Plinacro is one of the leading companies in the application of the latest technical and technological solutions that enable better monitoring and operation of the gas transport system. Pthis is confirmed by the recently published results of drone recordings along approximately 60 kilometers of the main gas pipeline route from Bosiljevo – Split, specifically in inaccessible or hard-to-reach parts of the pipeline through which gas reaches Dalmatia via Velebit. In addition to testing the pipeline for tightness, visual recording of the route was also conducted, which is an obligation of Plinacro as the operator of the gas transport system.
This was preceded by a test recording of about 5 km of the pipeline route from Ivanja Reka – Kutina last year, after which Plinacro’s engineers worked with AIR-RMLD to refine the recording software to ensure it is tailored to Plinacro’s needs as much as possible.
This new technology has made hard-to-reach places such as ravines and river canyons, as well as impassable sections of the route over Velebit, accessible for testing the tightness of the pipeline.
—
—
In addition, the recordings allowed for a visual assessment of whether the pipeline is still buried, whether there is soil erosion along the pipeline route, whether third-party works are taking place along the route, and whether there are unauthorized constructions in the pipeline corridor. Given that illegal construction and waste disposal in the protected zone of the pipeline are not uncommon in Croatia, this monitoring system ensures that preventive procedures are activated in a timely manner and that all unauthorized activities are reported to the relevant authorities.
The type of drone used, which had previously recorded the coordinates of the pipeline designated for recording, had a recording autonomy of 5 kilometers and can record 30 kilometers daily.
Analysis of the recorded material showed that there are no gas leaks, but it was also found that an unauthorized construction has been built in one section of the route and that wild waste dumps were observed in several places, about which the relevant authorities will be notified.
Considering all of the above, it is realistic to expect that trends in pipeline monitoring technology and their protective zones will increasingly move towards the use of drones. By employing this new drone inspection technology, Plinacro will significantly modernize its regular maintenance system for the transport system and come closer to the forefront in the application of new technologies for testing tightness and potential unauthorized activities in the pipeline’s protective zone.
{embed_digitalno_izdanje}{/embed_digitalno_izdanje}
