Shreveport, LA – CenterPoint Energy has expanded its deployment of cutting-edge gas leak detection technology, aiming to improve natural gas safety and reduce methane emissions. The company now utilizes the Picarro Advanced Mobile Leak Detection System, a state-of-the-art, vehicle-mounted technology designed to identify potential natural gas leaks faster and with greater precision.
The Picarro system, which is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional leak detection methods, detects methane emissions at parts per billion (PPB) levels rather than parts per million (PPM). This increased sensitivity allows crews to pinpoint issues earlier, leading to quicker mitigation and repairs while minimizing service disruptions.
“This technology allows us to detect potential leaks with greater precision and speed, strengthening the safety of our system and is one of the many ways that we’re investing in keeping natural gas in the pipe and out of the air,” said Richard Leger, CenterPoint’s Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Business. “We’re continuing to advance innovative solutions to provide safe, reliable service that benefits our customers and the communities we’re privileged to serve.”
Commitment to Safety and Sustainability
CenterPoint Energy was among the first utilities in the U.S. to pilot the Picarro system, testing it in Minnesota and Texas in 2013. Now, with one of the world’s largest fleets utilizing this advanced technology across its six-state natural gas footprint, the company is reinforcing its commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability.
By implementing this system, CenterPoint is also contributing to its long-term goal of reducing methane emissions by 33% by 2035, using 2021 as the baseline. The technology’s ability to rapidly detect and repair leaks plays a crucial role in improving infrastructure efficiency and sustainability.
How the Picarro System Works
- Real-time monitoring and analytics: The system continuously scans air samples while a vehicle follows a designated route, typically at night when atmospheric conditions optimize detection accuracy.
- Targeted inspections: Once potential emissions are detected, field crews conduct precise inspections to determine if a leak exists and, if necessary, make repairs with minimal impact on customers.
- Improved infrastructure reliability: By reducing methane emissions and optimizing maintenance processes, the technology helps ensure a safer, more dependable natural gas system.
As CenterPoint Energy continues investing in advanced infrastructure and modernization efforts, the adoption of the Picarro system underscores its ongoing mission to enhance safety and support a more sustainable energy future for communities across Louisiana.
For more information about CenterPoint Energy’s leak detection advancements, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Picarro.