Gas leaks detection using passive thermal infrared hyperspectral imaging

There are many types of natural gas fields including shale formations which are common especially in the St-Lawrence Valley (Canada). Since methane (CH₄), the major component of shale gas, is odorless, colorless and highly flammable, in addition of being a greenhouse gas, methane emanations and/or leaks are important to consider for both safety and environmental reasons. On this regard, passive remote sensing represents an interesting approach since it allows characterization of large areas from a safe location. In order to illustrate the potential of passive thermal infrared hyperspectral imaging for research on natural gas, imaging was carried out on a shale gas leak that unexpectedly happened during a geological survey near Hospital Enfant-Jesus (Québec City, Canada) in December 2016. Quantitative methane imaging was carried out based on its unique infrared spectral signature. The results show how this novel technique could be used for advanced research on shale gases.