Picarro Surveyor™ – Driven to find gas leaks for your safety

Offering superior natural gas leak detection

Prioritizing your safety

At CenterPoint Energy, we are committed to delivering natural gas safely to the communities we serve. That’s why we contracted with Picarro, a company that developed the Picarro Surveyor™, a special vehicle designed to detect methane (natural gas) and ethane levels in the air – which may indicate that there is a natural gas leak.

The Picarro Surveyor detects methane in the air from gas leaks in real-time, typically at night, while traveling through neighborhoods at posted speed. When a leak indication is detected, it is mapped and sent to a technician to investigate. If a leak is confirmed, CenterPoint crews are notified.

You mostly see Picarro vehicles driven at night because the optimum survey time is at night when the air is cooler and there is less traffic. The calmer atmosphere results in a more accurate leak indication location.

A traditional leak detection system is manual, labor-intensive and paper-based. The Picarro Surveyor™ is a modern system with distinct advantages:

  • Estimated to be much stronger and more accurate than traditional detection methods
  • Identifies areas that may result in a gas leak
  • Operates on a 10-hour evening shift
  • More accurate and timely than previous detection systems

Natural gas safety

Natural gas leaks can be very dangerous. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they can also affect the air quality. That’s why we invest in cutting-edge technology like the Picarro Surveyor to be proactive and prevent any safety concerns.

If you suspect a natural gas leak:

 

Leave the area immediately on foot and do not operate cell phones, cars or anything that might cause a spark.

 

Contact CenterPoint or 911 from a safe location.

 

Warn others to stay away from the gas leak.

Learn more about natural gas safety


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