Geospatial Intelligence for Critical Infrastructure

Pipeline Integrity

Through Persistent

Surveillance

Multi-modal reconnaissance fusing drone sorties, satellite imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and AI-driven anomaly detection to safeguard Nigeria's critical energy infrastructure.

0+
Pipeline Kilometres Monitored
0%
Anomaly Detection Rate
<0hr
Max Threat Response Time
Undetected Incidents
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Risk Assessment

Persistent Threats Demand Persistent Surveillance

Nigeria's pipeline network spans over 5,000 kilometres of critical energy infrastructure across the Niger Delta and beyond. Every kilometre faces persistent threats from environmental degradation, vandalism, illegal bunkering, and evolving regulatory mandates. Passive monitoring is no longer sufficient.

Corrosion & Material Degradation

Subsurface and external corrosion accelerated by tropical soil chemistry, mangrove swamp conditions, cathodic protection failures, and environmental stressors across the Niger Delta pipeline network.

68%of pipeline failures

Vandalism & Third-Party Encroachment

Pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, unauthorized excavation, and land-use changes within the right-of-way corridor that compromise pipeline integrity and safety margins.

34%annual ROW violations

Geohazard Exposure

Flooding, coastal erosion, subsidence, and terrain deformation threatening buried and above-ground pipeline segments across the Niger Delta, mangrove swamps, and offshore corridors.

2.4xrisk increase in unstable terrain

Regulatory Non-Compliance

Evolving NUPRC, NOSDRA, and DPR mandates requiring continuous monitoring documentation, incident reporting, and integrity verification protocols.

₦1.2Bavg. penalty per violation
Surveillance Workflow

How Our Surveillance
System Operates

A systematic, four-phase intelligence pipeline that transforms raw sensor data into actionable operational insights — from airborne acquisition to enterprise integration.

01
Drone & Satellite Acquisition

Aerial Reconnaissance

Multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAV sorties capture high-resolution RGB, multispectral, and thermal imagery along pipeline corridors. Concurrent satellite passes provide wide-area synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical coverage for change detection baselines.

Sub-centimeter GSD resolution
Dual-band thermal (LWIR/MWIR)
SAR interferometry capable
NCAA BVLOS operations certified
02
3D Point Cloud Generation

LiDAR & Sensor Fusion

Airborne LiDAR scanning generates dense 3D point clouds of terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure. Sensor fusion combines LiDAR returns with thermal signatures and multispectral data to create comprehensive geospatial intelligence layers.

300+ points per sq. meter
Vegetation penetration capable
Digital terrain model extraction
Infrastructure asset classification
03
Anomaly Detection & Classification

AI-Powered Analytics

Machine learning models trained on pipeline-specific datasets process fused sensor data in near real-time. Convolutional neural networks detect anomalies including leaks, encroachment, terrain deformation, and coating degradation with sub-meter precision.

99.7% anomaly detection rate
False positive rate < 0.3%
Near real-time processing
Continuous model retraining
04
Actionable Intelligence Delivery

GIS Integration & Reporting

Processed intelligence feeds directly into enterprise GIS platforms, SCADA systems, and pipeline integrity management systems (PIMS). Automated alerts, georeferenced reports, and NUPRC-compliant documentation are generated for immediate operational response.

ArcGIS / QGIS integration
NUPRC-compatible data export
Automated compliance reports
Real-time dashboard access
Core Capabilities

Comprehensive Pipeline
Intelligence Suite

Purpose-built analytical capabilities addressing every dimension of pipeline integrity, security, and regulatory compliance.

01

Leak Detection Analytics

Multispectral and thermal imaging algorithms identify hydrocarbon seepage, methane plumes, and fluid migration patterns invisible to standard inspection methods.

LWIR ThermalGas SpectroscopyML Classification
02

Right-of-Way Monitoring

Continuous surveillance of pipeline corridors detects unauthorized construction, vegetation overgrowth, erosion, and access road degradation within regulated right-of-way zones.

Change DetectionTemporal AnalysisGeoFencing
03

Encroachment Detection

AI-driven comparison of temporal imagery identifies new structures, earthmoving activity, and land-use changes within defined buffer zones around pipeline assets.

Object DetectionSAR AnalysisAlert Automation
04

Terrain Change Analysis

Differential DEM analysis from repeat LiDAR surveys quantifies soil movement, slope instability, and ground deformation threatening pipeline alignment and burial depth.

InSARDEM DifferencingStrain Modeling
05

Cathodic Protection Assessment

Indirect survey data integration with aerial inspection identifies coating anomalies, CP system performance gaps, and corrosion-susceptible segments.

CIS IntegrationCoating AnalysisRisk Scoring
06

Environmental Compliance Monitoring

Vegetation health indices, waterbody proximity analysis, and habitat impact assessment supporting NOSDRA environmental permit requirements and remediation verification.

NDVI AnalysisWetland MappingImpact Reporting
Technology Stack

Enterprise-Grade
Surveillance Architecture

Purpose-built technology ecosystem designed for pipeline-specific data acquisition, processing, and intelligence delivery at scale.

Aerial Platforms

Fixed-Wing UAV
120km range, BVLOS certified
Multi-Rotor UAV
45min endurance, precision hover
Satellite Tasking
Sub-meter optical, SAR capable

Sensor Payloads

LiDAR Scanner
300+ pts/m², dual-return
Thermal Imager
LWIR/MWIR, 50mK NETD
Multispectral Camera
5-band, calibrated radiance
RGB Mapping Camera
61MP, 2cm GSD @ 120m AGL

Processing & Analytics

CNN Anomaly Detection
Custom pipeline-trained models
Change Detection Engine
Temporal differencing, SAR InSAR
Point Cloud Processing
Classification, segmentation, DEM
Spectral Analysis
Gas detection, vegetation indices

Data Infrastructure

Enterprise GIS
ArcGIS, QGIS, PostGIS
Cloud Processing
GPU-accelerated, auto-scaling
PODS Integration
Industry-standard data exchange
API / Dashboard
Real-time alerts, custom views
Industry Applications

Sector-Specific
Surveillance Solutions

Tailored surveillance programs for every segment of the pipeline value chain — from upstream gathering to downstream distribution.

Sector 01

Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines

Long-haul transmission pipeline monitoring across Nigeria's diverse terrain — from the Niger Delta mangrove swamps to northern savannah corridors. Continuous integrity assessment for high-consequence areas and critical crossings.

Critical area monitoring & ILI correlation
Valve station surveillance
River & creek crossing inspection
Sector 02

Upstream Gathering Networks

High-density gathering network surveillance in active production basins across the Niger Delta. Rapid detection of vandalism, illegal bunkering, and third-party encroachment in high-risk zones.

Wellhead encroachment alerts
Gathering line leak surveys
Illegal bunkering detection
Sector 03

Natural Gas Distribution

Urban and industrial gas distribution network monitoring. Methane emission detection, excavation damage prevention, and infrastructure mapping for pipeline rehabilitation programmes.

Methane emission quantification
Excavation activity verification
Asset condition assessment
Sector 04

NLNG & Offshore Pipelines

Specialised surveillance for NLNG terminal approach corridors, offshore pipeline landfalls, and subsea pipeline routes. Thermal monitoring and coastal subsidence tracking across Nigeria's offshore infrastructure.

Terminal perimeter security
Coastal erosion monitoring
Thermal anomaly detection
Sector 05

Downstream & Refinery Networks

Surveillance of product pipeline networks connecting refineries to depots and distribution centres. Monitoring for illegal tapping, product theft, and pipeline degradation across downstream infrastructure.

Product theft detection
Depot perimeter monitoring
Pipeline condition assessment
Sector 06

Government & Regulatory Bodies

Independent verification and compliance monitoring services for NUPRC, DPR, NOSDRA, and state environmental agencies requiring third-party integrity assessments.

Regulatory compliance audit support
Incident investigation data
Community safety zone analysis
Compliance & Safety

Regulatory Alignment
Built into Every Survey

Our surveillance programmes are engineered to generate compliance-ready documentation aligned with Nigerian federal and industry standards — reducing audit burden and regulatory risk.

NUPRC

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission

Full compliance with NUPRC pipeline safety and integrity management regulations, including upstream petroleum operations monitoring, reporting, and environmental protection requirements.

DPR Guidelines

Department of Petroleum Resources Standards

Surveillance data directly supports DPR integrity assessment intervals, risk-based inspection scheduling, and preventive and mitigative measures validation for pipeline operators.

NOSDRA

National Oil Spill Detection & Response Agency

Aerial and satellite data integration supporting NOSDRA oil spill detection, environmental impact assessment, and remediation verification across pipeline corridors and host communities.

PIA 2021

Petroleum Industry Act Compliance

Supporting compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act provisions for environmental management, host community development, and pipeline infrastructure integrity monitoring.

EGASPIN

Environmental Guidelines & Standards (EGASPIN)

Monitoring and reporting aligned with EGASPIN environmental guidelines for petroleum industry operations, including effluent limitations, air quality, and land contamination standards.

NCAA RPAS

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Drone Regulations

All drone operations conducted under NCAA RPAS regulations with active BVLOS approvals, night operations authorisation, and operations over populated areas certification.

ISO 9001:2015
ISO 27001
ISO 14001
NCAA RPAS Certified
NUPRC Registered
Case Scenario

Threat Detection in
Real-World Operations

Active Scenario — Niger Delta, Rivers State

Subsurface Leak Detection via Thermal-LiDAR Fusion

Situation

A 24-inch crude oil trunk line operating at 95 bar traverses 76 kilometres of mangrove and riverine terrain in Rivers State. Routine ILI identified minimal anomalies, but community reports suggested potential subsurface seepage near a creek crossing at KP 50.5.

Detection

Thermal imaging sortie detected a 2.3°C anomaly cluster along a 120-meter segment. LiDAR differencing revealed 0.8m terrain subsidence compared to baseline survey. Multispectral analysis confirmed stressed vegetation patterns consistent with hydrocarbon contact.

Response

Automated alert triggered within 47 minutes of data acquisition. Georeferenced report delivered to pipeline control centre with precise excavation coordinates. Operator mobilised repair crew — confirmed pinhole leak at girth weld, 1.3 metres below grade.

42°C12°CTHERMAL SCAN | KP 50.5 | 2024-11-14T09:47:22ZANOMALY: +2.3°C | CONF: 97.2% | CLASS: SUBSURFACE LEAK
Detection Time
47 min
from sortie to alert
Location Accuracy
< 0.5m
GPS-referenced coordinates
Estimated Spill Prevention
~12,000 bbl
vs. next scheduled inspection
Remediation Cost Avoided
₦4.8B
environmental + regulatory
Get Started

Schedule a Technical
Consultation

Connect with our pipeline surveillance engineers to discuss your infrastructure monitoring requirements. We'll assess your corridor, define the optimal sensor suite, and design a surveillance programme tailored to your operational and regulatory needs across Nigeria.

Technical Assessment
Engineering review of your pipeline corridor, terrain, and threat profile
Custom Surveillance Design
Tailored sensor configuration and flight planning for your specific assets
ROI Analysis
Cost-benefit modeling comparing aerial surveillance to traditional methods
Pilot Program Proposal
Scoped proof-of-concept to validate detection capabilities on your corridor
Phone Number
+234(90)88800007
Contact Email
info@indepthearth.com
Address
3 Dawari Street, Off Ada-George Road, Rivers State, Nigeria
Working Time
Mon – Fri (8am–5pm)
Closed during Holidays

Enterprise Inquiry

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