In 2024, ABB reported a significant rise in the demand for its MobileGuard™ natural gas leak detection solution, a trusted tool for energy companies. As natural gas utilities and oil and gas providers in Europe and North America seek to meet environmental regulations and enhance the safety and resilience of their infrastructure, detecting and measuring natural gas leaks has become increasingly essential.
The introduction of the EU Methane Regulation in August 2024 mandated that energy infrastructure operators in Europe regularly monitor methane emissions and swiftly address gas leaks. As natural gas is primarily made up of methane, it’s critical to contain leaks in gas pipelines.
Additionally, extreme weather events, including hurricanes and tornadoes, have become more frequent due to climate change, making it necessary for energy companies in regions like North America to find faster, cost-effective ways to inspect their infrastructure. With over 1.1 million kilometers of pipelines worldwide—enough to circle the Earth 30 times—many are buried underground, making it difficult to detect methane leaks, which are invisible, odorless, and leave no smoke trace.
“The timely detection of leaks and emissions around natural gas pipelines is essential for our energy clients to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. However, traditional methods are slow and lack the sensitivity and precision needed,” said Jason Ghiraldini, Global Product Manager for Natural Gas Leak Detection at ABB Measurement & Analytics. “ABB has long been committed to developing innovative emissions monitoring and gas leak technologies that help our customers perform at their best.”
MobileGuard™ is an advanced vehicle-mounted gas detection system that leverages laser-based technology to detect methane and ethane with unparalleled sensitivity. It is 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional detection methods and works 10 times faster in identifying gas concentrations as low as single parts per billion (ppb). Using OA-ICOS™ (Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy) technology, MobileGuard™ continuously measures gas levels multiple times per second. This innovative system operates with a tunable laser source that interacts with target gases at a precise wavelength, ensuring high accuracy and rapid response for effective leak detection.
HoverGuard™ and MicroGuard™ are part of ABB’s comprehensive gas detection portfolio, providing flexible solutions for different environments. HoverGuard™ utilizes drones to detect and quantify methane leaks in hard-to-reach areas, such as landfills and remote industrial sites. Meanwhile, MicroGuard™ is a compact, portable device designed for on-foot surveys, allowing for precise leak localization in urban and industrial settings. Both systems incorporate high-performance laser-based detection and advanced data analysis, ensuring fast and efficient gas monitoring across diverse applications.
ABB’s OA-ICOS™ technology has been a trusted tool for researchers worldwide for over two decades, playing a critical role in tracking trace gas concentrations in varied environments, from the Arctic’s frozen landscapes to the Amazon’s dense forests. Known for its exceptional precision, this technology has been widely adopted in scientific studies and industrial applications requiring the most accurate gas measurements available.
As a global leader in electrification and automation, ABB is dedicated to a more sustainable, resource-efficient future. By leveraging its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries optimize their performance while improving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. This vision is encapsulated in their slogan: “Engineered to Outrun.” With more than 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees globally, ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm.
ABB’s Process Automation division plays a crucial role in automating, electrifying, and digitalizing industries that meet essential needs, from energy and water to manufacturing and transport. With over 20,000 employees, ABB Process Automation helps industries become leaner and cleaner through its leading technologies and services.
