PR403-123706-R01 Evaluation of Long Endurance UAS for Monitoring and Surveillance of Energy Pipelines

This report presents the initial efforts of the Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI) to evaluate technology solutions for pipeline monitoring and surveillance of the global energy infrastructure using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Energy pipeline companies are considering a broad range of UAS applications to support upstream, midstream, and downstream operations with an emphasis on improving the reliability, integrity, and safety of pipeline assets. This initial work focused on verifying the use of long-range, long-endurance UAS for pipeline patrol. The flight testing successfully demonstrated the interoperability of PRCI’s Automated Threat Detection System (ATDS) payload, a remote sensing technology package initially developed for use on manned aircraft. Verifying interoperability of ATDS with UAS technology is a significant outcome that will support the development of other sensing capabilities to be integrated into the ATDS payload. Results of the testing have demonstrated that a UAS can be configured with technology systems that provide meaningful data and information on a range of pipeline operating and integrity parameters. Emphasis has been concentrated on the safe operation of larger UAS platforms flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) of the pilot operator. The unique nature of pipeline infrastructure, covering thousands of miles along relatively narrow right-of-way (ROW) corridors, drives the requirement for BVLOS flights and larger UAS platforms capable of long endurance patrols. The work conducted to date has included a series of test flights to demonstrate that UAS can be applied to day-to-day functions of energy pipeline integrity management and that they can operate safely, effectively, and in full compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations.