Latest pipeline monitoring technology is officially out of this world

Hyperspectral imaging satellite, currently being evaluated by iPIPE consortium, will be aboard SpaceX flight

A powerful new piece of pipeline safety technology is ready for launch.

Back in November, Orbital Sidekick—the first commercial company to deploy hyperspectral sensors in space—was selected by pipeline industry consortium iPIPE to have its monitoring technology tested in real-world conditions.

Now, the company’s most powerful hyperspectral imaging satellite, Aurora, will be aboard the SpaceX Transporter-2 craft scheduled to leave the launching pad today at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Base.

Enbridge has been a member of iPIPE (the Intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program) since April 2019. iPIPE, a group of safety-minded industry leaders, is focused on advancing emerging technologies to prevent and detect pipeline leaks by putting a series of promising near-commercial technologies through their paces out in the field.

“At Enbridge, we are harnessing the power of data, technology and innovation to further advance pipeline safety. With the iPIPE consortium, we are committed to solving real-world problems, and engaging in information sharing and collaboration that help our industry,” says Bhushan Ivaturi, Enbridge’s Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer who leads Technology, Information Services and Digital at Enbridge.

“We’re excited to see the launch of this hyperspectral imaging satellite, which we believe will ultimately benefit the pipeline industry in its quest for 100% safety.”

Orbital Sidekick’s Aurora satellite will be placed into commercial service for clients in the energy, mining and defense sectors, with duties that include oil and gas pipeline monitoring and methane mapping.

“The technology aboard the satellite provides high-resolution imagery not previously available to our industry, and we look forward to learning how to apply this new capability through our iPIPE partnership work,” says Darren Schmidt, iPIPE’s Program Co-Manager and the Assistant Director for Energy, Oil and Gas at the North Dakota-based Energy & Environmental Research Center.