Advanced Development of Proactive Infrasonic Gas Pipeline Evaluation Network

Project Categories

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• Onshore Transmission Pipeline
• Gas Pipeline
• Liquid Pipeline
• Damage Prevention
• Rights-of-Way
• Outside Force Damage

Main Objective

The primary objective of this project is to advance the PIGPEN technology to pre-production status by completing development of advanced algorithms, field testing in a range of pre-production scenarios and developing practical procedures for deploying and utilizing the technology. This effort will address PHMSA's and Industry's need to develop technology that will monitor encroachment and prevent damage while construction equipment is digging and/or boring.

Public Abstract

The gas industry operates a widely diverse and critical infrastructure with a high standard of safety. Third-party damage is one of the leading causes of compromise to safety in our industry. PHMSA has listed as one of its top priorities and challenges the need to monitor encroachment to the pipeline and to PREVENT third party damage. The project is targeted to complete the development of the Proactive Infrasonic Gas Pipeline Evaluation Network (PIGPEN) which is an autonomous distributed sensor and notification system previously developed by PSI and sponsored by NYSEARCH and DOT/PHMSA. In support of the work, the technical team has partnered with a commercial company who specializes in protection of oil and gas pipelines. NYSEARCH and PRCI have agreed to provide cash and in-kind support for this two-phase project over a two-year period.
The project will consist of refining and proving the signal processing algorithm, simplifying the design and conducting controlled and field testing in multiple iterations. Through NYSEARCH and PRCI, the gas distribution and transmission sectors will play a key role in guiding the developer and commercializer in end user needs, evaluating the results of this work and in preparing and implementing tests on this product. The commercial partner will provide significant in-kind funding and will be transitioning to take over responsibility for the product.