Celle-Uelzen: Drone hunt for dangerous methane leaks started!

Celle-Uelzen: Drone hunt for dangerous methane leaks started!

In the coming weeks, the network operator Celle-Uelzen Netz GmbH (CUN) will take action because the company is taking care of an important safety measure: checking its high-pressure natural gas pipelines. Starting today, October 27, 2025, these lines, which extend over 180 kilometers in the Celle and Uelzen districts, will undergo a comprehensive inspection. Possible leaks can be detected using modern drone technology. The drone used uses special laser technology to detect methane, the main component of natural gas, which is more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide. The aim of these inspections is not only to ensure the safety of the gas network, but also to ensure compliance with new EU regulations for reducing methane emissions.

Although the checks are not a common sight, they are carried out officially and must be accepted by the public. CUN has commissioned the Hamburg company Beagle Systems to carry out these drone flights. The drone operations will start at altitudes between 40 and 100 meters and are expected to last until the end of November 2025. Almost 100 kilometers of the conductive infrastructure is outdoors and is expected to be monitored by the drones during this period.

The EU regulation and its meaning

But what is actually behind these measures? The decisive factor is the European Parliament's new regulations, which came into force on August 5, 2024 and are aimed at reducing methane emissions in the energy sector. Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, which amends the existing regulation from 2019, requires operators to carry out regular systematic reviews. Municipalities and companies are forced to document and prove their methane emissions in order to comply with legal requirements. The regulations apply to all member states of the European Economic Area and ensure that a sustainable gas supply is guaranteed. This information, along with the requirements, is also published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The special thing about the drone technology used is that it meets the requirements of the EU Methane Regulation. The TDLAS method used for leak detection can achieve more accurate and reliable results. The measurement data is verified and can be documented and integrated into internal testing processes, which is of great importance for all energy infrastructure operators.

Practical implementation and costs

However, these drone flights are not only a technical luxury, they also come with costs. The price for the missions depends on the effort and scope of the flight. Factors such as the length of the route and the complexity of the area of ​​operation play an important role. In general, under typical conditions, between 50 and 100 kilometers of pipeline can be inspected on one day, with the actual flight time only being around five and a half hours. Additional planning, takeoff and landing maneuvers also count towards the total time.

CUN asks citizens to understand these agreed flights, which not only serve safety but also ecological responsibility. The technologies used here are not only forward-looking, but also crucial for the sustainable use of our resources. The coming weeks will therefore not only represent a technical test, but also a step towards a more responsible use of energy.