The Challenge
The operator faced mounting pressure on multiple fronts—operational, environmental, and regulatory—creating an urgent need for a faster, more scalable approach to leak survey compliance.
- Shrinking Workforce, Growing Backlog
Ongoing employee retention challenges limited the availability of qualified technicians, making it increasingly difficult for the operator to maintain its leak survey schedule. As staffing levels declined, the survey backlog continued to grow, putting system reliability and regulatory compliance at risk.
- Complex Field Conditions Slowing Productivity
Large portions of the system traversed marshlands, rural corridors, and long roadway segments with limited access points. These conditions made traditional walking surveys slow, inefficient, and costly. In many cases, assessing a single segment required two to three technicians, further increasing labor demands and extending timelines.
- A Tight Compliance Deadline with No Room for Delays
With only weeks remaining before the regulatory deadline, it became clear that conventional walking‑based survey methods would be insufficient. Completing the remaining mileage would have required several additional months—placing the operator on the verge of falling out of compliance and facing potential regulatory consequences.
The Solution
To address these challenges, the operator engaged SJB Group to execute the compliance leak survey. SJB Group selected Heath’s Discover AMLD® system, paired with the RMLD‑CS, utilizing a cost‑effective rental model. This approach provided access to advanced methane detection technology while maintaining flexibility through project‑based equipment leasing.
"The rental option allows us to keep an affordable price for our smaller clients while providing larger operator technology"
The Results
SJB Group rapidly mobilized and completed the AMLD‑based survey across the utility’s network in just seven working days. This accelerated approach dramatically improved survey efficiency, enabling extensive coverage while overcoming difficult terrain and access limitations.
Beyond productivity gains, the AMLD‑based method improved crew safety by reducing the need for prolonged on‑foot surveys in remote or hazardous environments. Most importantly, the project was completed ahead of the compliance deadline—allowing the utility to avoid potential regulatory exposure.
The deployment also delivered enhanced mapping, data visualization, and reporting, providing the operator with insights that were not previously available through traditional survey methods.
By complementing Discover AMLD with Heath’s portable instruments—including the RMLD‑CS and DP‑IR—survey teams were able to rapidly identify and precisely pinpoint methane leaks. This combination ensured both speed and accuracy in leak survey operations.
