When you think of product theft on a pipeline, you likely think of some of the more extreme cases of theft from across the globe like rocket attacks on pipelines and devastating explosions from illegal tapping gone awry. But pipeline product theft is manifesting in much more surreptitious ways across the globe. Increasingly, illegal tappers are using sophisticated, professional methods to extract product from pipelines virtually undetected.
Here are some of the ways that a well-executed product theft operation can conceal itself from pipeline operators:
Pipeline operators cannot continue to rely on traditional leak detection technologies if they hope to properly address illegal activity.
Two new technologies that can aid pipeline operators in the anti-theft effort are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Working in tandem, these technologies can form the backbone of a hyper-efficient aerial monitoring workflow that gets you the data to recognize, locate, and deter illegal activity happening on your pipeline.
In a data sourcing and collection scenario, the efficiency of a UAV and its ability to fly missions repeatedly is virtually unmatched, especially when it can operate without the need for an onsite pilot. Essentially, the vehicle is flying a precise, programmable flight path that ensures that the visual verification data sets remain consistent from flight-to-flight.
Where the UAV is all about collecting the raw data, computer vision software using machine-learning algorithms refine it all down into actionable insights. Algorithms are faster at analyzing the data coming off the vehicle and detecting indicators of illegal activity around a pipeline such as people or vehicles, tracks on the ground, excavation sites, construction debris, and environmental indicators of a spill. With a final review by a human subject matter expert, operators will have a picklist of actionable occurrences around their asset.
This untapped (pun intended) combination of AI data analysis and human decision-making intelligence is a key enabler for pipeline operators. With valuable data-driven insights around their pipeline, operators can more successfully deter illegal activity and maintain a safe environment around their asset.
With the right aerial data solution, leveraging both drones and AI, operators can gain immediate advantages over would-be pipeline product thieves:
Beyond the immediate value in day-to-day inspections, working with this consistent visual data in the long-term will allow you to develop predictive analytics that can determine where the next event is likely to occur and how to allocate resources for anti-theft efforts. Identifying the hotspots of illegal activity and taking action to prevent it will significantly reduce costs associated with stolen product and theft-related damage.
Illegal tapping and product theft have entered a new era of sophistication that has left traditional leak detection technologies fumbling in the dark. To stand a chance against these efforts, pipeline operators must embrace new technologies – such as autonomous UAVs and AI – that arm them with the necessary data to effectively combat pipeline crime.
Have questions about how high-quality aerial data can elevate your organization?
Contact our team to discuss your unique challenges and data requirements.