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iPIPE

iPIPE

Advancing technologies that reduce the frequency and duration of pipeline releases.

Intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE) members collaborate on dynamic innovations to quickly gain hands-on experience and advance the most promising technologies impacting pipeline safety. Members are presently engaged in advancing detection of pipeline hazards and leaks using the latest terrestrial, aerial, and space-based technology. Collaboration is critical to achieve success, and that is why iPIPE members benefit from iPIPE’s knowledge and experience to address challenges common to shared rights-of-way. The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) through the Oil and Gas Research Program (OGRP) provides matching financial support. iPIPE solutions bolster progressive innovation targeted at solving technical challenges in advance of regulation.

 

iPIPE Technology

Innovation and Experience

Previous iPIPE projects have furthered an array of technologies toward commercial acceptance. Members have gained experience with in-line inspection (ILI) that cannot be traditionally achieved in small-diameter gathering lines. A unique ILI sensor the size of a golf ball was demonstrated in North Dakota and has subsequently inspected over 450 pipelines for 125 customers. Smart sensors that can detect liquid along sensitive pipeline segments have been advanced by iPIPE and deployed in North Dakota. Members have engaged in monitoring pipelines from space. The experience gained using satellite data to detect oil, produced water, and methane has led to launching sensors into space that provide greater precision and accuracy. Most projects apply the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence including projects that use pressure sensors to see leaks anywhere within a pipeline system. iPIPE continues to build on our experience to bring innovation to practice.

 

Industry Collaboration

iPIPE is presently a 7-member industry collaboration partnered with the EERC as part of a research contract with the North Dakota OGRP. The program was created in response to Governor Doug Burgum’s challenge to eliminate pipeline leaks through innovation. The program is in its second round of research funding, “iPIPE 2.0,” operating to December 2023. Contribution to the present program is $150,000 per member over a 2-year period. The membership meets monthly to discuss project updates, hosts a technology selection event, and conducts an annual member forum.

 

Going Forward

The EERC is the technology scout for iPIPE and has vetted over 140 technologies and conducted 6 technology projects. The EERC is leading the iPIPE 2.0 efforts regarding projects for the 2022–2023 period. iPIPE 2.0 projects will explore sensors that provide greater capability, test aerial data collection on collaborate rights-of-ways, advance methane detection, explore new methods for non-intrusive pipeline inspection, and continue to advance machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. iPIPE is continuing efforts to advance monitoring from space and may collaborate in regard to North Dakota’s investment in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) infrastructure.

Description Play media

Orbital Sidekick (OSK), selected as a technology provider to iPIPE, launched the Aurora hyperspectral imaging satellite on June 30, 2021, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Video courtesy of SpaceX.

 

Industry Members

 

DCP Midstream

Enbridge

Energy Transfer

 

Hess

MPLX

ND Oil and Gas Research Program

 

Oneok

TC Energy

 

 

For more information:

Darren Schmidt
Darren Schmidt
iPIPE Program Director
  • E-MAIL ME

Austin McRae
Austin McRae
iPIPE Project Director
  • E-MAIL ME

Michelle Olderbak
Michelle Olderbak
iPIPE Program Manager
  • E-MAIL ME

 

Members Only Login

 

We are moving toward an era of zero tolerance [for pipeline leaks].- The Honorable Doug Burgum,
North Dakota Governor

 

OSK Tech Provider
Orbital Sidekick Selected as Partner for iPIPE

Orbital Sidekick (OSK), the first U.S. commercial company to deploy hyperspectral sensors in space, announced that it has been selected once again by the intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE) to serve as the company's technology partner.

Read More

iPIPE
iPIPE Receives OGRP Funding

EERC was awarded $400,000 from the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s Oil and Gas Research Program (OGRP) for iPIPE 2.0, the next phase of the intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE).

Read More
Toku Pressure Transmitter
iPIPE Helps Develop New Technology Using Artificial Intelligence

In early 2021, iPIPE contracted with Toku Systems Inc. (TOKU) to demonstrate TOKU’s proprietary Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) pressure sensors.

Read More

See more ipipe news

P  701.777.5000
research@undeerc.org
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Energy & Environmental Research Center

University of North Dakota
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