Oil & Gas pipeline monitoring in Brazil
- ImiSight
- May 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Overview
In Brazil, the oil and gas industries are a vital sector, contributing significantly to the country's economy. However, the protection and maintenance of oil and gas pipelines, especially those running through remote and dense forest areas, pose significant challenges. The increasing incidents of illegal activities, such as pipeline thefts, unauthorized access, and vandalism, require innovative monitoring solutions to ensure pipeline security and operational integrity.
ImiSight, with its advanced AI-driven detection capabilities, offers an innovative and integrated approach to address these challenges. By combining satellite and drone imagery, ImiSight provides a comprehensive solution to monitor and detect anomalies along pipelines, including illegal paths, unauthorized vehicles, and other suspicious activities.
Problem
Illegal activities along pipelines in Brazil have been a persistent issue, with consequences including pipeline theft, sabotage, and environmental damage. The cost of these activities is significant, both in terms of financial losses and environmental impact. It is estimated that the oil and gas industry in Brazil loses hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to theft, vandalism, and other illegal activities related to pipeline infrastructure:
· Brazil has 11,000 kilometers of pipelines, which are vulnerable to theft, tampering, sabotage, and terrorist activities
· The theft of product from state-owned pipelines in Brazil is described as a growing, thriving, and lucrative business with widespread corruption
The challenge is compounded by the vast and difficult-to-access areas where pipelines are located, particularly in remote forest regions. Traditional monitoring methods, such as physical patrols and manual inspections, are inefficient and costly, leading to delays in identifying and addressing security breaches.
Solution
ImiSight's solution integrates satellite imagery, drone imagery, and AI-driven analytics to provide real-time monitoring of pipelines. The system can detect various anomalies, such as unauthorized vehicles, illegal access routes, and suspicious activity in real-time.
In one example, ImiSight's solution identified an illegal path in a dense forest area, which was being used to access the pipeline. Satellite imagery revealed a clear distinction between the dense forest area and a deforested zone highlighting a path that was not authorized. Upon further investigation using drone imagery, it was found that a truck had been parked near the pipeline for several consecutive days in a restricted area. This behavior indicated potential illegal activity, such as pipeline theft or vandalism.
ImiSight's AI system was able to automatically flag this anomaly, alerting the operators to investigate further and act before any significant damage occurred. The combination of satellite and drone imagery allowed for a comprehensive and detailed view of the situation, ensuring that no critical information was missed.
The solution also helped reduce the need for costly manual inspections and patrols, which were previously required to monitor remote pipeline sections. This can lead to a reduction in operational costs and increased efficiency in pipeline management.
Cost of Pipeline Security in Brazil
The cost of pipeline security in Brazil is substantial. In 2020, the Brazilian oil and gas industry reported losses of approximately $200 million due to pipeline theft and vandalism. In 2023, investigators estimated that oil theft from Petrobras pipelines may have totaled 30 million liters. This figure does not account for the additional costs of environmental damage, legal fees, and reputational damage to companies involved.
ImiSight's solution offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional security measures, providing operators with a more efficient way to monitor pipelines and detect potential threats. By reducing the need for manual inspections and enabling real-time detection of illegal activities, ImiSight's technology helps minimize the financial losses associated with pipeline security breaches.
To combat these issues, advanced technologies are being employed to complement existing security measures, providing operators with intelligence to identify and respond to potential threats. In addition to security costs, a new monthly inspection fee of R43,329 for exploration companies has been approved by lawmakers in Rio de Janeiro state, which may cost the industry an additional R600mn/yr ($121mn/yr).
Conclusion
ImiSight's advanced monitoring solution, combining satellite and drone imagery with AI-powered analytics, provides a highly effective and cost-efficient method for monitoring oil and gas pipelines. By identifying illegal paths, unauthorized vehicles, and other suspicious activities in near real-time, ImiSight helps operators protect their infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and minimize the impact of illegal activities on their operations.
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