This paper presents an advanced pipeline monitoring system designed to detect and locate leaks and third-party interference (TPI) incidents across a wide variety of pipeline geometries and transported fluids. The system leverages Vibroacoustic Technology (VT), offering real-time asset monitoring and integrity assurance. Over the years, VT has been successfully deployed in various pipeline applications, including those transporting oil and gas refined products, water, CO2, H2 and natural gas.

VT is a robust and reliable solution that utilizes sensor blocks strategically placed along the pipeline, comprising a combination of hydrophones, pressure sensors, and accelerometers. These sensor blocks capture vibroacoustic waves generated by anomalies, such as TPI (e.g., strong deforming impacts and excavations, in offshore and onshore scenarios, respectively) or leak events. Due to the pipeline’s intrinsic waveguide properties, these signals can propagate for several kilometers within the pipeline. While the physics behind the creation and propagation of vibroacoustic waves remains consistent, overall detection performance varies with the composition of the fluid monitored, pipeline geometry, pressure, temperature, and other operational parameters.

In this paper, we showcase multiple use cases highlighting VT's adaptability to various fluid types—ranging from liquids to gases, including oil and gas refined products, water, natural gas, H2 and CO2—in both onshore and offshore scenarios. Additionally, we demonstrate the VT’s flexibility across different pipeline geometries, from straight transmission lines to intricate medium-pressure distribution networks. These diverse applications underscore VT's ability to maintain reliable performance under varying operational conditions.

By providing comprehensive leak detection and TPI monitoring capabilities, this versatile and efficient solution emerges as a powerful tool for safeguarding pipeline integrity and enhancing the safety of energy distribution infrastructure.