Satellite-Powered Monitoring for U.S. Pipeline Networks
Orbital Eye has been awarded a major contract to monitor approximately 3,700 miles of liquids and natural gas pipelines in the northeastern United States for Berkshire Hathaway Gas Transmission & Storage (BHE GT&S).
This milestone marks the first time a U.S. pipeline operator has adopted satellite monitoring as its primary method for infrastructure oversight, representing a significant step forward for the industry.
Previously monitored by helicopter patrols, the network is now supported by Orbital Eye’s AI-powered COSMIC-EYE platform, enabling faster detection, weather-independent monitoring, and more frequent inspections across a large and complex pipeline corridor.
About BHE GT&S
Berkshire Hathaway Gas Transmission & Storage (BHE GT&S) is a U.S.-based pipeline operator responsible for an extensive network of critical liquids and natural gas infrastructure. With safety, reliability, and regulatory alignment as core priorities, BHE GT&S continuously evaluates technologies that strengthen operational oversight and support proactive risk management.
The Challenge
Traditional pipeline monitoring methods, such as helicopter patrols, can be effective but are resource-intensive and difficult to scale across thousands of miles. Coverage frequency is often constrained by logistics, cost, and weather conditions, making consistent visibility across remote or hard-to-access areas challenging.
At the same time, pipeline corridors face increasing external pressures, including ongoing construction, land development, vegetation clearance, and evolving land-use patterns. These dynamics increase the likelihood of Third-Party Activity and surface disturbances near the Right-of-Way, requiring earlier detection to reduce risk and improve response times.
The Solution: COSMIC-EYE Satellite Monitoring
With COSMIC-EYE, Orbital Eye provides satellite-powered monitoring that integrates AI-driven analytics to deliver actionable insights.
Key elements of the deployment include:
Wide-area satellite monitoring
Monitoring approximately 3,700 miles of pipeline corridor, enabling scalable and consistent oversight beyond the limitations of fixed patrol routes.
AI-powered detection of Third-Party Activity
Identification of excavations, construction activities, and other potential third-party threats, allowing operators to detect risks earlier and prioritize response.
Surface disturbance monitoring
Detection of land-use changes, vegetation clearances, and other disturbances that may indicate emerging risks near critical assets.
Class Location Monitoring
Automated identification of new, existing, and removed structures in the wider pipeline corridor, supporting integrity management and regulatory awareness.
Results and Operational Impact
This deployment demonstrates that satellite-based monitoring has moved beyond emerging technology into proven operational infrastructure practice even in large and complex U.S. environments.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced dependence on weather-sensitive patrol methods
- Faster identification of Third-Party Activity and unusual events
- Clearer prioritisation of high-risk situations
- Scalable monitoring across extensive networks
By integrating satellite monitoring into its operations, BHE GT&S strengthens its ability to detect excavations, construction activities, vegetation clearances, land-use changes, and other disturbances at an early stage, supporting proactive risk management and safer operations.
A Milestone for the U.S. Market
For Orbital Eye, this contract represents its first operational deployment in the United States, building on more than a decade of large-scale experience across Europe and Asia.
It confirms that satellite-powered monitoring is not only scalable and reliable but also ready to support modern infrastructure management in the U.S. market.