Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences in 2025
2026-02-06
From Prevention to Intervention: Technological Strategies for Pipeline Integrity and Immediate Pollutant Control
Authors
-
Lei Cao
China Petroleum Pipeline Inspection Technologies Co., Ltd., Langfang 065000, China
-
Denglei Wang
Beijing Xingyou Engineering Project Management Co., Ltd., Beijing 100083, China
-
Lin Tang
China Petroleum Pipeline Inspection Technologies Co., Ltd., Langfang 065000, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i7.13270Abstract
The synthesis of technological strategies used in this review links the traditional pipeline integrity prevention methods with the rapidity of intervention of immediate pollutant control. Although inherent gains of materials, coating, cathodic protection, in-line inspection, and risk-based integrity programs have diminished the likelihood of failures, loss-of-containment events are still being experienced because of interacting degradation mechanisms, exogenous interference, geohazards, and transitory operative conditions. The scale of environmental and safety impacts is thus more and more controlled by system performance once prevention is violated, especially time-to-detect, time-to-localize, and time-to-isolate. We review leak and rupture detection systems involved with computational pipeline monitoring and negative pressure wave or acoustic, distributed fiber-optic sensing, and remote sensing with a strong focus on event classification, false alarm reduction, and uncertainty-sensitive localization and release quantification. The next step is to look at intervention technologies that restrict the avenues of released mass and exposure, such as automated and remotely controlled valves, risk-based segmentation, liquid, vapor, and gas release containment and recovery apparatus, robots/ remote response instruments, as well as real-time environment probing to inform adaptive reaction. This cumulation across these layers concludes with the biggest risk-reduction value, which relates to integration: the standardization of data architectures, resiliency in edges to clouds, verified analytics, and schemas ensuring a skilled combination of automation and human judgment. This review has revealed the continued gaps in field validation, standard performance measures relating detection to reduction of consequences, and cyber-physical resilience. We bring our findings to the recent pathways to deployment and investigate priorities so that end-to-end, consequence-centered integrity management becomes possible.
Keywords:
Pipeline Integrity; Leak Detection; Automated Isolation; Pollutant Mitigation; Digital TwinReferences
[1] Liu, H., 2017. Pipeline Engineering. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA.
[2] Chen, X., Wu, Z., Chen, W., et al., 2019. Selection of Key Indicators for Reputation Loss in Oil and Gas Pipeline Failure Event. Engineering Failure Analysis. 99, 69–84.
[3] Zardasti, L., 2016. Reputation Loss Framework for Consequence Assessment of Onshore Pipeline Damage [PhD Thesis]. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
[4] Antaki, G.A., 2003. Piping and Pipeline Engineering: Design, Construction, Maintenance, Integrity, and Repair. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA.
[5] Singh, R., 2017. Pipeline Integrity: Management and Risk Evaluation. Gulf Professional Publishing: Houston, TX, USA.
[6] Abbas, M.Z., Baker, K., Ayaz, M., et al., 2018. Key Factors Involved in Pipeline Monitoring Techniques Using Robots and WSNs: Comprehensive Survey. Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice. 9(2), 04018001.
[7] Stoianov I., Nachman L., Madden S., et al., 2007. PIPENET: A Wireless Sensor Network for Pipeline Monitoring. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Information Processing in Sensor Networks, Cambridge, MA, USA, 25–27 April 2007.
[8] Wu, Y., Gao, L., Chai, J., et al., 2024. Overview of Health-Monitoring Technology for Long-Distance Transportation Pipeline and Progress in DAS Technology Application. Sensors. 24(2), 413.
[9] Blasch, E., Pham, T., Chong, C.-Y., et al., 2021. Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence for Sensor Data Fusion–Opportunities and Challenges. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine. 36(7), 80–93.
[10] Chen, P., 2025. Advancements and Future Outlook of Safety Monitoring, Inspection and Assessment Technologies for Oil and Gas Pipeline Networks. Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering. 5(4), 100267.
[11] Anjos, J.L., Aranha, P.E., Martins, A.L., et al., 2020. Digital Twin for Well Integrity with Real Time Surveillance. In Proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, USA, 4–7 May 2020.
[12] Onyechi, V.N., 2021. Pipeline Integrity and Risk Prevention: Real-Time Monitoring, Structural Health Analytics, and Failure Mitigation in Harsh Operating Environments. Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews. 3(2), 139–151.
[13] Abubakar, A.S., Abdul Wahab, M.M.B., Shafiq, N., et al., 2024. Integrating Life Cycle Cost Analysis into Pipeline Asset Integrity Management: A Comprehensive Approach in Decision Support Systems. Journal of Hunan University Natural Sciences. 51(1).
[14] Konersmann, R., Kühl, C., Ludwig, J., 2009. On the Risks of Transporting Liquid and Gaseous Fuels in Pipelines. BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing: Berlin, Germany.
[15] Ling, J., Feng, K., Wang, T., et al., 2023. Data Modeling Techniques for Pipeline Integrity Assessment: A State-of-the-Art Survey. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 72, 3518117.
[16] Mahmoud, A.A., Hasan, R., 2025. A Comprehensive Survey on Pipeline Monitoring Technologies: Advancements, Challenges, Market Opportunities and Future Directions. Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering. 100353.
[17] Bęben, D., Steliga, T., 2023. Monitoring and Preventing Failures of Transmission Pipelines at Oil and Natural Gas Plants. Energies. 16(18), 6640.
[18] Kowalczyk, M., Andruszko, J., Stefanek, P., et al., 2024. Failure and Degradation Mechanisms of Steel Pipelines: Analysis and Development of Effective Preventive Strategies. Materials. 18(1), 134.
[19] Xie, Y., Chu, X., Peng, O., et al., 2025. A Mini Review on Coated Pipes: Materials, Manufacturing and Anti-Corrosion Protection. Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology. 60(3), 217–230.
[20] Omoya, O.A., Papadopoulou, K.A., Lou, E., 2019. Reliability Engineering Application to Pipeline Design. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. 36(9), 1644–1662.
[21] Ma, Q., Tian, G., Zeng, Y., et al., 2021. Pipeline In-Line Inspection Method, Instrumentation and Data Management. Sensors. 21(11), 3862.
[22] Vanaei, H., Eslami, A., Egbewande, A., 2017. A Review on Pipeline Corrosion, In-Line Inspection (ILI), and Corrosion Growth Rate Models. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 149, 43–54.
[23] Hussels, M.-T., Chruscicki, S., Arndt, D., et al., 2019. Localization of Transient Events Threatening Pipeline Integrity by Fiber-Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing. Sensors. 19(15), 3322.
[24] Wenman, T., Dim, J., 2012. Pipeline Integrity Management. In Proceedings of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 11–14 November 2012.
[25] Meshkati, N., 2006. Safety and Human Factors Considerations in Control Rooms of Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems: Conceptual Issues and Practical Observations. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 12(1), 79–93.
[26] Alanazi, M., Mahmood, A., Chowdhury, M.J.M., et al., 2023. SCADA vulnerabilities and attacks: A review of the state-of-the-art and open issues. Computers & Security. 125, 103028.
[27] Hopkins, P., 2012. Why Failures Happen and How to Prevent Future Failures. Journal of Pipeline Engineering. 11(2).
[28] Zaman, D., Tiwari, M.K., Gupta, A.K., et al., 2020. A Review of Leakage Detection Strategies for Pressurised Pipeline in Steady-State. Engineering Failure Analysis. 109, 104264.
[29] Wong, B., McCann, J.A., 2021. Failure Detection Methods for Pipeline Networks: From Acoustic Sensing to Cyber-Physical Systems. Sensors. 21(15), 4959.
[30] Adedeji, K.B., Hamam, Y., Abe, B.T., et al., 2017. Towards Achieving a Reliable Leakage Detection and Localization Algorithm for Application in Water Piping Networks: An Overview. IEEE Access. 5, 20272–20285.
[31] Adebangbe, S.A., 2025. Monitoring and Managing Oil Spillage and Environmental Degradation through Geoinformation [PhD Thesis]. University of Glasgow: Glasgow, UK.
[32] Besigomwe, K., 2025. Human-in-the-Loop Self-Healing Systems: Integrating Human Oversight for Autonomous Failure Detection, Repair and System Optimization. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies. 5(3), 254–267.
[33] Zhong, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, P., 2022. Pipeline Risk Big Data Intelligent Decision-Making System Based on Machine Learning and Situation Awareness. Neural Computing and Applications. 34(18), 15221–15239.
[34] Adebisi, B., Aigbedion, E., Ayorinde, O.B., et al., 2021. A Conceptual Model for Predictive Asset Integrity Management Using Data Analytics to Enhance Maintenance and Reliability in Oil & Gas Operations. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation. 2(1), 534–554.
[35] Dickerson, P., Worthen, J., 2024. Optimizing Pipeline Systems for Greater Precision, Efficiency & Safety Using Emerging Technologies. In Proceedings of the PSIG Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC, USA, 7–10 May 2024.
[36] Dey, P.K., 2004. Decision Support System for Inspection and Maintenance: A Case Study of Oil Pipelines. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. 51(1), 47–56.
[37] Arya, D.A., 2021. Pipeline Integrity Management. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. 7(4), 1266–1298.
[38] Muhlbauer, W.K., Murray, J., 2024. Pipeline Risk Management. In Handbook of Pipeline Engineering. Springer: Cham, Switzerland. pp. 939–957.
[39] He, G., Tian, Z., Liao, K., et al., 2023. Numerical Investigation on the Migration of Leaked Pollutants after Liquid Pressurized Pipeline Leakage Regarding Oil and Gas Parallel Pipelines Situation. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 177, 1–16.
[40] Ferdous, C.M.R., Beaudin, C., Payoe, A., et al., 2018. Development and Execution of Consequence Assessment for Liquid Pipeline Facilities. In Proceedings of the International Pipeline Conference, Calgary, AB, Canada, 24–28 September 2018.
[41] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016. Spills of Diluted Bitumen from Pipelines: A Comparative Study of Environmental Fate, Effects, and Response. National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA.
[42] Alakalabi, A., 2023. Dispersion of Heavy Petroleum Gases in the Atmosphere [PhD Thesis]. University of Central Lancashire: Preston, UK.
[43] Zhu, H., Mao, Z., Wang, Q., et al., 2013. The Influences of Key Factors on the Consequences Following the Natural Gas Leakage from Pipeline. Procedia Engineering. 62, 592–601.
[44] Di Castro, M., 2019. A Novel Robotic Framework for Safe Inspection and Telemanipulation in Hazardous and Unstructured Environments [PhD Thesis]. Industriales: Madrid, Spain.
[45] John, B., Shafeek, M., 2022. Pipe Inspection Robots: A Review. IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering. 1272(1), 012016.
[46] Kuppusamy, S., Palanisami, T., Megharaj, M., et al., 2016. In-Situ Remediation Approaches for the Management of Contaminated Sites: A Comprehensive Overview. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 236, 1–115.
[47] O'Connor, D., Hou, D., Ok, Y.S., et al., 2018. Sustainable In Situ Remediation of Recalcitrant Organic Pollutants in Groundwater with Controlled Release Materials: A Review. Journal of Controlled Release. 283, 200–213.
[48] Khanam, Z., Sultana, F.M., Mushtaq, F., 2023. Environmental Pollution Control Measures and Strategies: An Overview of Recent Developments. In Geospatial Analytics for Environmental Pollution Modeling: Analysis, Control and Management. Springer Nature Switzerland: Cham, Switzerland. pp. 385–414.
[49] Grifoni, M., Franchi, E., Fusini, D., et al., 2022. Soil Remediation: Towards a Resilient and Adaptive Approach to Deal with the Ever-Changing Environmental Challenges. Environments. 9(2), 18.
[50] Revie, R.W., 2015. Oil and Gas Pipelines: Integrity and Safety Handbook. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA.
[51] Iqbal, H., Tesfamariam, S., Haider, H., et al., 2017. Inspection and Maintenance of Oil & Gas Pipelines: A Review of Policies. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering. 13(6), 794–815.
[52] Yakoot, M.S., Elgibaly, A.A., Ragab, A.M.S., et al., 2021. Well Integrity Management in Mature Fields: A State-of-the-Art Review on the System Structure and Maturity. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. 11(4), 1833–1853.
[53] Nasser, A.H.A., Ndalila, P.D., Mawugbe, E.A., et al., 2021. Mitigation of Risks Associated with Gas Pipeline Failure by Using Quantitative Risk Management Approach: A Descriptive Study on Gas Industry. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 9(10), 1098.
Downloads
How to Cite
Cao, L., Wang, D., & Tang, L. (2026). From Prevention to Intervention: Technological Strategies for Pipeline Integrity and Immediate Pollutant Control. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 8(7), 68–82. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i7.13270
Issue
Article Type
Review
License
Copyright © 2026 Lei Cao, Denglei Wang, Lin Tang
This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.
