Pipeline Integrity

Corrosion, cracks, and other mechanical damage to your natural gas distribution systems, mid-stream and upstream pipelines, gathering systems can disrupt product flow and harm the environment. West Country Energy’s Pipeline Integrity services help you monitor the integrity of these systems and stay compliant with government regulations.

West Country utilizes a variety of methodologies, from traditional over-the-line surveys to advanced mobile surveys, to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

Gas Trak SuprSnifr™, is an innovative technology designed to detect hydrocarbons at extremely low concentrations. Our vehicle-mounted units can survey natural gas pipeline systems quickly and economically without compromising integrity.

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natural gas leak detection

 

Reasons for Using Gas Trak Leak Detection Technology

  • Proven cost savings compared to conventional surveying methods
  • Have sourced and confirmed thousands of below grade leaks
  • Our technology is a proven leak detection method for both above and below grade pipelines
  • Non-intrusive leak detection surveying
  • Early detection and repair reduces lost revenue and environmental harm as gas leaks cause environmental issues such as soil degradation and destruction of vegetation
  • Gas leaks result in the loss of a valuable resource

 

11,500 - 250,000 cubic feet/day

An average leak will release about 11,500 cubic feet of product per day. Larger leaks can release over 250,000 cubic feet of product per day.

GAS MIGRATION

Before surface abandonments, or "cut and caps", are completed, Gas Migration Tests and Surface Casing Vent Flow (SCVF) tests should be conducted. These relatively inexpensive tests can prevent costly re-entries to correct the down-hole problems. West Country Energy uses traditional bar and hole, as well as non-intrusive methods to perform the gas migration tests. Gas migration testing is also done within 90 days of "Rig Release" as per the AER Directive 020 (March 2016).

 

Our method is accepted by the:

  • Province of Alberta AER
  • Province of Saskatchewan MER

 

References:

Alberta Energy Regulator Directive 020

Saskatchewan Gas Migration Guideline PNG026

PIPELINE INSPECTIONS

West Country Energy offers annual pipeline inspections that meet AER guidelines. This surface inspection includes legal signage, pipeline crossings, vegetation cover, encroachment and any signs of pipeline leakage. Our detailed observations are documented in reports and/or GIS format for the client. Our crews also carry line locators and surveying software, and can install signs as the pipeline inspection progresses.

Pipeline Integrity FAQs

At West Country Energy Services, we deploy a variety of advanced equipment and technologies tailored to the type of survey. We use handheld methane gas detectors for walking surveys or pinpointing leaks such as DP-IRs or Gazomats. For mobile leak detection, we rely on GasTrak’s SuprSnifr technology.

Mobile gas leak detection offers significant benefits, including:

  • Cost Efficiency: GasTrak’s SuprSnifr technology allows us to survey multiple pipelines in one pass, significantly reducing costs compared to individual pipeline surveys.
  • Speed: Mobile surveys can be conducted at road speed limits, drastically increasing survey productivity. One SuprSnifr unit can replace the work of five field walkers.
  • Minimal Land Access: Using access roads or grid lines for mobile surveys means there isn’t a need to secure landowner permissions, reducing concerns like clubroot spread, livestock disruption, or damage to wildlife areas.
  • No Locating Required: Our detection system operates downwind of the pipeline, allowing us to complete the survey without needing a precise pipeline location. This is particularly beneficial for systems where tracer wire malfunctions frequently occur.

While our equipment detects the presence of methane, our operators are trained to differentiate between true leaks and false positives, such as swamp gas, feedlots, or venting facilities. We achieve this through comprehensive training and hands-on mentorship from senior operators.

We leverage online resources like AbaData and collaborate with industry contacts to determine whether the detected surface emission is due to a below-ground pipeline break, an abandoned well, or another source. If the exact cause is unclear, we work closely with operators to ensure every emission is properly investigated and addressed.

Yes, weather can influence ground-based surveys. For walking surveys, we limit operations to days with dry ground and wind speeds under 35 km/h. However, if road conditions are safe, our SuprSnifr mobile leak detection can operate effectively even in light rain or snow.

The survey speed largely depends on road availability and conditions in the survey area. Our detector samples continuously, even at highway speeds. While high readings can slow the process, we generally cover 1.5 to 2 townships daily in regions with dense pipeline networks.

Yes, the equipment and technology we use have been recognized and accepted by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) since 2007 and by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Energy and Resources (MER) since 2012.

Our gas migration detection method samples emissions at the ground surface using highly sensitive instruments, allowing us to avoid disruptive underground testing. This approach minimizes ground disturbance, making it both more efficient and cost-effective.

Client Portal Access

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