In order to address the pipeline security concern, GAIL (India) in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a unit of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has launched an innovative surveillance geo-portal called ‘Bhuvan-GAIL portal’ utilizing space technology for its pipeline application. Despite all challenges, GAIL has proved that the space technology can be efficiently used for monitoring the pipeline Right of Use (RoU). GAIL has over 13000 Km of Pipeline network wherein monthly monitoring of pipeline ROU at present is being carried out through Helicopter surveys.
GAIL will start live satellite monitoring of the pipeline RoU by January 2016 and is also looking for alternative methods like advance Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV) which can also be integrated with this system. GAIL also developed an innovative mobile application, from which the pictures of the exception taken locally from any mobile describing the actual scenario can be uploaded instantly to the portal. A report system integrated with this Bhuvan-GAIL portal can send alerts to the relevant executives via SMS and email regarding the changes noted along the ROU and also arrival of any new satellite imagery. To establish the technical feasibility of utilizing space technology for its pipeline applications, GAIL started the study with Imageries from Indian Satellites and later shifted to very high resolution foreign satellites.
