Abstract
Third-party intrusion, i.e. unauthorized excavation that accidentally strikes and damages or ruptures a pipeline, is a primary cause of loss to gas pipeline integrity. The NYSEARCH/Northeast Gas Association, American Innovations and Physical Sciences Inc. are jointly developing an autonomous distributed sensor alarm and notification system that provides pipeline operators with a real-time warning of unauthorized right-of-way encroachment and excavation activity near a pipeline. Early warning provides pipeline owners the ability to respond to an intrusion in time to prevent pipeline damage, and preclude incurring the additional cost and risk of repairs. This intruder warning system consists of a network of discrete and unattended, geographically-distributed underground seismic sensor packages deployed along a pipeline right of way. Each sensor package continually processes seismic signals to distinguish threats or abnormal events from benign sounds. When activity is detected, several sensors acting collectively classify the activity as "safe" or a "pipeline threat". "Threat" events activate immediate notifications to pipeline operators via a wireless remote monitoring system. Notifications are communicated via text, email, and/or voice notification. This paper will present an overview of the intrusion warning system, including descriptions of the system hardware, performance specifications, operations, field test results and current development status.
