Design of a Pipeline Pre-Activation Inspection Robot for Pipeline Tap Detection

Abstract

Abstract Crude oil pipeline vandals have been known to insert taps on new pipelines as they are being laid or when the pipelines are inactive. These insertions in the pipelines also known as taps allow the vandals to steal and continue to steal crude oil from the pipeline as long as it is pumped through the line. This approach is difficult to detect using the available leak detection technologies as the crude is not leaked into the environment and does not cause a sudden reduction in the pipeline pressure. The Pre-activation Inspection robot is a battery powered self-actuated robot deployed into the lines to inspect the pipeline and provide a video feedback of the pipeline internal surface before crude oil is pumped. This robot can be deployed as the last stage of the handover process to ensure that the lines are free of taps before the pipeline is activated. It will enable operators determine if their lines have been tapped and also enable the localization of such taps. This deployment is capable of minimizing the volume of crude oil theft from pipelines and also providing information on the state of the pipeline internal surface.