A New Milestone in Satellite-Based Methane Monitoring: METEC Validation with Momentick
- Momentick
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
The energy sector is under increasing pressure to reduce methane emissions and demonstrate compliance with global methane regulations. For operators aligned with OGMP 2.0 and other MRV frameworks, the challenge extends beyond detection. It lies in proving that reported data is verifiable and independently validated.
That is why the recent milestone at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) is so significant. With the inauguration of its new Satellite Controlled Release Rig, and Momentick serving as the validation collaborator, the industry is now moving closer to benchmarking ground truths for satellite-based methane monitoring.
Why Third-Party Validation Matters in Methane Monitoring
Trust has become the critical currency in emissions reporting. Operators know that regulators, investors, and the public are skeptical when emissions data comes directly from self-reported sources. Without third-party validation, methane data risks being viewed as incomplete or biased.
Frameworks like OGMP 2.0 and MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) expect credible, verifiable data to meet compliance and investor requirements. Until now, however, the industry has been constrained by outdated and inaccurate measurement benchmarks or a lack of reliable independent facilities capable of validating satellite methane monitoring technologies.
The result? Operators faced a trust gap that slowed the adoption of innovative methane monitoring systems, even when those systems offered cost-effective, scalable advantages.
What is METEC and Why This Facility is Groundbreaking
The Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) is an independent test facility operated by Colorado State University (CSU). METEC has long been recognized as a world leader in technology validation for small methane emissions, primarily for close proximity sensors, providing controlled environments in which new technologies can be evaluated against known standards.
In July 2025, METEC inaugurated its Satellite Controlled Release Rig, designed to release controlled amounts of methane at scheduled times. The rig enables testing of satellite-based technologies against known ground truth by aligning releases with satellite overpasses.
Momentick’s Role in METEC’s First Satellite Validation Test
To ensure its new Satellite Controlled Release Rig performed as designed under real-world conditions, METEC sought an independent collaborator to validate the system. The rig is capable of releasing controlled amounts of methane, operated remotely, enabling the testing whether satellites can detect and quantify emissions and to assess accuracy.
In the world of methane detection and quantification, often ground truth is rare. Ground truth means knowing the actual release rate, the “real event” against which measurements or outputs of algorithms can be compared. METEC’s controlled-release rig will provide a reliable benchmark that can be used to evaluate satellite-based technologies’ performance.
In July of 2025, METEC carried out two controlled methane releases of somewhat less than 700 kg/h. Using open satellite data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat, Momentick successfully detected and quantified the releases, while also collaborating with the METEC team to identify the optimal release conditions (including cloud cover, wind speed, and other atmospheric factors).
This validation was significant. A stationary, fully automatic controlled release facility is now operational and available to test satellite based technologies. This is a much needed addition to the methane monitoring landscape.
Building Trust in Satellite-Based MRV Systems
This milestone strengthens industry confidence in satellite monitoring as a reliable component of MRV systems. With independent validation, operators can finally trust that the data captured by satellites are not only accurate but also defensible under scrutiny.
By enabling transparency and accountability, METEC’s new facility supports compliance with OGMP 2.0 and some regulatory frameworks. Just as importantly, it begins to establish a path toward standardized benchmarks in satellite methane monitoring, a development the industry has been waiting for.
The Energy Sector’s Pain Point: Reliable MRV for Methane Reporting
Energy operators today are under pressure on multiple fronts:
Proving emissions data to regulators and investors.
Meeting stricter EU import rules and other global methane regulations.
Balancing the cost of compliance with the need for credibility.
Until now, many operators lacked access to tools that could meet these high standards in a cost-effective way. Without trusted third-party benchmarks, the adoption of satellite monitoring has been slow. Many operators feared that data gathered from satellites would not hold up under regulatory or investor inquiry.
The establishment of METEC’s new facility begins to close this credibility gap. By providing an independent environment for validation, METEC allows solutions like Momentick to demonstrate compliance-ready accuracy in methane monitoring. With METEC’s new facility and Momentick’s validated results, operators can feel confident to leverage satellite methane monitoring as a credible reporting tool.
This breakthrough positions satellite data not as an experimental add-on, but as a trusted component of global methane accountability.
What This Means for Operators and What’s Next
Independent validation is well on its way to becoming mandatory. For operators aiming to align with OGMP 2.0, achieve regulatory compliance, and maintain investor confidence, validated monitoring solutions are a requirement for credibility.
The results from METEC’s Satellite Controlled Release Rig show that satellite monitoring has reached a new level of maturity. Operators can now use this data to:
Support MRV reporting requirements.
Build investor trust by relying on independent, third-party validation.
Prepare for the industry’s movement toward standardized methane benchmarks.
Momentick continues to lead the industry by providing a software-only, satellite-based monitoring solution. Our system offers a cost-effective, scalable, and regulatory-grade approach to methane monitoring, designed for the reporting challenges operators face today.
Conclusion
The METEC validation marks a turning point for satellite methane monitoring. By combining independent third-party validation with proven detection and quantification accuracy, the industry can feel confident that it has a trusted validation facility for satellite-based MRV systems. For operators, this is more than a milestone, it’s an opportunity to move from uncertainty to confidence in their emissions reporting.
About Momentick
Momentick: A software-only methane monitoring system leveraging open satellite data. Momentick’s proprietary algorithms and time-series analysis enable accurate, cost-effective detection of methane emissions. Momentick empowers operators with scalable, regulatory-grade methane monitoring that supports compliance and reporting needs. Interested to learn more? feel free to reach out at contact@momentick.com