Pipeline Protection Systems

The protection of both land based and sub-aqua pipelines against sabotage, illegal tapping, and terrorist action, etc. is a high priority in all countries, particularly in times of heightened tension but until now this has been notoriously difficult to achieve effectively.

When a pipeline is damaged significant revenues will be lost, damage is caused to the local environment and the leakage is a potential danger to the local population.

Often the damage may not become apparent to the pipeline operators for days or even weeks and then it may take days to accurately pinpoint the location of the damage.

Not only must any system be able to provide a high probability of detection with a very low probability of false alarm activations but with pipelines extending over hundreds if not thousands of miles, the ability to pinpoint the location of any incident is also a vital requirement if loss is to be avoided or minimized.

Westminster offer a range of solutions that can be used to provide a high degree of protection to pipelines and terminals and which can be networked and interfaced with other systems to provide a common control and command system covering the whole infrastructure.

Westminster 's pipeline protection systems are designed to protect Gas, Oil and Liquid Pipelines and other utility pipeline distribution networks.

Land Based Systems

Most pipelines will be a combination of both underground (buried) systems and overground (exposed) systems and Westminster's land based detection systems will provide protection to both.

What can this system protect the pipeline from?

• Accidental Damage
• Illegal Tapping
• Terrorist Activity
• Often before any damage has actually occurred

What can the System detect?

• Manual excavation with hand tools
• Excavation and set-up with heavy equipment (excavators tracked & wheeled)
• Vehicular traffic including Cars, 4x4's, ATV's and Motorcycles
• Vertical & horizontal drilling
• Agricultural activities (ploughing etc.)
• Explosions, surface and sub-surface
• Bullet strikes (surface pipelines)
• Earth movement caused by but not limited to, Floods, Landslides, Earthquakes, Stream Scour
• Leaks and ruptures of the pipeline.

A great advantage is the systems inherent ability to provide very early warning of each of the above and hence provide an opportunity for the operator to take preventative actions.

The entire length of each pipeline is monitored in real-time 24 hours per day 7 days per week year after year, with complete safety.

Is the system safe near explosive liquids or vapours?

Yes, the system is intrinsically safe, using fibre optic cables, it does not generate heat, or electrical sparks etc.

Can the System detect the location of the activity which is occurring along the pipeline?

Yes! It can normally pinpoint the location of the disturbance to +/- 150 metres irrespective of cable length.

What is the maximum distance of pipeline that the system can protect?

A single system can protect up to 40km of pipeline and multiple systems can be networked together to protect thousands ok kilometers of pipeline, with power and communications only required every 80km!

Can it be installed in different terrains?

It works equally well in soil, sand, clay, gravel and grass, as well being as submerged in liquids, it is not subject to performance fluctuations as a result of normal temperature or weather changes.

Is it affected by other electrical equipment?

It is entirely safe and not affected by electrical and EMI issues; it works on non-destructive principles; does not require the cable to be damaged before an event is detected.

Features / Benefits

• Provides immediate & accurate location of potential third party interference
• Allows immediate dispatch of security/maintenance staff to the site
• Repairs can take place before impact damage & related corrosion caused by TPI lead to pipeline failure
• Provides high levels of physical security
• Early warning of fine leaks
• Early warning of potential disruption
• Reduces risk of service interruptions
• Turnkey System
• Tamper proof
• Easy to install and low maintenance
• Does not require the cable or pipeline to be damaged or touched to detect an event
• The operator can make informed decisions about shut down and/or purge the pipeline prior to a potential release
• Provides an advance alarm of many naturally occurring events often before the critical structure is damaged

Competitive Advantages

• Unique system
• Break-through technology
• Integrated Solution
• Technically superior
• Cost effective

Sub-Aqua Systems

Pipelines from offshore facilities or running between land masses are uniquely vulnerable from covert attack from divers and submersibles and present a challenge to adequately protect with the same level of requirement as for land based systems i.e. rapid and sure detection, low risk of false alerts and pin point accuracy in location of any incident.

Fortunately Westminster can supply a range of advanced sub-aqua sonar systems which can be installed at strategic positions along the pipeline which are capable of detecting and tracking a diver with a close breathing system (combat diver) at up to 700 meters and a diver with an open breathing system at up to 1 kilometer. Diver delivery vehicles (SDV) and small craft will be detected at far greater distances – please see diagram below.

To view this product as a PDF please click here.

To view our related Pipeline & Leak Detection System as a PDF please click Westminster Pipeline & Leak Detection.

To view our related Underwater Pipeline Protection System product as a PDF please click Underwater Pipeline Protection DDS-J.

To view our related Diver Detection product as a PDF please click Diver Detection Sonar.

To view our related Underwater Sonar product as a PDF please click Rapid Response Underwater Detection Sonar.

To view our related Underwater Communication Diver Disruption product as a PDF please click Underwater Communication & Diver Disruption

To view our related Underwater Net product as a PDF please click Underwater Security Net.

To view our related Marine Barrier product as a PDF please click Marine Barrier PDF.

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