Installation across the US has been announced in effort to prevent gas pipeline leaks
Pipeline technology company PipeSense has installed three advanced systems using AI-enhanced pipeline monitoring and leak detection across the USA with assistance from energy control systems company EnControl providing control room capabilities.
Specialised solution ‘PipeSentry’ was deployed to separate natural gas systems in the American Midwest and one natural gas liquid system in the South. For the last year PipeSense has developed and delivered technologies to aid pipeline operators combat leaks.
PipeSense president and CTO Stuart Mitchell said: “It’s great to be working alongside EnControl for these projects and to know that its team is committed to enhancing pipeline integrity and pushing back against the damage caused by leaks. Throughout the USA, pipeline leaks cost operators and the economy billions in damages and lost productivity.”
Mitchell added: “We are determined to make a lasting difference via the technology we develop and install, so these three new projects will be further proof of that. As a leader in compliance, EnServ Solutions has seen first-hand the value of what we can provide. We look forward to seeing the long-term results.”
Kansas and Michigan are two natural gas sites receiving the pipesentry system, providing continuous leak detection monitoring. This has been achieved by also using pipeguard which tests have shown to not give false positive results, showing a high level of reliability. This system is also deployed at the natural gas liquid system in Tennessee.
An automatic shut-in valve (ASV) control was requested at one site location which was possible due to the customised system configuration capabilities. Delivery and installation took place in Q2 and Q3 of 2024, with PipeSense saying customers will experience the results of mitigating the risks soon.
Brandon Clemons, president of EnControl said: “At EnControl, we specialise in providing comprehensive 24/7 remote control and monitoring services for critical pipeline assets. Our partnership with PipeSense enables us to deliver advanced leak detection technology, offering real-time monitoring and shutdown capabilities in response to leaks.”
Clemons added: “As regulations surrounding leak detection become increasingly stringent, with agencies like PHMSA and EPA tightening requirements to ensure safety and environmental protection, EnControl is committed to staying ahead of these changes. Our dedication to maintaining pipeline integrity means we continuously adapt our systems and practices to meet evolving standards, ensuring that our clients' operations are not only compliant but also secure and reliable.”
These developments come after pipesense had expanded its technology portfolio to incorporate high-consequences areas (HCA’s) throughout the Permian Basin, as well as California, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
