Digitalization

Pipeline Integrity Management Systems (PIMS) have significantly improved the safety of pipelines in Europe and the United States. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and modern Geographic Information System (GIS) visualization can and will elevate pipeline integrity to a new level. However, challenges for pipeline integrity have...

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing is a highly sensitive technology for leak detection that can provide rapid detection and precise locating of small leaks. The evidence from field trials and real-world leaks is becoming increasingly available and more and more pipelines are implementing the technology for leak detection. Under controlled testing, it...

Effective monitoring and anomaly detection are fundamental prerequisites for safeguarding the efficiency, integrity and reliability of pipeline systems. Here, we explore both physics-based and machine-learning approaches for operational asset monitoring and anomaly detection, as well as evaluate their performance and appropriateness across a...

This study rigorously validates run comparison (RC) software, essential for accurate corrosion growth rate assessments in pipelines, using an extensive synthetic dataset and an experimental K-nearest neighbours-based algorithm across 2,000 diverse spools. Detailed within the paper are the synthetic data generation, in-line inspection (ILI) run...

Operators need to keep their pipelines fit for purpose, maximize life and control costs. External corrosion is one of the main threats faced by operators, costing millions annually in identification, mitigation and repair. Although many methods exist to model the growth of corrosion features, the situation is often most complicated for “unpiggable”...

Conventional inline inspection (ILI) tools use odometer wheels to determine the location of identified defects. On top of that, above ground markers (AGMs) are used to confirm and potentially correct for odometer wheel slippage. Free-floating unconventional ILI tools use information from a variety of sensors to accurately locate defects. Accurately...

This work focuses on the application of artificial intelligence methods to enhance pipeline monitoring systems, specifically Third-Party Interference (TPI) and leak detection. A critical aspect of pipeline monitoring revolves around determining the operational state of the pipeline. This is paramount because the processing algorithms are...

Hyperspectral imagery (HSI) began in the 1980s and has been used by the U.S. government for years, but it just recently became available for commercial use. This technology has a vast range of potential applications, with oil and gas pipeline monitoring being one of the most prominent examples. HSI enables unparalleled daily global pipeline leak...

Defect severity classification holds significant importance within industries that prioritize quality control. This study proposes a novel approach that applies machine learning with Stress Concentration Tomography (SCT) to effectively categorize defects’ severity. Through the utilization of machine learning algorithms, the objective is to enhance...

Pipeline networks traverse modern societies' national territories and can be located in areas difficult to access, such as river crossings, making maintenance logistically challenging and potentially dangerous for field personnel. In order to resolve this problem, Skipper NDT has developed an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for magnetic mapping which...

CO2 is a fundamental building block in the global decarbonization process. In order to successfully develop the individual processes for the separation of CO2 in the coming years, a reliable transport network, for example via pipelines, is a key issue. Here, process analytics plays an important role here to efficiently monitor and control the...

Pipeline operators are obliged to regularly monitor their pipeline grid for potential third-party interferences (TPI). They need a reliable, cost-effective method to acquire and analyze aerial images of their pipeline in an automated process. This paper presents the concept of AIMI (Airborne Intelligent Monitoring of Infrastructures), a project...

For the past decades, helicopter surveys have been the state-of-the-art solution for right-of-way (ROW) monitoring to protect pipelines from third-party-interferences (TPI’s). When TPI activities damage a pipeline, it can lead to disastrous events. Therefore, aerial inspection early-warning systems are used to mitigate these risks. Recent...

How the BIL-portal delivers significant value to an infrastructure-network carrier in efficiently processing planning and construction enquiries from third parties. A portal connection and communication process without media discontinuity leads to lower enquiry volume with simultaneously increasing number of relevant enquiries and allows digital...

Atmos International (Atmos) is continuously working with the pipeline industry to develop solutions to overcome operational challenges. Atmos Simulation (SIM) Suite is an op erational tool that users can trust to help operators run their pipelines safely, efficiently and with clarity and visibility. Atmos SIM Online, working in real-time, performs...