Real-Time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines

INTRODUCTION
NNPC face enormous challenges to keep their pipeline assets safe and operational so that they can fulfill delivery obligations in their downstream sector. Its vast network of pipeline passes through both densely populated areas as well as rural and remote locations where potential breaks, leaks and nefarious acts of vandalism threaten to undermine delivery in its value chain. Pipelines face threats of damage, leaks, lack of adequate maintenance, extreme weather, and natural disasters like flooding and deliberate attempt to sabotage. hese leaks, damage and breaks cause product loss and flow stoppage. hey also result to environmental damage. !or pipelines, detecting these problems can be difficult, as is promptly shutting down the pipeline to avoid waste and environmental damage. "nowing where the fault is located along the length of the pipeline can also ensure staff can quickly travel to the problem area and assess the situation. In the upstream sector, remote real#time solutions, surveillance, monitoring and operation optimi$ation is gradually taking over as the new standard. %ome of these proven technologies now serve as key components in the proposed real#time monitoring and surveillance. his white paper seek to describe the proposed solution which will employ satellite technology and fibre optic monitoring technology combined with an advanced data collation and analysis software and an integrated data and visuali$ation platform. his solution would enable NNPC to remotely and proactively monitor pipelines operations to detect, locate and potentially prevent incidents and&or resolve them soon enough. here seem to be an existing technology for pipeline monitoring such as sensors and transducers that gather necessary data and provide useful information such as pressure drop. 'owever, the system does not present a network infrastructure and tools necessary to help quickly identify, locate and resolve problems. !or that reason we are proposing a Pipeline (onitoring %ystem.

PIPELINE MONITORING SYSTEM

he solution comprises primarily of) *+ Globaltouch %atellite Network. ,+ Unidata Pipeline Condition (onitoring %ystem.

Real-time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines | 9/18/2012

Real-Time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines

-+ NEON .pplication %erver %oftware. /+ Power %upply and %olar Panels 0+ 1ption for precision monitoring for Cathodic Protection he goal of the system is to provide operators with real#time monitoring capabilities and reliable data to indicate when and where an incident has occurred and a reliable indication of the type of event2 leak, intentional damage, etc.+ so that problems can be solved quickly or even avoided. It is also important that such a solution minimi$e the occurrence of false alarms which waste their time and erodes their confidence in the system. hese capabilities help NNPC to ensure the integrity and up#time of their pipelines, helping them to improve safety and reliability and also reduce costs.

SOLUTION OVERVIEW
*. The Globaltouch Satellite Netwo ! consists of the 3lobalstar 451 satellites and 3lobaltouch 3%P *677 %atellite (odem with .ntenna. his enables the system to get connected to the %atellite 3rid and provide the necessary coverage. ,. The Pi"eline Condition Monito in# S$%te& consists of 8nidata Neon 9emote erminal 2N9 +, 9osemount Pressure ransducer : 'igh .ccuracy and suitable for use in ha$ardous environments and 1ptic !iber overlay along the Pipeline with sensors that will sense vibrations. -. NEON '""lication So(twa e#Neon .pplication %erver software to give a full view of the status of the monitoring points along the pipeline. /. 5quipment 5nclosure with %olar Power %upply
Real-time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines | 9/18/2012

)ow the Pi"eline Monito in# S$%te& Would Wo !

%ensors and ransducers for monitoring pressure, vibration, and temperature will be installed at various points along the Pipeline. he exact number of sensors and their separation distance will need to be determined, but the greater the number of sensors, the more accurate any point of failure may be determined along the length of the pipeline. 5ach %ensor is then connected via a satellite modem back to our satellite gateway facility in "aduna. !rom here the data is transmitted to the pipeline monitoring centre. 5ach sensor point may be powered either by a mains power supply, or a solar power panel to make it totally

Real-Time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines

NETWOR* DI'GR'M

.s a further option, a fiber optic sensing and communications cable may be laid along the length of the pipeline to monitor vibrations and enable detection of a wide range of events that may threaten the pipeline;s integrity, from breaks and leaks to human activity such as footsteps, driving and digging which may be an indication of malicious activities. he fibre optic system offers continuous measurement of vibrations regardless of weather and irrespective of location with an accuracy of approximately *7 metres. he maximum length of each span is 07 "m. %ensors to measure pressure in the pipeline may also be placed at the end of each span. he use of fibre optics will require a building and power supply at a maximum separation of *77 "m to house all the equipment.

+ENE,ITS
he Pipeline (onitoring %ystem will help NNPC to)

Real-time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines | 9/18/2012

Real-Time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines

*. Increase safety by preventing incidents or minimi$ing their impact through early detection and location ,. Improve pipeline integrity, up#time and operational efficiency -. 5nsure that acts of vandalism and sabotage are detected early and efforts abated /. 9educe cost 0. 5nsure contractual obligations are met <. 5nsure the downstream value chain is not broken

SUMM'RY
he proposed Pipeline (onitoring %ystem would provide NNPC with real#time monitoring capabilities and reliable data to indicate when and where an incident has occurred along a pipeline and a reliable indication of the type of event so that problems can be resolved quickly or avoided all together.

Real-time Monitoring of NNPC Pipelines | 9/18/2012