Summary:

To ensure that a known or potential gas leak situation from an underground pipeline is addressed as safely as possible, there is an urgent need for monitoring and evaluating changes to gas leakage over time. However, this need is wrought with operational challenges related to the quality and quantity of leakage data stemming from a lack of data-driven, real-time control. This is especially relevant for situations where the leak cannot be resolved immediately or in areas of known leakage that require long term monitoring and evaluation. However, if we can better understand gas leakage behavior and environmental conditions over time while simultaneously incorporating this data near real-time into our decision-making, we can more efficiently and safely respond to such leaks and ultimately help prevent the occurrence of catastrophic gas migration incidents. This project will:

(1) develop an innovative real-time data network for methane detection and quantification of belowground leaks, and

(2) establish a recommended practice to deploy the gas sensing protocol while simultaneously ensuring that these protocols are widely applicable and accessible to end users.

This work will be accomplished by a combined team of the University of Texas at Arlington, Colorado State University, state agencies, and industry partners to include pipeline operators and service providers. Integral to this research is the exposure of undergraduate and graduate students to pipeline safety, ultimately cultivating new talent in the pipeline industry.