City of Medicine Hat to utilize new technique for annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment

The City says that this technique will assess 85 kilometres of high-pressure pipeline outside of City limits, 23 kilometres of rural gas distribution mains, and 25 rural services.

The laser-based remote sensing technology generates 3D LiDAR™ methane concentration maps to detect a gas leak location and leak rates.

This rural flight complements the annual in-town inspections using a mobile detection vehicle, the City said.

This year, the mobile device will inspect 7,365 residential and commercial services and 134 kilometres of gas main in the regions.

These are highlighted on the City-provided map below.

(Image Credit: City of Medicine Hat)

The Mobile Guard is a vehicle-mounted super sniffer manufactured by global technology leader ABB that uses an anemometer to identify wind direction and a pump that samples air quality as it drives.

The device measures the methane level in the air sample and tracks the location and severity on a map.

It can also detect and provide details on whether any recorded methane is likely to be naturally occurring or gas coming from a pipeline.

The City says the contracted mobile vehicle will drive streets and alleys later this spring on evenings between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. and is easily identified by equipment mounted on the roof and a Hetek Solutions decal.

The City’s manager of gas distribution, Christy Garland, says the mobile vehicle captured data efficiently last year.

“We’re very happy with the results from the mobile detection last year and are able to free up valuable human resources to focus on maintaining the distribution system rather than walking on foot to inspect it,” Garland said in a statement from the City.

“We’re excited to advance with industry standards by now adding aerial surveillance on our rural assets.”

Trained staff will be deployed to investigate any concerns detected by either technology.

The City of Medicine Hat says the necessary assessments are being completed to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the natural gas delivery system.

Any questions can be directed to the Gas Distribution office at 403-529-8190.

by Jesse Gill

City of Medicine Hat to utilize new technique for annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment

Our Community