Millennium Projects
Technical Details
Millennium Project Number: M-2002-011
Project Title: FFT Secure Pipe Optic Cable Monitoring System
Projected Start Date: 2002
Projected End Date: 2006
Technical Details:
The objective of this project is to evaluate a new pipeline monitoring technology. The technology known as Secure Pipe requires a fiber optic cable buried above or alongside a gas facility, a control panel, and proprietary equipment and software. The light that travels along the fiber optic cable can be used as a signal that when altered detects and identifies vibrations and pressure created by ground disturbances in the area. What makes this technology unique is that it takes into account multiple parameters (not just vibration) and the cable does not have to be damaged for an alarm to register. The pipeline operator will receive a signal when an unusual ground occurrence takes place, so that they can respond to reduce or eliminate the potential for damage. The developer, Future Fiber technologies (FFT), originally applied this technology on fences for above ground security applications. FFT expanded the technology to include buried pipe systems and is looking to market their products in the US. NYSEARCH is the first US natural gas concern that is testing and evaluating this product for the gas industry.