How Qube Helped One Permian Operator Detect Offsite Emissions

Protecting Emissions Performance in a Crowded Basin

In the Permian Basin and other resource-rich areas, production facilities often share airspace with neighboring operations. That proximity creates a real challenge: when methane levels rise, how do you know the source is your equipment – and not another nearby operation?

One Qube customer faced this exact scenario. Here’s how they avoided misattributed emissions, saved field operators’ time, and protected their performance with the data to back it up.

Challenge

For months, Qube’s continuous monitoring system showed methane emissions at this operator’s facility remained well below baseline – a strong indicator of excellent operational performance.

However, in January 2025, the system detected a spike in methane levels. Rather than pointing to a leak or onsite equipment issue, Qube’s directional data clearly pointed towards an offsite source northwest of the site (Fig. 1).  

Figure 1 - Directional data from Qube sensors and data modeling revealed the methane spike originated northwest of the monitored facility, thus ruling out onsite equipment as the source.

Solution

Using Qube’s spatial modeling and directional data, the operator quickly traced the emissions to a nearby gas plant less than a mile northwest of the facility (Fig. 2). The operator was able to confidently validate that the emissions spike was unrelated to their own operations — saving time and preventing unnecessary inspections.

Figure 2 - Qube’s continuous monitoring identified emissions likely originating from a neighboring gas plant, not the monitored facility.

Results

With Qube’s continuous monitoring, the operator verified there was no onsite leak and saved time by avoiding unnecessary inspections. Furthermore, Qube’s platform filtered out offsite emissions to accurately reflect the site’s true performance.

Conclusion

In densely spaced oilfields, accurately differentiating what emissions are yours and what are not is critical. With Qube’s EPA-approved continuous monitoring solution, operators can confidently protect their operations.

Ready to see what Qube’s continuous monitoring can do for your operations? Talk to one of our specialists today.


Interested in more operational examples how Qube Technologies is driving emissions reduction and sustainability in the oil and gas sector? Explore our other resources and case studies or reach out directly

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