improving pipeline integrity- ge's industrial internet monitors vitally important energy...
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By combining powerful analytical techniques with its history of manufacturing excellence, GE is using its Industrial Internet strategy to help customers make significant efficiency and monetary gains. The Oil and Gas sector is particularly relevant as rising energy demands and the increasing challenge of accessing reserves means that making the sector more productive is paramount. By placing sensors on oil and gas pipelines, GE is able to harvest, collate and analyse vast quantities of data that can prevent unnecessary downtime and promote more proficient ways of working.
One such example is GE Oil and Gas’ pipeline impact detection system ThreatScan™. The system monitors pipelines in real time to detect signs of external impact which could damage the pipe . Any impact on the pipe wall generates an acoustic noise which spreads inside the pipeline. Acoustic sensors installed along the pipeline detect these changes and alert a GE Monitoring Centre.
Correlations between two or more sensors are then performed at the GE Monitoring Centre to confirm and localise where the impact has occurred.
An impact notification message is sent directly to the customer who
will take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk.
Fluxys, a natural gas infrastructure company, has tested various impact monitoring systems and certified the ThreatScan™ system at the end of 2011 through a European joint research project.
In 2012, they installed 39 sensors to cover two 36” pipelines (160 km each) linking the Netherlands border to the French border.
The ThreatScan™ system has been fully operational since January 2013, and permanently monitors these two pipelines against possible third party damage.
As Fluxys’ use of the ThreatScan™ system demonstrates, the Industrial Internet that sees the synthesis of big data analytics with GE’s expertise as an equipment manufacturer has great potential to help customers become more efficient, and promote safet. Both of these are vitally important in the Oil and Gas Industry, both now and in the future.
Joanna Osborn Lead Communicator Global Services GE Oil & Gas
T +39 055 423 3615 M +39 345 377 6304 E [email protected]
ThreatScan™ is a Trademark of PII Limited
ImprovIng pIpelIne IntegrIty wIth the threatscan™ system – ge’s IndustrIal Internet monItors vItally Important energy Infrastructure
Oil & Gasindustrial internet in action
top: GE hydrophone (acoustic sensor) installed on Fluxys pipeline
middle and bottom: Engineers testing the ThreatScan equipment on Fluxys pipeline