Drone Emissions Monitoring: EPA OTM-51 and What It Means
An overview of drone methane and gas detection, and the EPA Other Test Method 51 for drone-based emissions measurement.
What drones measure
Drones carry gas detectors (for example laser-based methane sensors), optical gas imaging cameras or sampling payloads to find leaks and track plumes at wellpads, pipelines, landfills and industrial sites. They cover ground faster than walking surveys and can reach flares and stacks safely.
What EPA OTM-51 is
Other Test Method 51 is an EPA-published method describing how to measure emissions using drone-based sensors. Clients sometimes ask for work performed in line with it. It is a test method, not a licence — ask providers how their equipment and procedures align with it.
Typical deliverables
Leak locations with GPS coordinates, concentration maps, estimated emission rates where the method allows, photos and a summary report for your leak detection and repair programme or regulator.
Questions to ask
Which sensor do you fly and how is it calibrated? What detection threshold can you achieve? How do you handle wind and weather? Can you share an example report? Our directory records claims; it does not certify EPA compliance.
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