Smart Oil Pipelines are Already Here!

New capabilities have been enabled due to the success of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity that is combined with advanced computing and industry-focused software.

Image source: centralmaine.com

Industrial Internet is a term that refers to the integration of machines (or assets) through sensors and software, in order to improve and enhance industrial outcomes. Based on three main factors – smart devices, advanced analytics and connected people – the Industrial Internet is a shift from reactive to predictive capabilities. The Industrial Internet is creating newer, smarter and more complex use cases with the help from Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

The Industrial Internet is less about remote control and more about machine intelligence. With the help of Industrial Internet, things like wing turbines, locomotives and jet engines can communicate with each other, understand each other’s behavior and act or react accordingly.

Implementing such technology to oil pipelines, we are already able to produce ‘Smart Oil Pipelines’. Let’s take a glance further to interpret the current state of the Industrial Internet and Big Data in the pipeline industry:

Industrial Internet and Big Data in the Pipeline Industry:

The concept of Big Data that recently has become popular, describes the growing amount of bytes of information that are now available as a result of the increased number of connected measurement devices and sensors feeding the Industrial Internet.

The challenge in the adoption of Big Data analytics was not one of sensing technology for the pipeline industry, however the fundamental components were already available. To enable the applicability of Industrial Internet concepts and analytics, the two main streams of information, operations and asset integrity already have enough sources of data. Meters and sensors monitor inputs and outputs, such as pressure, flow and compressor conditions, while comprehensive software already accounts for volumetric system balances, throughput and product deliveries. The condition of the linear assets is also covered by continuous or periodic sources of information, such as cathodic protection surveys, inline inspections or hydrostatic test results,

As technology advances, other monitoring and diagnostic methods such as fibre optics, lasers, ultrasonic or acoustics based sensors that report movement, corrosion, leakage or impact to the pipeline, could be gradually developed.

Development in Pipeline Management Practices:

Information becomes more accurate and timely with access to integrated data in a common architecture, while introducing a new pace to existing processors. Enabling a significant shift to proactive operations, the Industrial Internet introduces the concept of near real-time, combining continuous, periodic and static data.

By integrating all the available data through a single digital system of reference, a common platform allows pipeline companies to bring convergence across the different departments. This allows operating teams like control room and field operations, to manage not only the linear assets, but also all associated assets, resources and processors around it, and act from the same shared situational awareness.

Bigger Benefits of the Industrial Internet:

The bigger benefits of the Industrial Internet for pipelines are delivered through advanced analytics that enhance existing engineering capabilities. For example, it is now possible to develop algorithms to monitor typical and atypical risk factors based on existing risk assessment methods, due to the partnership between solution providers and operators.

Simple and fast ‘What if’ scenarios allow pipeline engineers to formulate maintenance and repair options on-demand, with the help of potential risk probability and impact calculators. This ultimately helps them choose the safest and most economical scenario. The industry will also be able to share relevant information to continuously improve the accuracy of those models with the power of combined knowledge, as the adoption of Big Data grows.

The Industrial Internet brings to pipelines, transformative digital technologies to improve business practices and functional roles and responsibilities. Pipeline operators are constantly looking for effective ways to meet increasing throughput requirements while ensuring safety remains at the forefront of everything they do. To ensure that timely, relevant and accurate information is available to drive productivity, these new advances play an integral role in improving pipeline management ensuring better

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