Pinpointing and Quantifying Methane Leaks with the Bar Hole Sampler

Industry

Nonprofit/Charity

Challenge

At a geothermal site, rapidly accumulating methane created an urgent safety hazard, threatening public safety and the structural integrity of surrounding infrastructure. The situation was made more complex by the unknown origin and variable concentration of methane throughout the geothermal system, leaving WDF uncertain about the scale and severity of the leak. Addressing the threat demanded precise detection and accurate quantification, enabling targeted interventions, informed remediation strategies, and real-time decision-making to protect both human safety and the environment.

Results

The Bar Hole Sampler precisely identified methane leaks within the geothermal well field and quantified their concentrations, informing targeted mitigation and safety protocols. Real-time monitoring enabled rapid response, while focused remediation minimized unnecessary excavation. As a result, the field was secured, reducing risks to personnel, the public, and surrounding infrastructure.

Key Product

Bar Hole Sampler

welldonefoundation.org/

About Well Done Foundation

The Well Done Foundation (WDF) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the environmental hazards posed by orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells.

Founded in 2019 by former oil executive Curtis Shuck, the foundation aims to mitigate climate change by preventing methane emissions through the plugging of these wells.

Background

In 2025, a significant methane leak was detected in a geothermal well field, posing safety risks due to the flammable nature of the gas and potential hazards to nearby areas. While methane leaks are more commonly associated with oil and gas wells, geothermal wells can also release methane through underground pathways.

Accurate detection and quantification were critical for immediate safety and long-term mitigation, as the precise source and extent of methane migration were initially unclear.

The Challenge

Immediate Safety Risk: Methane accumulation threatened personnel and nearby infrastructure.
Uncertainty: The source and concentration of methane within the geothermal system were unknown.
Need for Accurate Data: Effective mitigation required precise detection and quantification to prioritize interventions and guide remediation strategies.

The Solution

The Well Done Foundation (WDF) deployed the Bar Hole Sampler, an advanced 3-in-1 tool designed to pinpoint, quantify, and purge methane leaks from underground sources. This methodical approach allowed WDF to identify the leak source and assess the scale of migration with high precision.

Actions Taken

Rapid Site Assessment: WDF teams quickly surveyed the geothermal field to identify potential leak locations.
Precision Sampling: The Bar Hole Sampler collected gas samples directly above suspected methane pathways.
Leak Quantification: Sampler data measured methane concentrations and determined the rate of gas migration.
Targeted Mitigation: Accurate measurements allowed WDF to focus excavation and sealing efforts on critical areas only.
Long-Term Monitoring: Baseline data from the sampler established a framework for ongoing monitoring and verification.

Additional technologies supporting this project included Heath’s RMLD-CS, SEMTECH HI-FLOW 2, and DeNova natural gas detectors for indoor monitoring.

“The new Bar Hole Sampler is an exceptional piece of technology that allows us to pinpoint and quantify leaks quickly—truly game-changing for natural gas field operations.”– Curtis Shuck, Chairman, Well Done Foundation

The Results

Accurate Leak Identification: Methane sources within the geothermal well field were precisely located
Quantified Risk: Concentration data informed mitigation strategies and safety protocols.
Real-Time Data: Leak locations and concentrations were tracked continuously for rapid response and downloaded for reporting.
Efficient Remediation: Targeted interventions reduced unnecessary excavation and effective locations for repair.
Enhanced Safety: The field was secured, mitigating potential hazards for public safety and surrounding areas.

Bar hole dataset

Figure 1 - Heat map of methane concentration, image courtesy of Sensors Inc.

Key Takeaways

- Advanced tools like the Bar Hole Sampler are essential for precise leak detection and quantification.
- Accurate measurements enable data-driven decision-making, improving safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaboration between nonprofits, industry experts, and regulators ensures successful mitigation of environmental hazards.