Don’t Let Third Parties Call Out Your Super Emitters: Stay Ahead with Qube’s Continuous Monitoring Solutions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently certified its first organization, Carbon Mapper, under the Methane Super Emitter Program. This certification enables Carbon Mapper to identify and report significant methane leaks – known as super emitter events – to EPA. On January 9th and 10th, 2025, Carbon Mapper conducted aerial emissions monitoring over the Bakersfield, California area and reported seven super emitter events (Fig. 1). Further details of these events are available on the Methane Super Emitter Data Explorer here.
Figure 1. The EPA Methane Super Emitter Data Explorer maps super emitter events on a public site. Data from https://echo.epa.gov/trends/methane-super-emitter-program/data-explorer.
What Is EPA’s Methane Super Emitter Program?
The EPA's Methane Super Emitter Program under 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts OOOO, OOOOa, OOOOb, and OOOOc is designed to rapidly detect and mitigate large-scale methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The program works with certified third-party notifiers, leveraging EPA-approved remote sensing technologies—such as satellites, aerial equipment, and mobile platforms—to identify large methane leaks.
What Is a Super Emitter Event?
A super emitter event is characterized as any emissions event at or near an oil and gas facility where the methane emission rate reaches or exceeds 100 kg/hr, as detected through approved remote sensing methods.
How is a Super Emitter Event Reported by a Third-Party?
Certified third-party notifiers must report detected super emitter events to the EPA within 15 days. Once reported, the EPA evaluates the submission and, if validated, notifies the facility operator. The operator then has:
Five days to investigate the event.
Fifteen days to submit a comprehensive report, detailing the cause, corrective actions taken, and preventive measures for the future.
How to Stay Ahead of Third-Party Super Emitter Reporting
Qube Technologies’ continuous emissions monitoring solutions provide operators with the tools to detect and respond to emissions trends before they become super emitter events. By configuring real-time alarms, operators can take corrective action immediately, preventing third-party reports and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Real-World Success: Thief Hatch Leak Stopped Within 24 Hours
An oil and gas operator in Oklahoma implemented Qube’s continuous monitoring system to detect leaks faster than traditional inspection methods like optical gas imaging (OGI) and ad hoc Audio-Visual-Olfactory (AVO) checks. Shortly after deployment, Qube’s sensors detected elevated methane levels near storage tanks.
Immediately upon detection, the system triggered an automated email alert to the operator, prompting an on-site investigation. The team discovered an open thief hatch – a common yet significant emission source. Repairs were completed the same day, and Qube’s sensors verified that methane levels had returned to baseline. Figure 2 illustrates the streamlined workflow enabled by Qube’s system.
Figure 2. Qube Technologies’ Continuous Monitoring System Work Practice
Had this leak gone undetected, it might have persisted for weeks, exposing the operator to regulatory violations, third-party reporting, and unnecessary methane emissions. Instead, Qube’s real-time data ensured rapid mitigation, protecting both compliance and environmental performance. The integration of baseline monitoring, real-time alarms, and automated verification ensures leaks are detected and resolved far more quickly than traditional scheduled inspections.
Turn Super Emitters into Non-Issues with Qube
Qube’s continuous emissions monitoring solutions empower operators to:
Act faster: Real-time alarms eliminate delays in detecting and fixing leaks.
Stay ahead of third-party reporting: Address super emitters before they are flagged externally.
Ensure compliance: Keep emissions below regulatory thresholds.
Protect your reputation: Avoid public scrutiny and costly EPA-reported events.
Take control of your emissions strategy today. Contact Qube to learn how continuous monitoring can keep your operations compliant and efficient.
For more insights into how Qube Technologies is driving emissions reduction and sustainability in the oil and gas sector, explore our other resources and case studies or reach out directly.