Texas Unlocks Faster Path to OGI-Based LDAR Compliance for Oil & Gas

Key takeaways 

• Texas now allows oil and gas operators to adopt optical gas imaging (OGI) at sites authorized by Standard Permit or PBR without permit updates or AMOC approvals  
• OGI programs that meet NSPS Subpart OOOO series requirements are now considered equivalent to State SP and PBR and 30 TAC Chapter 115 requirements 
• An OGI-based LDAR program reduces compliance cost, time and operational risk while maintaining emissions controls and regulatory compliance 

Simplified pathway for LDAR compliance In Texas 

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) released new guidance that simplifies the compliance pathway for oil and gas operators to transition from Method 21 (M21)-based leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs to OGI-based programs.  

Any site authorized by either Standard Permit or Permit by Rule can transition to an NSPS Subpart OOOO series-compliant OGI LDAR program without navigating the TCEQ Alternative Method of Control (AMOC) process or updating their permits. The Subpart OOOO series-compliant program will also be considered equivalent to 30 TAC Chapter 115 LDAR requirements.  

Texas Standard Permits, Permits by Rule and 30 TAC Chapter 115 have traditionally required Method 21-based LDAR programs, with any transition to OGI requiring an Alternative Method of Control (AMOC) and permit updates. 

Under this new TCEQ guidance, operators can now reference the agency memo to demonstrate equivalency, enabling OGI adoption without permit changes for programs aligned with NSPS Subpart OOOO, OOOOa or OOOOb. 

This policy applies broadly across eligible oil and gas sites, with a few key exceptions. Natural gas processing plants subject to NSPS Subpart OOOO or OOOOa must still complete one annual M21 survey, while case-by-case New Source Review sites and operators pursuing other EPA-approved alternatives under OOOOb must continue with the permit amendment and/or AMOC process.  

Why OGI-based LDAR programs are the future for oil & gas plants 

OGI offers measurable operational advantages compared to Method 21, and this change from TCEQ shows that the regulatory tides are continuing to shift toward technologies that are both efficient and effective. 

• Speed and scale: On average, a 10,000-component site can be surveyed in about 1.5 days with OGI vs 20 days using M21 
• Safer inspections: Technicians can detect leaks from ground level, reducing exposure to confined spaces or the need for scaffolding and lifts 
• Broader detection coverage: OGI can capture emissions from components that M21 cannot, including insulated valves and thief hatches 
• Lower cost: Operators can reduce LDAR program costs by up to 30% through fewer labor hours and streamlined maintenance workflows 

Most importantly, when performed correctly, OGI provides emissions control that is equivalent to and often better than that achieved through traditional M21 programs, with further enhancements available through Appendix K methodology when required.  

Equilibrium is coming to a volatile oil & gas landscape 

Increasingly, agencies are moving toward performance-based programs, rewarding outcomes over rigid methods. This TCEQ policy shift aligns with recent federal updates as well, that reduce monitoring burden in certain applications. 

Here are the next steps that every oil & gas operator in Texas should take right now: 

• Work with a trusted partner to evaluate your current LDAR program for OGI readiness 
• Confirm eligibility based on permit type and scope 
• Align OGI implementation with applicable OOOO-series regulatory programs 
• Assess digital tools that automate documentation, maintenance workflows and audit trails 
• Plan for a hybrid approach when limited M21 surveys remain a requirement 

The ability to modernize LDAR programs in a way that greatly increases operational efficiency without sacrificing compliance or cost is a clear advantage. TCEQ just made that pathway much easier for oil & gas plants.  

If you are ready to move quickly to reduce costs, improve safety and strengthen your compliance programs, get in touch to begin your transition to a future-proof LDAR program.