Monitoring of gas pipelines – a civil UAV application

Purpose It is in the interest of any gas company to maintain the value of its pipelines and to protect them effectively against damage caused by third parties. Aims to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach As a result of global progress in high‐resolution remote sensing and image processing technology, it is now possible to design natural gas pipeline monitoring systems with remote sensors and context‐oriented image processing software. Findings Recent developments in UAV technology show that UAVs provide the appropriate platforms for a remote sensing‐based inspection system: appropriate small and medium size UAV have been developed, their operation is technically feasible in an controlled as well as in uncontrolled airspace. Research limitations/implications The data and information processing system still has to be developed to an operational standard. A total operational system consisting of UAV platform, sensors, data processing and alarm detection has to be demonstrated in a complete mission. The certification and operation standards for a safe and efficient operation of UAVs do not yet exist. Originality/value Two different scenarios for a UAV‐based gas pipeline monitoring system are discussed.