting a New Path in Energy Operations with Data-Driven Emissions Solutions:
Qube's technology becomes a fully integrated operational tool providing continuous monitoring of emissions leading to site level improvements and operational excellence. Through detailed data analysis and trend identification, along with best-in-class dashboard visualizations, operators can proactively reduce emissions while improving performance and achieving compliance. With Qube, the path to proactive operations moves from a future goal to achievable reality today.