CALGARY, AB, May 31, 2018 – Ingu Solutions has been selected following a global review to demonstrate its leak detection and prevention technology for oil and gas pipelines in the state of North Dakota. Described as an emerging technologies demonstration, Ingu will deploy its Pipers® technology in operational pipelines located in the western part of the state during the course of 2018. The demonstration is a next step in the process as North Dakota works toward adopting world-class leak prevention and detection technologies into its pipeline operations. There are currently close to 27,000 miles of gathering pipelines across the state.
“Governor Burgum has shown tremendous leadership in challenging the public and private sectors to work together to introduce cutting-edge technologies to safeguard critically important pipeline assets across the state,” said Ingu CEO John van Pol. “We are proud that our Pipers® solution has been selected for this important effort.”
Ingu Solutions was chosen by iPIPE (intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program), a $4 million research and development program focused on advancing new technologies to prevent and detect pipeline leaks. iPIPE consortium partners include Hess Corporation, Equinor (formerly Statoil), Goodnight Midstream, Oasis Midstream Partners, ONEOK, the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) in Grand Forks, N.D. and several technology providers.
“Ingu is taking a novel and potentially quite disruptive approach to inline inspection,” said Jay Almlie, Principal Engineer, Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota and a member of the iPIPE review committee. “Their solution is designed to detect and locate leaks, geometric defects, magnetic features, and restrictions in all pipelines — without service interruption. Their approach promises maximum control in when and how the devices are deployed, which is something industry is absolutely looking for. We are eager to demonstrate their effectiveness in narrow-diameter, highly-networked liquids gathering pipelines in North Dakota.”
Ingu’s Pipers® solution uses miniaturized inline sensors to detect leaks, geometric defects and deposits that threaten pipeline performance and safety. Pipers® eliminate the need for human intervention, reducing inspection costs, strengthening preventive maintenance, and lowering repair and replacement expenditures. Pipers® are small enough to reach areas that are currently too difficult or expensive to inspect.
“We are changing the economics of pipeline inspection,” said van Pol. “North Dakota offers us the opportunity to demonstrate how simple and efficient inline inspections can be using state-of-the-art technology small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.”
In 2017, Ingu Solutions was among the first companies to be selected by Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV) for its CTV Catalyst Program™, an initiative to help early-stage companies promote technology to advance the oil and gas industry around the world.
