Pipers - Pipeline Integrity Monitoring System
INGU’s Pipers® solution pairs a baseball-sized free-floating multi-sensor system with AI powered data analytics and a GIS Pipeline viewer. The Pipers® solution accurately identifies and locates potential issues such as leaks, deposits, and changes in the pipeline wall that threaten pipeline health. Pipers® are suitable for all pipelines, independent of pipeline diameter and material, and are certified to be used while the pipeline is in operation. The information provided allows you to prioritize when and where action is needed to keep your pipelines operate safely and reliably.
Pipers® are a one solution fits all approach. In a single inspection, data is gathered on a broad range of safety and performance aspects of the pipeline. This makes the Pipers® the ideal tool to support the decision making in pipeline safety programs. An overview of the services is given in the following table.
Pipers® ‘listen’ for leaks while flowing through the pipeline. Because the Pipers® are free-floating, there is limited to no background noise, making the Pipers® an ultra sensitive leak detection tool. To put it simple, if you can hear the leak, Pipers® can.
Particularly in high consequence areas like river crossings, road crossings, and pipelines passing in or under lakes, Pipers® are the go-to solution to pinpoint the leaks.
With 100 pressure measurements per second, i.e. every 2.5cm (1 inch) at a 2m/s (6.5 ft/s) flow speed, Pipers® provide a detailed pressure profile over the full length of the pipeline.
Using the fact that the change in pressure over distance is a function of pipeline roughness and diameter, a highly accurate deposit profile can be derived from the pressure information.
With 100 pressure measurements per second, i.e. every 2.5cm (1 inch) at a 2m/s (6.5 ft/s) flow speed, Pipers® provide a detailed pressure profile over the full length of the pipeline.
Using the fact that the change in pressure over distance is a function of pipeline roughness and diameter, a highly accurate deposit profile can be derived from the pressure information.
Comparing this deposit profile before and after a pipeline cleaning campaign, will demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning and identify areas where additional efforts are required.
Using the on-board inertial measurement unit, Pipers® measure bend angle, bend radius, and bend direction.
Whether you want to determine if a line can be inspected by a conventional inline inspection tool (smart pig) or simply want to know where the pipeline is located, Pipers® will provide you with the required information.
Pipers® can determine the pipeline path and geometry by combining the information provided by the full sensor suite.
Elevation and heading of the pipeline are directly measured and combined with bend angles, weld patterns, and spool lengths. This allows for a reconstruction of the pipeline path and a visualization in the pipeline viewer.
Pipers® measure absolute flow velocity over the full length allowing to identify and locate flow restrictions.
While flowing through the pipeline, Pipers® continuously measure the pipeline’s magnetic flux. Using this information, a spool-based metal loss analysis can be performed. Spools are categorized in no or minimal, medium, and severe metal loss, and a confidence level will be assigned.
Pipers® serve as an in-between solution between hydrostatic testing and conventional inline inspection tools (smart pigs), and as such help operators keep their pipelines safe.
While flowing through the pipeline, Pipers® continuously measure the pipeline’s magnetic flux. Using this information, (illegal) hot taps can be identified and localized.
Pipers® offer the only scalable solution to proactively address the environmental, human, and financial risks associated with (illegal) hot taps.
As part of the inspection deliverables, the results from a Pipers® pipeline inspection can be presented in INGU’s Pipeline viewer. An interactive geographic information system (GIS) environment that shows the inspection results on a satellite map.
The pipeline path including the launch and receive locations will be marked. Depending on the pipeline inspection service selected, also joints, bends, leaks, air pockets, metal loss, hot taps, etc… will be marked. Clicking on a marker will provide specific information for that marker. The pipe tally can also be downloaded.
It is also possible to upload other inspection data and see the comparison in the Pipeline viewer. And full visibility across your pipeline assets equals comprehensive insight and control.
Self-serve system
Maximum control to deploy when and where needed
100% uptime
Designed for use under operational conditions
Access to all pipelines
Effectively assess any pipeline diameter and material
10x cost advantage
Affordability and ease of use means more visibility more often
Multi sensor inspections
Information about leaks, deposits, and changes in the pipeline wall in a single run
Rich datasets library
Leverage historical data for unprecedented analysis