Specialty Pipeline Surveys & Patrol Services
Natural gas pipeline systems can face unique risks at construction sites, roadways, bridges, waterways, railroad crossings, and locations affected by seasonal ground movement. Surveys & Analysis provides specialized pipeline surveys and patrol services designed to help operators identify potential leaks, monitor changing field conditions, and support pipeline integrity and regulatory compliance programs.
Our specialty services include substructure and subsurface surveys, prepaving and blasting surveys, uprate support surveys, bridge and railroad casing inspections, exposed crossing patrols, and winter frost patrols.
Substructure & Subsurface Surveys
Gas migration can extend beyond the immediate location of a pipeline leak. Bar-hole and subsurface surveys provide a method of investigating underground conditions and helping determine the direction and extent of potential gas migration.
Surveys & Analysis performs subsurface gas surveys and leak investigation to help identify gas concentrations in soil, along underground structures, and around potential migration pathways.
Substructure and subsurface investigations can support:
- Gas migration tracking
- Leak investigation and extent determination
- Bar-hole surveys
- Investigation around underground structures
- Identification of potential migration pathways
- Leak pinpointing
- Documentation of field findings
A systematic subsurface investigation can provide valuable information when surface conditions alone do not adequately define a potential gas release.
Prepaving & Blasting Surveys
Construction activity can create additional risks around underground gas facilities. Before paving, excavation, blasting, or other significant construction activity near pipeline infrastructure, a pre-construction leak survey can help identify existing conditions and provide documentation before work begins.
Surveys & Analysis provides prepaving and blasting surveys to help operators evaluate gas facilities before nearby construction activities.
These surveys can help:
- Identify potential gas leaks before construction
- Establish baseline field conditions
- Identify areas requiring additional investigation
- Reduce the potential for construction-related complications
- Document pre-construction survey activities
- Support operator due-diligence procedures
Early identification of potential leaks can help prevent an existing pipeline condition from being confused with a condition arising during construction.
Uprate Support Surveys
Increasing pipeline operating pressure requires careful planning, engineering, and compliance with applicable pipeline safety requirements. Uprate support surveys can provide valuable leak survey information before and during pressure increases.
Surveys & Analysis performs leak surveys in support of pipeline uprating programs under 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart K, helping operators identify potential leaks and document field conditions associated with pressure changes.
Depending on the project requirements, survey activities may include:
- Pre-uprate leak surveys
- Leak surveys during pressure increases
- Follow-up investigation
- Leak pinpointing
- Documentation of survey results
- Identification of locations requiring additional evaluation
Our services can be incorporated into an operator’s established uprating and pipeline integrity procedures.
Bridge & Railroad Casing Inspections
Pipeline facilities at bridges, railroad crossings, and other structures require specialized attention because of their unique environmental and physical conditions.
Surveys & Analysis provides bridge and railroad casing inspections to evaluate cased crossings and exposed pipeline spans for observable conditions that may require additional investigation or maintenance.
Inspection activities may include evaluation of:
- Exposed pipeline
- Casing-related conditions
- Crossing locations
- Visible corrosion or deterioration
- Physical damage
- Accessible components and surrounding conditions
- Other observable concerns requiring follow-up
Accurate field documentation can help operators maintain inspection records and identify conditions requiring corrective action.
Exposed Crossing Patrols
Exposed pipeline crossings can be particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, erosion, flooding, construction activity, and physical damage. Regular patrols provide an opportunity to identify changing conditions before they become more significant integrity concerns.
Surveys & Analysis provides exposed crossing patrols at bridges, waterways, and other pipeline crossings to support operator patrol programs and applicable requirements, including 49 CFR ยงยง192.705 and 192.721, as applicable.
Patrol activities can help identify:
- Exposed or unsupported pipeline
- Erosion and washout
- Bank or shoreline changes
- Unauthorized excavation or construction
- Physical damage
- Changes around bridge crossings
- Other conditions affecting pipeline integrity
Winter Frost Patrols
Seasonal ground movement can create additional challenges for underground pipeline infrastructure. Frost heave, thawing conditions, and ground movement may place stress on pipeline facilities or associated components.
Surveys & Analysis provides winter frost patrols to help operators monitor areas where seasonal frost conditions may affect pipeline integrity.
Patrols can focus on locations where frost-related movement may create elevated risk, including areas affected by:
- Frost heave
- Ground settlement
- Thawing and seasonal movement
- Roadway changes
- Drainage changes
- Exposed or displaced facilities
- Other observable changes around pipeline infrastructure
Seasonal patrols provide operators with additional field information for evaluating changing conditions and determining whether follow-up inspection or maintenance may be appropriate.
Specialized Field Support for Pipeline Operators
Every pipeline system has locations that require more than routine leak surveys or standard patrols. Surveys & Analysis provides specialty pipeline survey and patrol services that can be integrated into existing integrity management, inspection, maintenance, construction, and compliance programs.
From subsurface gas migration investigations and pre-construction surveys to crossing inspections, uprate support, and winter frost patrols, our field services help operators gather reliable information about conditions affecting their pipeline facilities.
Protect Your Pipeline. Document Your Due Diligence.
Proactive surveys and patrols can help identify changing conditions, investigate potential leaks, and provide documentation to support pipeline integrity and compliance programs.
Contact Surveys & Analysis to discuss your specialty pipeline survey, leak detection, or patrol requirements.