With just four weeks left until a critical regulatory deadline, Utah Gas Corp faced a major challenge. Hundreds of well-pads needed Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) inspections, but traditional third-party services were proving to be a costly and slow bottleneck. Delays weren’t just an inconvenience — they threatened compliance, potential fines and operational setbacks. The company urgently needed to find a faster, more efficient solution.
Utah Gas took control of its emissions compliance by deploying Xplorobot’s EPA-approved handheld Laser Gas Imager. Since the technology can be operated by field personnel as part of routine operations, Utah Gas trained its team in just three hours and completed inspections, repairs and verifications across all required pads in just three weeks. This approach not only ensured they met the compliance deadline but also significantly reduced LDAR costs.
About Xplorobot
Xplorobot is a pioneering provider of AI-powered emissions detection and compliance technology for the oil and gas industry. Its smartphone-based Laser Gas Imager, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State of Utah and the State of Colorado, enables cost-effective, high-precision methane detection and quantification. Designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, Xplorobot’s platform allows any operator to be trained in just three hours, integrate inspections into daily workflows, and detect and mitigate emissions in real time — all without the need for expensive third-party services.
The Challenge: A Tight Compliance Deadline
Utah Gas, an independent onshore producer operating in Utah and Colorado, had fallen behind on mandatory LDAR inspections. With only four weeks to go, the company still had several hundred well pads left to inspect. Hiring external LDAR contractors was not a viable option, as they were too expensive and too slow to meet the deadline. Delays in compliance could result in penalties, operational disruptions and increased regulatory oversight.
The Solution: Xplorobot’s EPA-Approved Laser Gas Imager
To meet their deadline, Utah Gas turned to Xplorobot’s handheld methane detection technology — a cost‑effective, EPA- and Utah state-approved solution that enables in-house LDAR execution with minimal training.
- Training and Deployment: Utah Gas personnel were trained in just three hours, thanks to EPA‑approved training protocols for the Xplorobot Laser Gas Imager.
- Rapid Execution: The Laser Gas Imager was deployed across Utah Gas’s operations, allowing their own personnel to scan hundreds of well pads within three weeks.
- Real-Time Mitigation: Over 70% of detected emissions were repaired immediately, reducing the need for costly post-inspection repairs.
Results and Impact
- Regulatory Compliance Achieved: Inspections were completed on time, avoiding penalties and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for third-party LDAR providers, Utah Gas significantly lowered program costs while maintaining high detection accuracy.
- Increased Efficiency: The ability to detect, repair and verify emissions in a single trip and in real time significantly reduced post-LDAR mitigation expenses.
Industry Takeaways
This case study demonstrates that independent operators can take control of LDAR compliance without relying on expensive external contractors. With the right technology, in-house teams can:
- Train quickly and conduct LDAR inspections themselves, eliminating costly delays.
- Use real-time emissions data to make immediate repairs, reducing regulatory and environmental risk.
- Leverage phone-based, AI-enhanced sensors for faster, more scalable compliance.
Xplorobot’s technology is fully approved by the EPA and the State of Utah for Subpart OOOOa/b/c and Subpart W inspections, making it the most cost-effective, easy-to-deploy solution for LDAR compliance.
