Pipeline Movement Assessment 2024 (PTC)

Drone-Based Technology for Pipeline Movement Assessment

Pipeline Technology Conference 2024 – Skipper NDT

Ground movements caused by geohazards account for over 16% of pipeline failures in the last decade. These events can lead to bending strains and severe integrity risks. To address this, Skipper NDT has developed a novel drone-mounted magnetic system that creates a high-precision digital twin of buried pipelines. This contactless technology enables rapid acquisition of dense positional data, allowing operators to detect pipeline curvature changes and assess bending strain without excavation or inline tools.

Field tests conducted with a North American operator demonstrated strong correlation between drone-based strain profiles and traditional IMU inspection results. Key benefits include:

• Fast deployment for emergency or routine monitoring

• Access to hard-to-reach areas

• Improved safety and reduced human error

This innovation offers a cost-effective solution for geohazard management, enabling early detection of pipeline movement and supporting proactive integrity strategies.