Data doesn't (always) equal insights

Fluxys, operator of the high-pressure natural gas transmission network in Belgium, takes pipeline integrity seriously. They already had a robust PIMS focusing on prevention, early hazard detection, and rapid response. So, the problem wasn't a lack of data, but a lack of actionable insights from that data.

Luckily, Sparkle stepped in with their data science expertise. They designed and built a comprehensive ranking system to assess the integrity risks of all 450,000 gas pipeline segments, predicting which pipelines are more likely to need control and inspection. The system considers a range of factors, including external corrosion, mechanical damage, manufacturing defects, and construction issues.

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Safer pipelines, smarter inspections

The result of Sparkle's hard work is a pipeline risk ranking that is a resounding success. Thanks to their new system, Fluxys Belgium can now visualise which pipelines need to be inspected and/or repaired first, optimise their inspection resources to maximise their impact, and proactively address potential hazards before they become major issues.

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