The camera is the cheap part. Before you drop six figures on optical gas imaging, here’s the real math on running OGI in-house versus bringing in a crew.
The sticker price vs. the total cost
A certified, refinery-grade OGI camera is a serious capital purchase — commonly quoted in the low six figures (roughly $90,000–$125,000+ for an intrinsically-safe unit with the right lens). But the camera is only the first line on the invoice. The real cost of running OGI in-house includes:
- Trained, qualified operators — OGI is only as good as the person holding it; thermographer training and currency aren’t optional.
- Annual maintenance and recalibration to keep the camera defensible.
- Data and reporting software to turn video into an audit-ready record.
- The Method 21 gap — OGI finds leaks fast, but most subparts still need Method 21 concentration counts for compliance. A camera doesn’t replace your Method 21 program.
When buying in-house makes sense
- One large, fixed site with frequent, year-round survey needs
- Dedicated staff you can keep trained and current
- You already run a mature Method 21 program the camera supplements
When outsourcing wins
- Variable or seasonal monitoring needs — you pay per survey, not per idle camera
- You want audit-ready records without building and staffing a program from scratch
- You need Method 21 and OGI run by people who read the applicable subpart for your units
Frequently asked
How much does an OGI camera cost?
A certified, intrinsically-safe refinery-grade optical gas imaging camera is generally in the low six figures — commonly quoted around $90,000 to $125,000 or more depending on lens and configuration. Training, maintenance, recalibration, and software add ongoing cost on top.
Does OGI replace Method 21?
No. OGI is excellent for finding leaks fast and covering hard-to-reach components, but most subparts still require Method 21 concentration measurements for compliance counts. In practice the two are used together — OGI to find, Method 21 to prove.
Is it cheaper to outsource LDAR than buy a camera?
It depends on how often you survey. For variable or seasonal needs, outsourcing avoids the capital cost plus the ongoing training, maintenance, and software burden — and you get an audit-ready program without staffing one. For a single large site with constant needs, in-house can pencil out.
This is general information, not a regulatory applicability determination or legal advice. Rules, deadlines, and how they apply change and depend on your specific equipment, permit, and facility. Confirm your obligations with a qualified professional or your permitting authority.
Two tools that keep your LDAR program ahead of the rule
The same regulatory engine we run for clients, put in your hands.
EHS Compliance Hub
Track every LDAR rule, Federal Register update, and compliance deadline that hits your facility — in one place, updated live. Free to use.
QuickScope™
Database-driven field inspections powered by the same rules engine as the Hub — built to make LDAR surveys faster and audit-ready.