As Australia moves towards a lower-carbon future, reducing emissions is at the heart of the conversation. While much of the focus is on renewable energy, one often overlooked contributor to Australia’s emissions profile is fugitive gas.
What is Fugitive Gas?
Fugitive gas refers to methane emissions that escape unintentionally during the production, processing, storage, and transport of fossil fuels. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and is far more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat in the atmosphere around 28 times more powerful over a 100-year period (Climate Council).
Even small leaks can have a large impact on Australia’s overall emissions, making fugitive gas management a critical part of our energy transition.
The scale of the challenge
According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, fugitive emissions account for nearly 10% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these come from coal mining, oil and gas operations, and infrastructure such as pipelines and compressors.
Reducing fugitive gas is not only essential for meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets, but also for maintaining the credibility of gas as a transitional energy source.
Why the industry is focusing on fugitive gas?
Fugitive gas has become a central focus for the resources sector because of its impact on safety, the environment and national policy commitments. From a safety perspective, methane is highly explosive at concentrations between 5 and 15 percent, making it a serious risk in underground mines where proper management is critical.
Environmentally, methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Addressing these emissions is therefore essential if Australia is to meet its climate goals.
The nation has also committed to the Global Methane Pledge, which sets a target of reducing methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Together, these drivers are pushing industry and government to find effective solutions.
How do we reduce fugitive gas?
Several technologies and approaches are already in play to reduce fugitive gas emissions.
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
One of the most effective ways to reduce fugitive gas emissions is through comprehensive Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs. Methane leaks can occur at various points across oil, gas and coal infrastructure, often going unnoticed without the right monitoring tools. Advanced technologies such as infrared cameras, fixed sensors, drones and even satellites are now being deployed to detect leaks quickly and accurately. Once identified, operators can act swiftly to repair faulty equipment, significantly reducing emissions.
LDAR also extends beyond surface infrastructure. In underground mining, pre-mining drainage is increasingly being used to capture methane from boreholes before it enters mine workings. This approach not only reduces the risk of explosive concentrations but also provides a cost-effective way to control emissions at the source. When combined with continuous detection and repair programs, these techniques form a powerful system for both improving safety and cutting emissions across the sector.
Improved equipment design
Preventing fugitive emissions at the source is often more effective than repairing them after they occur. Many leaks arise from ageing infrastructure, poor seals or outdated equipment not designed with methane management in mind. By investing in modern equipment such as low-emission valves, improved seals and high-performance compressors, companies can dramatically reduce the likelihood of leaks. Advances in materials science and engineering now allow for components that are more durable and resistant to wear, even under high-pressure operating conditions common in oil and gas.
In mining operations, innovative equipment is being paired with systems designed to manage large volumes of ventilation air. Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) systems, including technologies such as VAMMIT and VAMCAT, are specifically designed to capture or destroy methane in mine ventilation flows. Because ventilation networks move vast amounts of air, even small methane concentrations represent a significant source of emissions. Improved design, paired with advanced VAM systems, provides a proactive way to tackle methane before it escapes into the atmosphere.
Methane capture and utilisation
Methane is not just a harmful greenhouse gas. It is also a valuable energy source. Instead of allowing fugitive gas to escape into the atmosphere, companies can invest in technologies that capture and reuse it. Captured methane can be redirected into existing gas supply chains, converted into liquefied natural gas (LNG) or used onsite for power generation. In some cases, methane from coal mines or gas fields can even be repurposed for the production of hydrogen, supporting Australia’s transition to cleaner fuels.
Gas enrichment and utilisation technologies are advancing quickly. By concentrating methane from ventilation systems and redirecting it into productive uses, operators can generate electricity using turbine systems or supply enriched gas into domestic and LNG markets. More advanced extraction techniques are also emerging, combining stress relief with surface well extraction to improve efficiency and recover greater volumes of methane directly from coal seams. These approaches create a win-win scenario by reducing emissions while also producing valuable energy.
Data and reporting transparency
Accurate measurement and transparent reporting of fugitive emissions is critical to building trust with regulators, investors and the broader community. Without reliable data it is impossible to track progress or demonstrate accountability. Modern digital platforms now allow real-time monitoring of methane emissions, providing companies with actionable insights to reduce leaks before they escalate.
These platforms are also helping operators demonstrate the effectiveness of new technologies such as pre-mining drainage, VAM systems and methane capture projects. By adopting internationally recognised reporting standards and embracing independent verification, companies can highlight the measurable results of these initiatives. Beyond compliance, transparent reporting strengthens investor confidence, as global markets increasingly favour operators who take visible steps to manage climate risk. Transparency transforms emissions management from a back-office activity into a public commitment to responsible energy practices, reinforcing industry credibility during the energy transition.
CS Gas and a cleaner energy future
At CS Gas, we recognise that the future of energy requires both innovation and accountability.
By supporting projects that monitor and reduce fugitive gas, and by investing in transitional and renewable energy solutions, we are helping Australian industries move towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
Managing fugitive gas is not just about compliance, it’s about leadership in the transition to net zero. Every step we take to reduce emissions today makes a measurable difference for the future of our environment, our industries, and our communities.
References:
- AUSIMM Australian Fugitive Methane Reduction Case Study
- CSIRO Fugitive Emissions Abatement
- CSIRO A techno-economic analysis of coal-mine fugitive-emission reduction strategies in Australia
- Research Gate Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
- IEEFA Prioritising methane abatement makes economic sense