This work presents recent advancements in vibroacoustic technology (VT) for pipeline integrity monitoring, aimed at enhancing system flexibility and ease of deployment on existing assets. This innovation enables real-time detection and localization of leaks and Third-Party Interference (TPI) without service interruption, maintaining the same level of sensitivity and accuracy as existing VT systems.
Both standard and newly developed configurations rely on vibroacoustic waves to detect and localize leaks, impacts, TPI, pig tracking, or other events. Sensors positioned several kilometers apart exploit the pipeline’s natural waveguide properties to capture these signals. Data are transmitted in real time to processing servers, where advanced patented algorithms perform noise reduction, event detection, and localization. Detection and localization methodologies remain consistent across all VT configurations.
Field validation was performed on an operative 10” jet-fuel pipeline of approximately 40 km, already equipped with standard VT configuration. Several controlled leak tests of varying sizes were carried out in both pumping and shut-in conditions, confirming the coherence of the measurements, waveforms, and overall behavior, and validating the reliability of the new VT configuration.
In conclusion, this recent development represents a significant step forward in extending the applicability and cost-efficiency of VT systems for pipeline integrity monitoring.
Certain elements of this work are part of a patenting process and cannot be disclosed at this stage.