Robust hydrocarbon pipeline monitoring and maintenance is important for both public safety and the environment. Pipeline ruptures can cause damaging explosions, while pipeline leaks can release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.
“Gas distribution companies in 2011 reported releasing 69 billion cubic feet of natural gas to the atmosphere, almost enough to meet the state of Maine’s gas needs for a year and equal to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of about six million automobiles.” Gas distribution is only a portion of the network of hydrocarbon pipelines…
Companies that operate pipelines are using aerial surveying with LiDAR to inspect their large network of pipelines. Below are some of the items to monitor for a pipeline survey:
- Land Shift: The 3-D scan of the pipeline can show position change over time as the land shifts.
- Right of Way: Pipeline operators have strict requirements about having space around their pipelines to perform maintenance and repairs.
- Leak detection: Laser scanning with a spectrometer can detect methane which is a sign of natural gas leaks.
Both PG&E and BP are using aerial LiDAR to inspect their pipeline infrastructure. Other Pipeline operators are also adopting this technology as it becomes easier to get intelligence on their vast pipeline networks.