REDUCING 3RD PARTY ACCIDENTS THROUGH SEAMLESS
DEPTH OF COVER (DOC) ASSESSMENTS

ENHANCING PUBLIC AND ASSET SAFETY WITH EMPIT'S PRECISION PIPELINE DEPTH ASSESSMENT SERVICE

Background

Pipeline incidents, with approximately 30% attributed to third-party activities, can pose significant safety risks and operational challenges. Intensive agricultural practices and land cultivation can cause changes in soil cover, jeopardizing pipeline safety. Traditional pipe locators and ground-penetrating radars are insufficient in providing the comprehensive data necessary for effective accident prevention and optimized planning. EMPIT's cutting-edge Precision Pipeline Depth Assessment service is designed to deliver high-resolution depth data for every 1 cm of your pipeline infrastructure, helping to proactively prevent accidents and efficiently plan depth of cover measures, ensuring pipeline safety and integrity.

Challenge

One of our clients experienced a pipeline burst caused by a farmer accidentally striking the pipeline with a plow, raising major safety concerns. This incident prompted our client to conduct a comprehensive Depth of Cover (DOC) assessment on their entire pipeline to identify any high-risk locations that might require attention.

Solution

EMPIT's Current Magnetometry Inspection (CMI) technology offers the most precise DoC measurement solution on the market. By utilizing AI-based software for data analysis, CMI delivers a highly precise and accurate pipeline profile. The air-based inspection system identified several areas of concern where the DOC was as low as 40 cm. To validate the data quality, our client conducted feedback digs, which confirmed that the DOC uncertainty was no more than 10 mm.

Outcome

Relying on our accurate results, our client planned and executed further measures to ensure both public safety and the integrity of their pipeline, ultimately enhancing operational continuity. EMPIT's Precision Pipeline Depth Assessment service provides an advanced Depth of Cover survey with a maximum error of 20 mm and is effective in the most challenging conditions, including parallel pipes, high-impact areas, and mountainous terrain. This seamless capture of Depth of Cover allows for optimal protection for operators in disputes with third parties, ensuring pipeline safety and accountability.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PIPELINE:

Gas DN600 Pipeline (1970’s)

 

CHALLENGES:

  1. Pipeline routed through agricultures lands
  2. Changing landscapes
  3. Unaware landowners

 

GOALS:

  1. Ensuring public and asset safety
  2. Reducing 3rd party accidents to minimize operations down time
  3. Identification of any pipeline sections with pipe depth below 80 cm

 

OUTCOME:

  1. Seamless DOC overview with indication of shallow pipeline sections with a measurement grid of 1 cm
  2. Accurate DOC measurements with an achieved measurement error below 10 mm

 

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It’s for a reason that we are amongst Germany’s Top 100 innovators. Because our mission is to overcome these inspection challenges and, together with our clients, continuously improve the safety and reliability of all pipelines.