Overcoming Challenges in Technology Adoption: A Case Study in Fiber Optic Sensing

Abstract

Adoption of cutting-edge digitization tools in the energy sector is often challenged by an underestimation of value-in-use stemming from a lack of publicly available information regarding the breadth of technological capabilities and associated use-case economics. This paper seeks to address such challenges – as they pertain to advanced fiber optic sensing systems for monitoring of pipelines and other energy infrastructure - by providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the full range of operational applications and current economics for the state-of-the-art in the field, with a focus on case studies and value add benefits that have emerged more recently for many operators. Distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) continues to see strong commercial growth in the Canadian energy sector, largely due to its exceptional suitability for real time detection of pinhole-level leaks along the full length of long-run pipeline assets. Combining the remarkable sensitivity and lightspeed transmission capabilities of DFOS with the analytical horsepower of the latest machine learning (ML) strategies allows pipeline operators to accurately detect and characterize even minute integrity events (like the pinhole leaks noted above) in real-time, regardless of when or where these occur within their vast asset networks. As a result, many operators have gained at least some familiarity with distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) systems and a basic understanding of their performance capabilities and general economics. The downside of this singular focus on the leak detection capability and use case is, of course, that industry may elect not to adopt – or at a minimum fail to exploit the full potential of - this rapidly evolving technology, particularly as novel applications dramatically increase DFOS’ value in use. Rapid commercial growth has also driven down DFOS costs as deployment methods and system architectures are optimized over millions of pipeline meters, resulting in an often-substantial gap between perceived adoption cost and real project economics. This combination of capability underestimation and life-cycle cost overestimation presents a major challenge for many technology adoption scenarios, with analysis made all the more difficult by a general lack of publicly available project details. This paper reviews case studies from recent DFOS deployments, with a focus on the operational value-in-use realized for a cross-section of commercial applications (i.e., pig tracking, real-time remediation support, temporary pipeline (‘layflat’) management, etc.) as well as the broader business case for life cycle technology costs (i.e., ROI metrics) aimed at providing an accurate understanding of both the costs and capabilities of advanced DFOS systems for integrity management of energy infrastructure. Ultimately the paper will help operators better understand the current state of DFOS technology and make informed decisions regarding its potential and business case to support their existing operations.