Honeywell launches NASA-inspired gas leak monitoring system in Europe

Honeywell launches NASA-inspired gas leak monitoring system in Europe

North Sea installations could soon be kitted out with NASA-inspired technology to watch for dangerous gas leaks.

US giant Honeywell International has launched its gas cloud imaging (GCI) system in Europe to provide automated, 24/7 monitoring at oil and gas, chemical and power generation facilities across the continent.

It's hoped the technology, which uses “state-of-the-art” cameras, will help companies to meet their net zero goals by flagging up expulsions of harmful substances, such as methane.

Experts have identified reducing gas emissions from hydrocarbon operations as one the most “cost-effective and impactful actions” governments can take to hit climate goals.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, methane alone is more than 80 times more potent in trapping heat than carbon dioxide after 20 years.

Current methods for monitoring gas leaks involve workers periodically inspecting sites with handheld thermal imaging cameras, a process which Honeywell said is time consuming and subject to human error.

The mini GCI system, which is part of the North Carolina-headquartered firm's gas cloud imaging product portfolio, can be deployed in “congested areas and small sites” to “continuously monitor” for gas leaks and provide alerts “as soon as they occur”.

Facility operators are then shown an “easy-to-interpret coloured visualisation” of the expulsion type, location, direction,