Modern businesses, corporations and industries worldwide use technology to maximize their growth and create more efficient, safer processes. Technology continues to advance to reach smaller niches and push limits, with AI leading the charge. AI provides powerful data analytics, enabling businesses and decision-makers to make accurate insights.
Pipeline companies are beginning to explore data-driven technology, increasing the safety of oil and gas transportation, and leading to improved practices throughout the industry. Updating outdated systems and turning to modern technology improves operations, allowing the industry to grow and effectively serve more areas.
AI maintains an extensive network of data to retain and store all parts of the pipeline process, from construction to removal. How can companies use pipeline inspection technology and data to their advantage?
Pipeline Integrity Management
Pipeline integrity management (PI) ensures safe operations by preventing environmental hazards, pipeline ruptures, and oil and gas leaks. The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration implemented the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 to monitor PI operations, providing professionals with specific testing guidelines.
The act administered research, development, demonstration and standardization programs, giving pipeline facilities the tools and knowledge for proper PI. There are three forms of testing to monitor PI risks:
- Assessment: Identifies potential PI threats through software, surveillance cameras, fiber-optic testing and temperature sensors.
- PI planning: Implements a set company plan of action for repairs, preventive maintenance and monitoring for corrosion.
- Project management: Includes corrosion management, data management, third-party verification and more to maintain long-term PI.
The pipes are not the only thing saved from corrosion when pipeline facilities follow PI guidelines and administer proper assessment, planning and management – the global economy also benefits. The pipeline industry saves between $375 and $875 billion annually through corrosion control practices.
Problems Faced by Outdated Pipeline Management
Although pipelines are the safest mode of transportation for oil, gas and petroleum, they can be highly dangerous if left unmonitored. Outdated pipeline management systems suffer from delays, shutdowns and inaccurate data – all risk factors that can lead to various issues.
Gas pipelines can corrode if not adequately monitored, leading to leaks and explosions that can damage ecosystems and drain into water supplies. It is vital to update aging systems to avoid large-scale events like oil spills and natural gas leaks. In addition to environmental risks, outdated systems can cause other issues, including the following:
Fragmented Documentation
Old systems document business transactions and work in hardcopy formats, making retrieving needed sources extremely difficult. Wasting time digging for papers that may or may not exist reduces efficiency, decreases customer satisfaction, and produces errors.
Operational Errors and Equipment Failure
No one is exempt from human error. Efficient monitoring of pipes, machinery and equipment is difficult, especially with the risk of pipe corrosion. Leaks or ruptures could be catastrophic. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a prime example. A failure in the blowout preventer resulted in the release of millions of barrels of oil, causing large-scale problems.
How Do Data-Driven Insights Work?
Data-driven insights are powered by large datasets created by AI, primarily for pattern recognition and predictive modeling. They are assembled using AI algorithms designed to eliminate the need for manual imputing.
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI that aims to allow machines to learn patterns and make decisions based on data. Both AI and ML rely on the development of algorithms to make perception and problem-solving easier for humans.
AI uses real-time Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to access more data than ever before. It can analyze information from hundreds of sources to discover patterns and problems that humans would likely miss.
AI takes data previously collected by pipeline operators and brings it to the next level. They can use AI-powered data-driven insights for a pure artificial intelligence model or a hybrid approach. Both options go beyond the reach of classical analytical methods.
Benefits of Using Data-Driven Insights
The potential for AI is expanding daily, providing new benefits and advantages to industry professionals at an advanced speed. AI offers extreme flexibility and accuracy in pipeline management, driven by the ability to adapt to changing conditions and data patterns. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:
Optimized Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is used to prevent delays and downtime. AI uses it to anticipate needs, providing pipeline operators with constant access to real-time updates. This eliminates corrosion concerns, as people have direct access to the status of each pipeline. Predictive maintenance can:
- Reduce downtime
- Increase profitability
- Improve safety
- Boost equipment reliability
- Decrease delays
- Identify potential leak locations
Real-Time Data Access
Data-driven insights provide everyone involved in the pipeline process with real-time data access. Business leaders, policymakers, engineers, stakeholders and employees can view the status. This high-level transparency allows them to receive updates, enforcing collaboration and making mistakes impossible to miss. AI optimizes leak detection by allowing pipeline operators to see where and when oil and gas leaks could occur so they can be caught before they have time to develop.
Energy-Efficient Pumps and Compressors
Pipeline businesses that use data-driven insights to monitor processes reduce energy usage. Pumps and compressors play a significant role in pipeline infrastructure by moving oil and gas through and maintaining a steady flow of hydrocarbons. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pumping systems can account for 20%-40% of energy savings. AI allows for monitoring and maintaining pumps and compressors, eliminating extra power use.
Improved Pipeline Inspection Technology
Vibroacoustic technology (VT) is a monitoring tool used for pipeline inspection to detect leaks and precursor events. It detects and resolves issues using micro-vibrations, pressure and sound. AI technology takes VT to the next level, decreasing delays and creating minimal error rates. Data-driven systems ensure pipeline operators have a continuous view of operations. This new system minimizes the flaws present in traditional approaches, allowing for an improved and advanced inspection system.
Data-Driven Insights: The Future of Pipeline Technology
AI is constantly growing, and it continues to adapt to serve all sorts of industries. Corrosion concerns were once at the forefront of the pipeline business, but powerful technology and transparent access to real-time data make spotting problems much easier. Data-driven insights will continue to drive the industry, leading to a safer, more efficient future.
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, an online magazine discussing the latest industry innovations and trends.
