Laura Schilling (LS): In the US unconventionals market, methane flaring has not been uncommon during certain periods of a well’s engineering lifecycle and as operators build pipelines and production infrastructure to support their field development. During the last two years, however, investors and regulatory bodies have been driving operators to improve their carbon footprint. Many operators have recently adopted ambitious ESG targets, including a focus on environmental impact and carbon intensity. Flaring is a key contributor to methane emissions. By reducing flaring in existing and new facilities’ design, operators can take a big step in reducing emissions and also increasing production efficiency while reducing carbon intensity.

Isabel Chan (IC): E-Mission™ combines information that many brownfield sites already measure – data about temperatures, pressures, etc – with our algorithms to determine where to optimize systems to reduce flaring. E-Mission™ evaluates what's coming in, and uses automation to adjust the system parameters to ensure operators get the best value and environmental outcomes. During a six-month trial, one customer cut CO₂ equivalent emissions by 2,240 metric tons – that's the same amount generated by driving 5.6 million miles in an average US automobile. We were able to capture the gas that would have been flared and export it as sellable oil for the operator.

IC: Employees are out of the red zone but still in full control of the well site. E-Mission™ utilizes our User-Configurable Open System ( UCOS ) control system as its base, with all of the alarms and shutdown signals of a typical control system embedded there. Control resides in our Edge computing system, on a physical unit out in the field, so any interruptions in telecommunications connectivity won’t affect operations. If something were to go wrong when connectivity was down, automated shutdowns would ensure the site remains safe. The systems are linked to the cloud, where we have a learning and testing environment for software updates before they are pushed to the Edge. We and the operator also have real-time visibility of every parameter through our InsiteX app.

LS: E-Mission™ is the only solution right now with the real-time ability to monitor and calibrate controls to reduce flaring. Many operators have focused first on identifying the causes of emissions in their drilling, completion, and production activities then monitoring for trends. Most of what’s on the market is around methane detection and identification using sensor technologies so operators can make an elimination plan. We are able to provide the needed next step beyond methane identification. Our solution not only provides meaningful real-time data but gives the ability to make immediate adjustments in their production system to reduce gas and flaring in the process.

E-Mission™ is a holistic, automated solution. Through artificial intelligence and machine learning, our systems begin to recognize and anticipate each well’s unique patterns of production – all in a system that can be retrofitted on clients’ existing infrastructure.

IC: The system requires no additional instrumentation or equipment, and can provide all the data required. E-Mission™ can be implemented in a matter of hours. We collaborate to understand each customer’s needs for each individual site, then quickly and easily implement E-Mission™. Customers don't have to change their operating procedures – it runs seamlessly behind the scenes.

LS: Our learnings in automation and remote operational optimization can be of benefit onshore or offshore. The next market we see further opportunities for E-Mission™ is the international onshore market. Oil and gas companies worldwide are making ESG and emissions commitments and having a technology they can retrofit to existing equipment to help achieve that is a real benefit.