Many of the world’s
natural gas transmission pipelines cross undeveloped and sparsely
populated land. Natural vegetation quickly grows back after
a pipeline has been laid, making it practically impossible
to implement ground based survey programs to detect leaks,
yet periodic leak detection surveys are important.
Leaking natural gas can cause explosions
leading to loss of life and property. Loss of product through
undetected leaks reduces revenue. In some parts of the world,
it is estimated that such losses exceed 15% of gas transmitted. Surveying underground pipelines using ground operations or
airplanes is slow, expensive, and detection is very limited.
VERTEX Helicopters specializes in aerial leak detection for
monitoring pipeline integrity, as well as production facility
inspection. VERTEX Helicopter’s PetroChem LEAP™ Inspection
Program, utilizing the Boreal Laser System, allows
us to immediately detect the presence of elevated levels of
methane in the air above a pipeline or production facility. |
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With a small modification of our system, we also have the
ability to detect excessive CO2 emissions, helping your company
comply with the latest EPA emissions testing requirements.
Our system can be reconfigured to detect the following:
- Hydrogen Flouride (HF)
- Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Methane (CH4)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
- Ethelyne (C2H4)
- Acetylene (C2H2)
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VERTEX Helicopters, in partnership with ATS,
utilizes the Boreal Laser system (which can be mounted on
any of our helicopters) to identify leaks in the ROW and over
production facilities. We normally survey pipelines and production
facilities at 40 to 50 MPH and at approximately 75 feet above
ground level where the pilot can follow a preloaded pipeline
route using GPS, or as directed by an observer.
Our exclusive Boreal Laser will then sample the air, identifying
the methane molecule in concentrations even as low as 1 part
per million. The system uses a laser tuned to the absorption
wave length of the methane molecule firing inside a porous
self contained sensor cell attached near the bottom of the
helicopter. Air passing through the laser cell is sampled
over 300 times per second accurately monitoring methane levels
down as low as one part per million (1 PPM). Laser accuracy
is maintained by a (Patented) self calibration system that
references a methane sample every 3 to 6 seconds increasing
accuracy and eliminating back ground level drift. Temperature,
ground and cloud conditions do not affect performance of the
system. |
The system ensures that there are no false
readings because the laser constantly calibrates itself to
a contained methane sample.
Unlike other detection systems, our Boreal
Laser detection system is a closed path unit; it samples the
air in a known environment so our laser does not suffer from
the light, temperature, ground conditions, or weather problems
that interfere with other laser, ultraviolet or infrared systems.
This system is the fastest, most accurate system available,
minimizing any false positives or errors that infrared and
ultraviolet systems are prone to encounter.
As we fly our helicopter over the pipeline
right-of-way or production facility, methane levels are displayed
in real time. This allows for immediate communication with
the client if a large leak or other problems are detected.
During the flight, the helicopter position is continually
being recorded using global positioning satellite. Information
shown on the technicians screen can be analyzed at a later
time to pinpoint any irregularities along the route.
VERTEX Helicopters PetroChem LEAP™
Inspection Service records pinpoint locations of
interest, allowing real time leak detection, and the ability
to survey large areas quickly with very accurate results,
saving time and money.
VERTEX Helicopters’ partner company, ATS, conducted
testing of our leak detection system at the Rocky Mountain
Oilfield Testing Center in Casper, Wyoming in September, 2006.
The conclusive result of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY test is
that our service of aerial leak detection utilizing the Boreal
Laser outperformed ALL other leak detection services, to include
the Apogee LDS and the LIDAR systems used by our competitors.
Our system pinpointed leaks as low as 1.8 s/cth in winds speeds
up to 15 knots during the controlled evaluation at Rocky Mountain
Oil Field Testing Center (RMOTC) which sets the standards
for airborne leak detection devices.
Potential hazardous problems, right of way
issues, exposed pipe, dead vegetation can be immediately communicated
to the client using an on board Satellite Phone.
VERTEX Helicopters provides pricing by the
project mile for clients who require a cost effective leak
survey alternative with documented verification and conformation
to the federally mandated leak quantification of their pipeline
networks.
Questions? All of our
commercial flight services are billed at standard industry
rates. If you have questions, or if you would like a quotation
on our services, please call us at 281-888-9620,
or email us at info@vertexhelicopters.com
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