Turkey’s Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) is significantly enhancing its operational safety and integrity management through the adoption of digital twin technology, an innovative tool increasingly used across the global oil and gas industry.

Suleyman Suleymanov, TANAP's Integrity Management Manager, explained to Azernews how the system is being integrated into the company's operations to enhance pipeline safety by helping predict and mitigate pipeline hazards. 

A digital twin is a sophisticated virtual replica of a physical asset, integrating engineering data, geographic information, and inspection results to create a 3D visualization of the pipeline infrastructure.

This technology enables the company to simulate various operational scenarios through predictive digital modelling, more accurately assess risks, and make better-informed maintenance and safety decisions.

TANAP has established the foundation of its digital twin model using GIS-enabled platforms and WebGIS, with the initial step involving generating a detailed 3D model from aerial surveys and photogrammetric inspections. 

These 3D models are then combined with engineering, construction, and "as-built" data to create the second level of digital twin maturity, according to Suleymanov.

A critical advantage of the technology is its capacity to manage operational challenges unique to TANAP's route, which spans diverse terrains and climatic zones across Türkiye. Suleymanov stressed that climate change is a significant integrity challenge, making predictive modeling essential.

For instance, in areas susceptible to heavy rainfall, the system can model flood risks, allowing the company to forecast potential hazards and implement mitigation measures, such as enhancing drainage systems and engineering protections.

Digital twins also play a critical role in strengthening traditional risk-based inspection (RBI) methods. Instead of relying on semi-quantitative RBI assessments for threats like corrosion, the dynamic, data-rich insights provided by the digital twin allow operators to prioritize and focus on the most critical risks.

Suleymanov noted that the company plans to move toward real-time monitoring and predictive capabilities, ultimately aiming for an autonomous or fully integrated digital twin. 

TANAP’s strategic use of digital technology marks a major step in modernizing pipeline integrity management to support the safe and reliable transportation of natural gas.