OptaSense signs Kazakhstan partnership agreement for sensing services

OptaSense, a QinetiQ company, has signed a partnership agreement with Avencom, leading technology supplier to Kazakhstan oil and gas companies, to provide its distributed acoustic sensing services. The partnership was signed during the UK Government’s trade mission, led by the Prime Minister David Cameron and accompanied by leading British oil and gas businesses.

On-going relationship with Kazakhstan

Over the last four years OptaSense has worked with Avencom to implement pipeline security monitoring systems on over 1000 km of pipeline in Kazakhstan. The new partnership will bring OptaSense’s new four-mode leak detection system to potential customers in the region. Having already successfully worked with regional businesses such as KTO, KPO and KCP, OptaSense already has a proven track record in the region preventing incidents along pipelines.

Magnus McEwen-King, OptaSense MD said, “We are pleased to be able to extend and formalise our on-going relationship with Avencom. As a British company partnerships like this are vital for us and having the support of the Government is important to our future growth. Our unique technology helps companies reduce operating costs and minimise environmental issues. Avencom have been able to develop and train highly skilled technical operators who can install, operate and maintain our fibre sensing technology.”

Trade mission

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green said, "Kazakhstan is emerging as the dominant economy in central Asia and offers many opportunities for British businesses small and large across a wide variety of sectors. This first ever visit by a UK Prime Minister demonstrates our commitment to strengthen the trade and investment links between our two countries. I am delighted that OptaSense has secured new business in Kazakhstan and I wish them every success." 

Sensing technology

Optasense’s distributed acoustic sensing converts standard fibre optic cable into thousands of virtual microphones along its length – enabling operators to effectively “listen” for third party intrusion (pipelines) and detect or even prevent leaks in pipelines before they occur.

The new four-mode leak detection software allows customers to monitor for: negative pressure wave monitoring for rupture events; acoustic signature recognition of high pressure leaks; fast Distributed Temperature Gradient Sensing (DTGS); and ground heave strain monitoring, into a single platform, providing a comprehensive leak detection system.

Adapted from press release by Elizabeth Corner.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/02072013/optasense_signs_agreement_to_provide_leak_detection_services_for_kazakhstan_pipelines_369/