Pipeline Monitoring

THE PIPELINE PROTECTION METHOD OF CHOICE

Ensuring pipeline integrity, immediate leakage detection and risk mitigation

Pipelines are long underground structures, subject to sophisticated pipeline theft actions, malicious interference or unauthorized construction work. AP Sensing's solution for pipelines provides the capabilities to monitor the entire downstream process 24/7. Utilizing the newest Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS)/ Distributed Vibration Sensing (DVS) technologies, our pipeline monitoring solution is an integrated fusion of the newest sensing hardware and detection algorithms, plus presentation and interface software.

Our AP Sensing pipeline monitoring technologies combine to provide multiple benefits, such as leakage detection, flow assurance and third-party interference (TPI) protection - all while minimizing false alarms and maximizing detection probability. Our solutions detects even pin-hole leaks and deliver alarms quickly, while locating the event to within a few meters of its position. TPI events can be identified and classified in real time to raise an alarm only if the event is a threat to your infrastructure. By enabling the process control of active heating, pipeline flow assurance is maintained, which also optimizes energy usage.

DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE & ACOUSTIC SENSING

AP Sensing's monitoring solution converts a standard optical fiber into a continuous multi-parameter sensor. Our DTS detects pipeline leaks by analyzing the temperature and precisely localizing any hot spot or cold spot. It also identifies thermal anomalies such as the cool effect of an escaping gas, or manages active heating processes such as in a sulfur pipeline. DAS/DVS detects leaks by noise and vibrations, as well as temperature changes (DTGS) and negative pressure waves generated by the leak. DAS/DVS is also used to detect defined third-party activities, whether accidental or deliberate, such as digging close to a pipeline.

SMARTVISION™

AP Sensing's SmartVision™ management suite shows the condition of your pipeline at a glance, controlled by an easy-to-use graphical interface. It seamlessly integrates many DAS, DTS, CCTV and other sensors into a single platform. Pipeline layouts are mapped and color-coded to show the measured pipeline temperatures, as well as instantaneous changes in acoustic energy. Temperature graphics and hotspot tables are readily available. Sections of the cable route can be individually defined for flexible alarm levels and types.

FEATURES

Our solutions monitor key pipeline features, including:

Leak detection/location of gases, water, liquid hydrocarbons, LNG, LGP and multiphase pipelines
TPI preventing pipeline damage or theft
Pipeline rupture and ignition detection
Temperature monitoring of pipe wall for heated pipelines
Leak detection and slug tracking of multiphase lines
Pig tracking

As we develop our products from the research and manufacturing stages, to the project commissioning and maintenance, AP Sensing offers a completely integrated, end-to-end solution. Our team works together with you to select the right combination of technologies to fit your requirements. We also provide onsite services, hotline support, maintenance and product training.

COMMITMENT
RELIABILITY
QUALITY
EXPERTISE

Digitization is the driver for quality, capacity and efficient railway operation for DB Netz AG. Fiber Optic Sensing is an outstanding technology that enables the improval of infrastructure capabilities at lightspeed compared to other solutions using existing cable infrastructure. AP Sensing is taking FOS-based railway monitoring to the next level with their true phase-based system and the extensive use of AI. We’re happy to work in collaboration with AP Sensing’s responsive and innovative team, helping us to get projects moving and getting FOS integrated in the daily railway operation.

Max Schubert
DB Netz AG

AP Sensing's support team has been a fantastic resource for us over the years. They have helped us with system development and implementation planning, and they are always quick to respond to our technical queries with competent advice and helpful tips.

Geoff Harris
Ausgrid

For me AP Sensing is the forerunner for distributed optical temperature sensing. You can see in their solutions a combination of experience and creativity -- an intuitive design that works just as you'd expect, yet they aren't afraid to think out of the box, or provide a customized solution. They carry on their HP/Agilent heritage and continue to develop and advance, while remaining true to their core values of quality and reliability.

Roberto Gaspari
Prysmian

When I think of AP Sensing the first thing I think of is reliability. We completely trust and rely on their performance specifications and I know that their technical support team is dedicated and passionate about solving any problems that might come up.

Paul Sanders
Petrospec Engineering

Knowing the technology and market, it is evident to me that AP Sensing is the forerunner in distributed optical sensing. Their solutions reflect a combination of experience and creativity. Experience comes from their HP/Agilent heritage, the leader in test and measurement equipment, with decades of experience in developing and manufacturing extremely reliable and high quality products. The creativity comes from their passion and commitment to solving real customer problems.

David Orr
Protex Systems

When you do business with AP Sensing you get the feeling that you are working together as partners, because they listen to you and understand the challenges of your day-to-day operations. Communication with AP Sensing is always professional and it's obvious that they have the experience and the technical know-how to answer our queries.

Marcin Cichy
Honeywell

AP Sensing's DTS is simply the best fit. We apply it together with ConveySafe in our coal power plants to protect our conveyors. The systems are rugged and completely reliable, need very little power, and can be seamlessly integrated into customer SCADA environments. Best of all, you don't just buy a box from them and that's it -- their post-sales support is outstanding.

Harald Grzybeck
STEAG

The SIL-2 (Safety Integrity Level) rating that AP Sensing has achieved on its DTS gives us the confidence that their solution is going to work as planned, day in and day out, in high-risk environments. Our LNG terminal operators sleep better at night knowing that our assets are protected and security standards are met.

Dr. Stephan Grosswig
GESO

My AP Sensing regional customer support is fantastic: competent, thorough and quick to get back to me. They have been a key player in our complex pipeline projects over the years, and they truly offer through-life product support, from installation and commissioning to training.

Dustin Bow
PENTAIR

OUR KEY FEATURES FOR PIPELINE MONITORING

Why you should choose AP Sensing!

Features	Benefits
Fiber-optic distributed optical sensing solution	…real-time, continuous and continual temperature and acoustic/vibration data along the entire sensor cable length.
Complete asset protection with complementary technologies	…state-of-the-art leakage and third-party interference detection.
Wide range of certifications and type tests including ATEX and SIL	...durable and robust field solution with industry leading performance and reliability.
Enhanced data and alarm processing with SmartVision™	…unique fusion of sensor data to minimize nuisance alarm rates and optimize alarm precision.
Expert, experienced and certified AP Sensing project team	...worry-free execution delivers your project on time and on budget.

PIPELINE MONITORING DOCUMENTATION

Fiber-Optic Protection System

Download Pipeline Monitoring information in the language of your choice:

Flyer - Heat Tracing Pipeline - EN

AP SENSING SUCCESS STORIES

We have hundreds of satisfied customers worldwide!

Ammonia Pipeline France Updated Case

Ammonia is highly toxic, and needs to be carefully monitored when transported as a highly-cooled liquid through pipelines. AP Sensing’s fiber-optic based DTS system was selected to monitor an entire network of ammonia pipelines at an animal food supplement plant.

CO2 Pipeline UAE Updated Case

The operators of a 72 km CO2 pipeline wanted a fast and accurate system for leakage detection and Third Party Interference (TPI) monitoring. AP Sensing’s solution uses Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) for pipeline leakage detection and Distributed Vibration Sensing (DVS) for TPI, ensuring maximum protection of this valuable infrastructure.

Sulfur Pipeline Habshan UAE Updated Case

Pipeline transporting of sulfur requires heated pipelines, so the sulfur remains in liquid form. AP Sensing's fiber-optic based DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) system provides insight into the temperature along the entire length of the pipeline.

Natural Gas Pipeline Thailand September 2020

A natural gas pipeline operator in Thailand sought out a solution to protect a 27 km pipeline from Third Party Interference (TPI). AP Sensing's solution provides constant, real-time monitoring of the entire pipeline using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Successful testing was conducted to detect TPI events such as excavator digging, moving and tapping, as well as manual digging and vehicle movement.

Wet Oil Pipeline May 2020

AP Sensing is monitoring a complex project involving two buried, wet oil pipelines utilizing Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems for leak detection for our customer, Wintershall-Dea. The project used gradient-based and machine learning transient leak detection for highest detection capabilities and a very low false alarm rate.

Reservoir Water Pipeline Germany Feb 2019

An AP Sensing DTS solution with SmartVision™ software was selected to monitor two reservoir water pipelines in northern Germany. These pipelines are used to dispose of water leftover from oil and gas production. The AP Sensing DTS is used to monitor and control the pipelines for leakages from the production facility to the bore walls.

Press Release Fiber Optic Sensing Association NOV 2017

The Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA) today released details on more than 1,300 installations of distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) around the world, the largest representative sample ever published. AP Sensing is proud of our global contributions for pipeline leak detection, high voltage power cable monitoring and fire detection.

Pipeline Leakage Detection Crude Oil March 2016

Mittelplate is Germany's largest oilfield and is located in the ecologically-sensitive Wadden Sea (a national park). The highest level of safety standards needs to be met to monitor 2 specialty pipelines between the island and the mainland. The operators selected a Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) solution from AP Sensing for monitoring and leakage detection.

DTS Monitoring system identifies pipeline issue July 2014

Pipeline transportation of sulfur requires heated pipelines, so that the sulfur remains in liquid form. At the Q8 Kuwait refinery in Rotterdam a reliable and well-performing DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) system was needed to diagnose a heating issue in a sulfur pipeline.

DTS Technology Reduces LNG Plant Operating Costs Sept 2014

Fiber optic DTS (distributed temperature sensing) systems have been used for over 30 years on LNG terminals. From the jetty to the processing area, from the tank annulus to the spill containment area and the base slab, DTS monitoring is ideally suited to monitoring tasks at an LNG facility.