CALGARY, AB (November 20, 2025): NGIF Accelerator proudly announces the successful completion of GHGSat’s field pilot demonstrating a satellite-aircraft hybrid system for methane detection and quantification in the BC Montney region.
Purpose-built to support industrial operators to reduce emissions, GHGSat’s satellites pinpoint the source of methane leaks as small as 100 kg/hr, often down to individual pieces of equipment. Leveraging an unmatched daily revisit rate, GHGSat alerts operators about emissions within hours of detection. Alongside its fleet of satellites, GHGSat operates aircraft equipped with its patented sensor, complementing high-frequency satellite monitoring with targeted and rapid response campaigns.
The project validated GHGSat’s monitoring technologies as a viable alternative to traditional methods, providing an equivalent or superior methane detection faster and at a lower cost.
The initiative addressed British Columbia’s regulatory requirements mandating three comprehensive methane leak detection and repair (LDAR) surveys per year for oil and gas facilities. Traditional optical gas imaging (OGI) technologies face limitations in accuracy, speed, and cost. GHGSat’s hybrid system, combining proprietary analytics with satellite, aircraft, and ground monitoring, successfully demonstrated its ability to overcome these challenges.
Over the course of the project, GHGSat deployed its hybrid solution at scale, proving the technology can detect major methane leaks more quickly and accurately than traditional methods while significantly reducing operational costs. The system met key performance targets in detection speed, precision, and cost efficiency.
Image: GHGSat’s high-resolution emission monitoring sensor. Image courtesy: GHGSat.
This successful field validation establishes GHGSat’s tiered monitoring system as a critical solution to support industrial operators aiming to ensure regulatory compliance and reduce emissions.
As methane regulations expand globally, GHGSat’s rapid, cost-effective, and scalable solution offers oil and gas operators a valuable tool to strengthen environmental performance, helping reduce methane emissions while supporting responsible growth across the sector.
“GHGSat’s successful demonstration is a strong example of how industry collaboration and innovation can accelerate real-world emissions reductions,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“GHGSat greatly appreciates NGIF’s support in bringing our hybrid technologies to market. This project has proven that advanced methane monitoring can be faster, more accurate, and cost-effective, helping operators meet regulations and environmental goals with confidence,” said Stephane Germain, President, GHGSat.
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, and lower-emission energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support innovations like GHGSat’s technology,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
Industry Grants’ Participants and Project Partners
About Industry Grants program
The Industry Grants program is industry-led and offers non-dilutive grants to fund early-stage startups for technology development and field demonstration. The program specifically de-risks pre-commercial technology solutions that have the potential to increase the environmental performance of the natural gas sector. Each project in the program will accelerate technology readiness level progressions through controlled pilot testing and field trials to advance commercialization.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and operates all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and administers the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre program.
About GHGSat
GHGSat is a global technology leader with pioneering emissions-monitoring capabilities that drive industrial efficiency with positive impact. Harnessing the power of satellites and aircraft, GHGSat traces emissions directly to their source at an unmatched speed, delivering the data and insights required to take action. A trusted partner for organizations around the world, GHGSat empowers decision-makers to tackle emissions, accelerating progress towards a resilient energy future.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gas energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. Its members are distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and other service providers. Today, natural gas meets almost 40 percent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Dini Philip
Communications Coordinator,
