PipeSense to roll out technology for offshore operations globally

Pipeline leak detection specialist PipeSense has expanded its capabilities to support offshore operations globally, following a successful project off the coast of Angola

Offshore and subsea pipeline operators undertake highly complex work every day to safely operate, maintain, and protect critical infrastructure in some of the world’s most challenging environments. This requires a continued focus on asset integrity, operational reliability, and the ability to identify and respond to changing pipeline conditions with confidence.

Working with a multinational oil and gas operator, PipeSense deployed PipeScan, its pressure-pulse technology, to monitor a 20-inch natural gas pipeline and a 16-inch offshore crude and multiphase pipeline that was flooded with seawater.

On the natural gas pipeline, PipeSense completed repeated pressure pulse testing to identify an obstruction approximately 11km downstream of the client's launch facility

For the second project, PipeSense installed instrumentation on both ends of the offshore crude and multiphase pipeline. Controlled pressure releases from both locations generated repeatable reflection signatures that identified the obstruction within approximately 700 m of the launcher, with a location accuracy of approximately ±30 m under field conditions.

The projects demonstrated how induced pressure pulse testing, high-speed pressure acquisition, and dynamic pressure wave reflection analysis can be used to accurately determine obstruction location in offshore environments, without interrupting normal pipeline operations or requiring specialised tracking tools.

Josh Holmes, PipeSense's VP of business development, commented, "This project is a clear and concise demonstration that our approach to obstruction locating can provide a practical addition to the pipeline integrity toolkit for locating stuck pigs, hydrate plugs, debris, and other flow restrictions across a wide range of offshore pipeline applications.

“Our goal is to support operators in that mission by providing advanced technologies that deliver greater visibility into pipeline performance and help teams make faster, more informed decisions.”

The company is now looking to roll out its technology in offshore and subsea environments globally, following the success in Angola. This could be good news for the Middle East, with major offshore developments planned and underway such as the UAE’s Umm Shaif Gas Cap, Aramco’s Zuluf increment and Kuwait’s development of its recent discoveries.