Protecting Critical Gas Infrastructure with Satellite-Based Monitoring
NaTran leveraged Orbital Eye’s COSMIC-EYE technology to transform their pipeline safety approach, reducing patrol time by 80% while improving coverage of inaccessible areas and reducing environmental impact.
About NaTran
NaTran is a major gas transmission network operator in France, responsible for maintaining thousands of kilometers of critical pipeline infrastructure. Their Research & Innovation (R&I) division is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that enhance network safety, operational efficiency, and enironmental sustainability.
The Challenge
NaTran faced signification challenges with the limitations of traditional pipeline monitoring methods. Their vehicle-based patrol system struggled to effectively cover the entirety of their vast network, particularly in densely populated urban areas. This approach not only generated a substantial carbon footprint but also lacked the early detection capabilities needed to proactively prevent incidents involving Third Party Interferences (TPIs).
Moreover, traditional monitoring was resource intensive, requiring extensive field operator time that could be better directed toward investigating actual threats rather than conducting routing surveillance.
The Solution: Satellite-Based Surveillance
After an extensive evaluation of available technologies, NaTran sselected our COSMIC-EYE solution to complement and enhance their existing monitoring strategy. Key features of the implementation included:
- High-resolution optical satellite imagery, initially at 50 cm/pixel, later improved to 30 cm/pixel during 2022–2023.
- Targeted deployment alongside traditional vehicle patrols, with a focus on high-risk urban areas such as the Île-de-France region.
Seamless integration into NaTran’s operational workflows, ensuring rapid adoption by field teams.
Results and Impact
The implementation of COSMIC-EYE delivered significant, quantifiable benefits:
- Improved Detection: In 2024 alone, COSMIC-EYE detected 3,454 instances of Third Party Interferences, with verified accuracy rate exceeding 90%.
- Broader Coverage: Satellite imagery covered NaTran’s network multiple times per month, including previously hard-to-access areas that posed significant monitoring challenges.
- Increased Efficiency: The technology reduced patrol time by 80%, allowing field operators to focus on verified threats rather than routine monitoring.
Environmental Benefits: By reducing the reliance on vehicle patrols, COSMIC-EYE contributed significantly to lowering NaTran’s carbon emissions, supporting their sustainability objectives.
Looking Ahead
Following the success of the initial deployment, COSMIC-EYE has become an integral part of NaTran’s monitoring strategy, providing insights that weren’t achievable through traditional methods alone. Building on these results, NaTran plans to expand its use of satellite-based monitoring in 2025, optimizing surveillance coverage and enhancing the system’s technological capabilities. Future applications may include gas leak detection and erosion/subsidence prevention, further demonstrating the versatility and long-term value of the COSMIC-EYE platform.