GAIL utilises pipeline surveillance technology

To address pipeline safety concerns, Indian state-run energy major GAIL, along with the National Remote Sensing Centre (a unit of ISRO), has launched an innovative surveillance geo-portal called 'Bhuvan-GAIL Portal' for utilising space technology for its pipeline application.

"GAIL has more than 13 000 km of pipeline network, wherein monthly monitoring of pipeline ROW is presently done via helicopter surveys," GAIL said in a statement.

In January 2016, GAIL will begin live satellite monitoring of its pipeline ROW. It is also seeking alternative methods such as advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which can be integrated with this system.

GAIL said it has also developed an innovative mobile application from which pictures of untoward incidents, taken from any mobile phone, can be uploaded instantly on the portal.

A report system integrated with the Bhuvan-GAIL portal can send alerts to relevant executives through SMS and e-mail, regarding the changes noted along the ROW as well as the arrival of any new satellite photos.

To establish the technical feasibility of utilising space technology for its pipeline applications, GAIL began the study with images from Indian satellites and later shifted to very high-resolution foreign satellites, the statement added.

The launch took place in the presence of Shri B C Tripathi, Chairman GAIL (India) Ltd, Dr V K Dadhwal, Director NRSC, ISRO, Shri M Ravindran, Director (HR) - GAIL, Dr Ashutosh Karnataka, Director (Projects) - GAIL, Dr P G Diwakar, Dy Director, NRSC, ISRO, Dr Venugopal Rao, Head Urban Studies, NRSC, ISRO, Shri R K Kashyap, Executive Director (R&D) - GAIL and senior officials from GAIL and ISRO.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: Economic Times, Catch News

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/10122015/gail-utilises-pipeline-surveillance-technology/