Picarro is a leading provider of hardware-enabled software solutions for the energy industry and has now introduced its gas network assessment and pipeline replacement optimisation applications to the Australian market.
Picarro has worked with a number of natural gas operators worldwide to establish itself as a pioneer in analytics-driven leak detection.
Now, the company has introduced its pipeline replacement optimisation system to Australia, helping asset operators and owners mitigate on average 1.5x more leaks than traditional methods, saving costs and improving safety exponentially.
Superior analytics
For the gas network assessment and pipeline replacement optimisation applications, rather than identify individual leaks, Picarro’s analytics estimate leak density (leaks per km) and measure the actual, aggregated methane emissions along the pipe segments or areas in question.
This solution combines data analytics with a vehicle-based methane emissions data collection platform to assist with capital replacement decisions.
Additional applications of these analytics enable better-informed risk reduction programs and targeted emissions reduction programs.
In one example, the Picarro system was employed by a major US utility in 2018 to assist in prioritising the replacement of low-pressure cast iron pipes during a phase of its system redevelopment and modernisation.
In this program, the utility calculated a hazard index from its traditional risk distribution integrity management program (DIMP) model to determine which 1 mile² (2.58 km²) grids would be prioritised for replacement.
Picarro then collected methane emissions data on 44 of these grids, totalling 280 miles (450.6 km) of main, and the grids were further prioritised.
Grids having emissions of 4.5 L per minute per mile or more were accelerated in priority for replacement in 2019 – in this case, six grids were accelerated based on Picarro’s methane data.
To further understand the effectiveness of this method, a comparison was made between the utility’s DIMP model and a combined model that incorporated Picarro methane data on top of the DIMP model.
The model combining both DIMP and Picarro system was found to do a superior job of predicting where leaks will be located, and more granular models enhanced with methane data offered a significant opportunity for improving capital efficiency of pipe replacement projects.
This comparison also demonstrated that a model using only Picarro’s methane data analytics outperforms the DIMP model but is not as good as a model that combines the two.
Picarro Director of Gas Sales and Marketing Doug Ward said Picarro’s information is another layer for asset owners and operators to add onto their integrity management programs.
“Utilities also use their leak history, and other sets of data, combined with Picarro data, to improve the risk and forecast models of pipelines.
“The Picarro analytics consultancy capability assists in integration of our data into the utility’s current sets of data,” he said.
“Emissions are a better predictor of likelihood of failure than pipe age.
“For the mentioned US utility case study, with no emissions data, the company only reduced about 60 leaks for the km of pipeline they were replacing; however, by adding Picarro data they bumped that up from 60 to 165, so you can see the improvement.
“We’re talking about on average 1.5x and occasionally sometimes as much as 2x to 3x improvement on the amount of leaks a utility can take out of its system using Picarro’s analytics.”
Mr. Ward says this approach is relatively new for the Australian market, with Picarro now beginning to work with domestic companies to optimise their pipeline assets.
“What we’re providing is a current state of the condition of the pipes,” he said.
“In a lot of cases in Australia, companies may not have had a recent survey of their entire system, so the data may be stale – it may have been done three or four years ago.
“We’re finding about 90 per cent or more of leaks in a pipeline with our technology.
“So, if you’re only finding a smaller percentage using traditional leak detection methods, you really don’t have sufficient actual leakage information about your network to be able to effectively assess it.
“Picarro’s combination of powerful analytics, advanced methane data collection technology, and expert consultancy is unique to the industry.
“That’s why we’re the world leader with this approach.”
For more information visit the Picarro website.
This article was featured in the July 2021 edition of The Australian Pipeliner. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, click here.