IPCE 2026, Magnetic-Based Geohazard Monitoring

Operational Deployment of Magnetic-Based Geohazard Monitoring and Integrity Management Technology for Buried Pipelines

Geohazard-induced ground movement represents a significant threat to the integrity of buried pipelines, generating deformations that may lead to increased longitudinal strain and elevated failure risk. Managing these threats is particularly challenging for pipeline systems where conventional inspection technologies are constrained by operational, accessibility, or scheduling limitations. To address this gap, a magnetic-based inspection technology was developed to capture pipeline position and evaluate curvature and bending strain associated with ground movement.

Building on validation work presented at PPIM 2025 with Enbridge, this paper focuses on the operational deployment and technical performance of the technology across 22 geohazard sites in North America, covering diverse terrains, right-of-way configurations, and deployment scenarios. Key factors influencing measurement quality, including depth of cover, sensor stand-off distance, deployment vector, and pipeline spacing within shared ROWs, are examined and used to classify inspection outcomes into three performance categories. Despite these constraints, the campaign demonstrated reliable pipeline positioning and successful bending strain determination at stand-off distances exceeding 7 m (23 ft). Where available, results were compared against ILI IMU and bending strain data. The paper discusses implications for geohazard screening, condition monitoring, and risk-based decision-making for assets requiring increased monitoring frequency or alternative inspection approaches.

Authors: Mehdi Laichoubi and Hamza Kella Bennani (Skipper NDT), Teko Hanvi, Jared Kowis, Yvan Hubert and Sherif Hassanien (Enbridge GTM).