Oil and Gas Alternative Test Methods
Alternative Test Method(s) for the New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Oil and Natural Gas Operations
EPA’s final New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Oil and Natural Gas Operations provide owners and operators the opportunity to use advance monitoring technologies to meet certain requirements in the final rule.
Use this site to submit Alternative Test Method (ATM) requests to the Administrator for approval under provisions outlined in 40 CFR 60.5398b(d). These provisions incorporate specific criteria for the review, evaluation, and potential use of advanced methane detection technology for periodic screening, continuous monitoring, and/or super-emitter detection and are designed to facilitate state-of-the-art detection methods for emission sources. Technology providers and oil and natural gas owners and operators may submit requests for alternative test methods to demonstrate the performance of advanced methane detection technologies.
The application portal is now open!
Before submitting a new alternative test method application request, please review:
- The requirements in the final rule and
- The Guideline Document for Alternative Test Method Requests for the Oil and Natural Gas Advanced Methane Technology Program.
Then use these instructions to apply for an account (pdf) to access the Methane Alternative Test Method Application Submission Portal. Note: You only need an account to submit alternative test method applications. You do not need an account to browse Alternative Test Method Requests in the portal
The application portal can be accessed at https://methane.app.cloud.gov/.
Approved Alternative Test Methods
| Company/Solution | Alt-tech ID | Approval ID/ Approval Letter |
Application | Leak Resolution (kg/hour of methane | Approved Sampling Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Mapper Airborne System | ALTTECH-58 | Carbon Mapper Alt Tech Approval (pdf) | Super Emitter Program | >100 kg/hr | Carbon Mapper Airborne System Alternative Test Method (MATM-001) (pdf) |
| Bridger Photonics Aerial System | ALTTECH-14, ALTTECH-15, ALTTECH-16, ALTTECH-17, ALTTECH-18, ALTTECH-19 | Bridger Photonics Alt-Tech Approval (pdf) | Periodic Screening | <1 kgr/hr, <2 kg/hr, <3 kg/hr, <5 kg/hr, <10 kg/hr, <15 kg/hr | Bridger Photonics Aerial System Alternative Test Method (MATM-002) (pdf) |
| Xplorobot Laser Gas Imager | ALTTECH-20 | Xplorobot Alt-tech Approval (pdf) | Periodic Screening | <1 kg/hr | Xplorobot Laser Gas Imager Alternative Test Method (MATM-003) (pdf) |
| Insight M LeaksurveyorTM (aerial) | ALTTECH-24; ALTTECH-25 | Insight M Alt-Tech Approval (pdf) | Periodic Screening | <10 kg/hr, 15 kg/hr | Insight M LeakSurveyor Alternative Test Method (MATM-004) (pdf) |
Additional Information
Alternative Test Method - Advanced Methane Detection Technology Webinar - April 15, 2024
This webinar focused on the options in the final rule for using advanced methane detection technologies, such as satellite monitoring, aerial surveys, and continuous monitors, to find leaks or Super-Emitter events. The webinar included details on the process for applying to use alternative test methods and what needs to be included in the application.
- Slides from the Alternative Test Method - Advanced Methane Detection Technology Webinar (pdf) (11.5 MB)
- Watch the recorded Advanced Methane Detection Technology Webinar (opens in new window).
Learn more about EPA’s rules for oil and natural gas operations.