Aerial technology aids this year’s annual gas infrastructure inspection

Medicine Hat – On Tuesday, April 28, the City of Medicine Hat begins its annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment on its gas distribution network with the aid of a new technique: low-level aerial surveillance.

Contractor Airborne Energy Solutions (AES) follows approved Transport Canada flight plans to fly a helicopter between 200 and 1,000 feet above ground in line with the pipelines they are inspecting. This technique will assess 85 kilometres of high-pressure pipeline outside of City limits, 23 kilometres of rural gas distribution mains, and 25 rural services.

The laser-based remote sensing technology generates 3D LiDAR™ methane concentration maps to detect gas leaks (location) and leak rates (flux). 

The rural flight complements annual in-town inspections using a mobile detection vehicle. This year, the mobile device will inspect 7,365 residential and commercial services inspections and 134 kilometres of gas main in the regions highlighted on the map below.

The Mobile Guard is a vehicle-mounted super sniffer manufactured by global technology leader ABB that uses an anemometer to identify wind direction and a pump that samples air quality as it drives. The device measures the level of methane in the air sample and tracks the location and severity on a map. It can also detect and inform whether any recorded methane is likely to be naturally occurring, or if it is gas coming from a pipeline.

The contracted mobile vehicle will drive streets and alleys later this spring in evenings between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. and is easily identified by equipment mounted on the roof and a Hetek Solutions decal.  

The City’s manager of gas distribution, Christy Garland, says the mobile vehicle captured data efficiently last year.

“We’re very happy with the results from the mobile detection last year and are able to free up valuable human resources to focus on maintaining the distribution system rather than walking on foot to inspect it,” said Garland.

“We’re excited to advance with industry standards by now adding aerial surveillance on our rural assets.”

Only when concerns are detected by either technology will trained staff be deployed to further investigate. 

The City of Medicine Hat thanks residents for their understanding and cooperation as the necessary assessments are completed to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the natural gas delivery system. Inquiries may be directed to the Gas Distribution office at 403-529-8190.

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