Quantum LiDAR: Transforming methane emissions monitoring for the global natural gas utility market

Introduction: The silent threat of methane emissions

Methane is a greenhouse gas, more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Despite representing a smaller proportion of total greenhouse gas emissions, its impact on global warming is disproportionately large. For the global natural gas industry — particularly utilities in Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia — methane emissions pose not just an environmental challenge, but a regulatory and reputational risk.

Until now, traditional methane detection methods have lacked the resolution, accuracy, and adaptability necessary for complete and cost-effective monitoring. In this context, QLM Technology Ltd. is leading a critical shift with its quantum LiDAR camera solution, enabling utilities to accurately visualize, quantify, and mitigate methane leaks in real time — and at scale.

Revolutionizing detection: The Quantum LiDAR breakthrough

QLM’s methane detection platform leverages quantum LiDAR technology — a fusion of infrared semiconductor lasers and advanced gas spectroscopy. At its core, this technology uses time-correlated single photon avalanche detection to capture 3D images of methane plumes, detecting leaks at ranges from 10 to .from 10 to over 250 meters.

This breakthrough allows utilities to perform real-time, high-resolution 3D scanning of methane emissions, drastically outperforming legacy detection methods such as handheld optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras, which rely heavily on operator interpretation and visual line-of-sight.

With 10 granted patents and more pending across the UK, Europe, and the US, QLM’s technology has quickly become one of the most robust and scalable platforms in the methane detection space. Utilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia can now deploy a proven, future-ready tool for high-precision monitoring.

Versatility in action: Monitoring across complex utility environments

Unlike fixed-sensor or satellite-based systems, QLM’s LiDAR cameras are built for versatility. The system can be deployed on permanent masts, trailers, mobile masts, tripods, or mounted on existing infrastructure, making it ideal for a variety of use cases in the gas value chain — from upstream well pads to midstream compressor stations and downstream utility infrastructure such as:

• Compressor Stations
• Measurement & Regulation (M&R) Stations
• City Gate Stations
• Underground Storage Facilities
• LNG Terminals

In Latin America, where rugged terrain and aging infrastructure present unique challenges, this portability enables broad deployment across difficult-to-access sites. In North America and Europe, where regulatory compliance and ESG reporting are central concerns, the ability to conduct continuous, automated monitoring ensures greater accountability and operational transparency. In Asia, the technology supports fast-growing utility networks and biogas operations, including those using anaerobic digestion in agriculture and waste management.

Environmental ruggedness is built in: operating temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, IP67 environmental rating, and 360° pan capability make the system suitable for any climate or geography. Whether in the high-altitude gas fields of Bolivia, the frozen operations of Alberta, or the industrial centers of Germany and China, QLM’s cameras offer unmatched resilience and adaptability.

Accuracy redefined: Emissions quantification with confidence

While many systems can detect methane, few can quantify it with actionable accuracy. QLM’s cameras include a sealed methane calibration cell to ensure continuous internal calibration. This allows the system to measure only methane, distinguishing it from background gases like CO₂ or water vapor.

By integrating distance-to-leak data with concentration metrics, QLM can estimate emission rates with a factor-of-two accuracy — a major leap forward in detection fidelity. This performance has been independently validated through blind testing at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) in Colorado, one of the world’s most rigorous testing environments.

Utilities seeking to meet or exceed voluntary emissions reduction targets or prepare for stricter mandates — such as the EU Methane Strategy or the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act’s methane fees — now have a solution capable of auditable, science-grade quantification.

Intelligent data management: Cloud-based environmental intelligence

Detection is only the first step. What makes QLM’s system truly transformative is the data intelligence ecosystem built around its cameras.

Each deployment includes an Edge Controller that encrypts, stores, and transmits data securely. Users can access the system through any standard web browser, gaining real-time control of cameras, live video feeds, custom dashboards, and historical emissions data.

Connectivity is designed for global deployment:

• 4G
• Satellite
• Wi-Fi
• Ethernet

This ensures reliable data flow whether monitoring a refinery in Texas, a remote field in Argentina, or a gas plant in Southeast Asia. Utilities can customize alert thresholds, receive automated reports, and integrate emission data into corporate ESG and regulatory frameworks with ease.

By turning complex environmental data into actionable insights, QLM empowers operators, regulators, and stakeholders to make informed decisions — from preventive maintenance to carbon offset strategies.

Regulatory compliance and a future-ready platform

With methane regulations tightening worldwide, QLM’s technology is built to meet evolving global compliance needs.

The company is actively pursuing U.S. EPA Alternative Test Method (ATM) qualification as an intermittent methane detection solution. The qualification is expected in Q3 2025, opening the door to broad regulatory acceptance in the United States and beyond.

Moreover, the system supports alignment with international frameworks, including:

• OGMP 2.0 (Oil and Gas Methane Partnership)
• EU Methane Regulation
• GHGRP (Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program)
• ISO 14064 GHG Quantification Standards

By offering a standards-compliant, future-proof solution, QLM helps utilities reduce the burden of regulatory compliance while accelerating their transition to a low-emissions operating model.

Conclusion: A new era in methane monitoring

As the natural gas utility market navigates the twin imperatives of climate responsibility and operational resilience, methane monitoring is no longer optional — it is strategic. QLM Technology Ltd. is redefining what’s possible in emissions management with its advanced quantum LiDAR platform, delivering:

• Unmatched accuracy in leak detection and quantification
• Flexible deployment across upstream, midstream, and downstream assets
• Secure, cloud-connected data intelligence for decision-making
• Compliance support for a rapidly changing global regulatory landscape

From Buenos Aires to Boston, from Berlin to Bangkok, natural gas operators now have a powerful new ally in the fight against methane. QLM’s solution is more than a camera — it’s a transformational platform for environmental accountability, safety, and operational excellence.

In a world where every molecule of methane matters, QLM provides the clarity, confidence, and control the global energy sector needs to thrive in a decarbonizing future.

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This article was developed by Robert Vaughn specialist and published as part of the fifth edition of Inspenet Brief magazine August 2025, dedicated to technical content in the energy and industrial sector.