An autonomous robot capable of detecting potential pipeline leaks and structural failures during subsea inspections is being developed by researchers from the University of Houston.

Current methods for preventing pipeline leaks and subsequent oil spills, which leak toxic and corrosive fluids and leads to significant environmental pollution, requires timely inspection of subsea infrastructure. Yet, current inspection techniques often rely on the availability of trained human divers, which are in short supply.
Source: University of HoustonSource: University of Houston

As such, the University of Houston team has developed SmartTouch technology, which includes remote operated vehicles (ROVs) — featuring several stress wave-based smart touch sensors, video cameras and scanning sonars — that swim alongside subsea pipelines to inspect flange bolts.

Further, the ROV will look out for other causes of oil and gas pipeline failures — equipment malfunctions, corrosion, weather and other natural causes, or vessel-related accidents. Corrosion in particular, the researchers explained, is cause for the majority of small leaks, but these leaks can be devastating to the environment. As such, the automated robots are expected to monitor for corrosion to mitigate opportunities for pipeline failure.

“By automating the inspection process with this…robotic technology, we can dramatically reduce the cost and risk of these important subsea inspections which will lead to safer operations of offshore oil and gas pipelines as less intervention from human divers will be needed,” the robot’s developers explained.

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