Pipeline Monitoring

Pipelines, due to their continuous nature over remote terrain, are naturally susceptible to disruption by geotechnical events. Both TDR and OTDR lend themselves to identifying motion in the geotechnical environment, hopefully prior to failure of the pipeline. Details regarding such techniques are given in the pipeline monitoring literature located in the right hand menu.

IIn addition, such cables can be utilized as a security or anti-intrusion device. This is especially true for fiber optic (OTDR) cables. Cables can be laid axially above, adjacent to, or laced around a pipeline. These cables can be continuously monitored by an OTDR reader. Any breaks in the cable will be immediately detected and an alarm sounded. As the break can be located within a minimum of a few feet, it is simple to dispatch a crew to the area, or shut of the line, prior to a rupture. Given that OTDR can "see" at least 25 km (15 miles) in a single direction, only a few such stations along any route would be necessary.

Literature

Pipeline monitoring