Zefiro Methane Corp. is teaming up with tech firms Geolabe and Keynum to find and repair old, leaking oil and gas wells. This effort will cut methane emissions using artificial intelligence. The partnership also aims to cut costs, speed up repairs, and share carbon credits better.
Zefiro Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Talal Debs commented,
“With millions of orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells spread throughout twenty-six different states, utilizing advanced solutions to locate and permanently plug more of these sites is essential. Both the Lifecycle Solution developed with CarbonAi and our partnerships with Geolabe and Keynum bring innovative technologies into this important endeavor, and our heightened ability to increase our project portfolio, reduce costs, and promote efficiencies throughout our operations solidifies Zefiro’s position as a market leader.”
Zefiro Invests in Smarter Methane Detection with AI
Satellites and AI are transforming how methane emissions are tracked. With real-time monitoring, companies can quickly detect and address leaks. Drones with infrared cameras further enhance detection at oil and gas sites, while automated systems improve data accuracy, reducing errors and increasing transparency. These tools make methane reduction efforts more effective and help strengthen carbon credit programs.
The press release mentions that Zefiro is betting on the advantage of these innovations by partnering with Geolabe and Keynum. On January 10, 2025, Zefiro signed an agreement with Geolabe to use its AI-powered satellite imaging system—the first fully automated tool for detecting methane emissions. This technology analyzes satellite images with unprecedented accuracy, and Zefiro will contribute real-world well data to further refine its capabilities.
Since December, Zefiro has also been working with Keynum, a firm specializing in AI and data science, to develop a dashboard that maps orphaned wells across multiple states. Keynum’s predictive modeling identifies wells with significant methane leaks, helping Zefiro prioritize repairs and accelerate carbon credit certification. These partnerships are positioning Zefiro as a leader in methane abatement, making the cleanup process faster, smarter, and more impactful
Turning Data into Climate Action
Zefiro already uses advanced monitoring and data analysis tools to detect and verify methane leaks. These technologies have been successfully used in multiple projects to improve detection and mitigation.
However, this time, it is taking a big step forward by launching Zefiro Lifecycle Solution. Developed with CarbonAi Inc., this new platform will simplify data collection and workflow management, making it easier and more cost-effective to seal abandoned wells. It will also speed up the certification of carbon offset credits by the American Carbon Registry, helping Zefiro maximize its impact in the fight against methane emissions.
Chief Technology Officer Richard Walker of Zefiro said,
“By harnessing the unique powers of artificial intelligence to process satellite imagery and the blockchain, Zefiro continues to find new ways to help stem the proliferation of orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells. These innovative solutions will expand our operational footprint, enable best-in-class economics for our carbon credit initiatives, promote certainty in our methodologies, and ensure the integrity of our plugging measurements to help more communities reclaim critical air, water, and land resources.”
Methane Leaks from Oil and Gas Wells Are a Major Climate Threat
Old, abandoned oil and gas wells can leak methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas. It traps heat 25 times better than carbon dioxide. It has caused 30% of the global temperature rise since the industrial revolution. This impact worsens climate change. It also pollutes water and harms human health.
A study from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) found that in 2018, the EPA estimated abandoned wells released 290 kilotons of methane. This equals burning over 16 million barrels of oil.
These unplugged wells leak methane and other harmful pollutants. This worsens the climate crisis and threatens public health. Sealing these wells quickly is vital for reducing emissions and protecting communities.
Zefiro Capitalizes on Growing Demand for Carbon Credits
Millions of abandoned oil and gas wells across 26 U.S. states leak methane, worsening climate change.
According to Zefiro, each well releases about 78 cubic meters of methane yearly. This adds up to nearly 23 million tons of CO2 equivalent. However, sealing them would cost over $600 billion.
So, how does Zefiro tackle this challenge? The company has created a toolkit to stop methane leaks, protecting land, air, and water. It offers top-notch methane offset credits from the U.S. It partners with businesses, government, and environmental groups. This strategy reduces emissions and attracts more investment to address the orphaned well crisis.
Methane Offset Credits in High Demand
- Methane reductions have an immediate climate impact due to methane’s potency.
- Carbon credits from methane abatement projects are valued for their strong environmental benefits.
- Unlike other carbon offsets, methane projects also improve local air quality.
A report by Climate Wells shows that since 2004, methane credits have cut just 19 million tons of CO2e. That’s less than 1% of the 4 billion tons reduced in voluntary carbon markets (VCM).
Demand is rising. Over the past year, methane credit retirements grew by more than 70%. This makes them one of the fastest-growing credit types on the market.
Last year in November, Zefiro’s subsidiary, Plants & Goodwin, Inc. (P&G), successfully sealed its first gas well in Custer County, Oklahoma. This deep gas well reached 15,000 feet underground. To seal it permanently, we removed 5,000 feet of casing. The project will create carbon offset credits approved by the American Carbon Registry.
In conclusion, Zefiro’s partnership with Geolabe and Keynum is a game-changer. By using AI to pinpoint major methane leaks, the company can tackle emissions more effectively. These advancements are expected to cut costs and boost methane capture by 50%.
