Flying high for methane management: innovation in action
Woodside takes to the skies to detect and measure methane emissions.
In a first for Woodside, a helicopter equipped with cutting-edge Gas Mapping LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has taken to the skies over our Western Australian onshore assets – Karratha Gas Plant (KGP), Pluto LNG and the Pluto-KGP Interconnector – to detect and measure methane emissions. Check out the video of the helo in action below.
Last month the Heliwest-operated helicopter, fitted with Bridger Photonics’ LiDAR sensor, flew at speeds of 120 kph in a grid-like “mow-the-lawn” pattern. The aircraft scanned our facilities from above, capturing real-time data on methane plumes invisible to the human eye.
The benefits of this cutting-edge technology are clear: speed, accuracy, reduced cost and improved safety. The data collected will help validate Woodside’s ongoing emissions tracking, guide on-the-ground inspections and support future efforts to manage and reduce emissions of methane to the atmosphere.
Already, the teams are taking action as a result of the survey, including addressing some of the emissions detected.
Years in the making, the campaign was a showcase of teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
Teams across Engineering and Technology, Contracting and Procurement, Logistics, Aviation, Operations, Corporate Affairs and external contractors, Bridger Photonics and Heliwest, came together to deliver.
Liz Westcott, EVP and COO Australia, congratulated all teams for their collaboration and safe execution of the survey.
“This survey is a powerful example of how innovation and teamwork can deliver real outcomes,” Liz said.
By using aerial detection, we can rapidly scan large areas without entering sites – saving time, reducing costs and minimising risks to personnel while supporting our emissions reduction efforts."
The survey’s success reflects the important role that innovation, safety and transparency all play in Woodside’s environmental management.
The aerial campaign is part of Woodside’s commitment to Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 – the UN’s flagship oil and gas methane mitigation program – and supports our goal of achieving Gold Standard reporting.
It complements our methane management plan to measure, reduce and report emissions, and lead by example across the industry.
In 2024, Woodside maintained our reported methane emissions intensity at around 0.1% of production by volume, ahead of industry benchmark and target levels.
Learn more here.
