Pipeline managers need timely and actionable reports that allow them to get in front of potential problems, says Jesse Hughes, Orbital Sidekick, USA. Compliance with PHMSA parts 192 or 195 for transmission pipelines generally begins with routine visual observation from small aircraft at about 2000 ft (700 m) above ground level (AGL). Through this approach, certain macro threats to the assets can be spotted and reported quickly. Unfortunately, the results are subjective at best, and tend to be inconsistent while real threats and even active leaks remain undetected. Despite real dollars being spent to achieve this compliance objective, operators recognise that the resulting reports (and reporting)leave much to be desired. As a result, new and novel technical monitoring solutions are proliferating. We see this with inline product densitometers and in-situ leak detection probes on our pipelines, as well as lane-drift and tyre pressure alerts on our automobiles. We are witnessing the dawn of a new space age where commercial access to space has become a reality. Given this, have the days of routine visual aerial patrol become numbered?
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