The "smart pig" that travels through the pipe to conduct the inspection.
Most people never think about the natural gas transmission line running quietly beneath the ground. But every seven years, this critical piece of infrastructure undergoes a comprehensive inspection to keep it operating safely and reliably.
In early May, Liberty and Enbridge coordinated the inspection of the 12-inch pipeline that stretches approximately 17 miles between Canada and Massena, New York. A sophisticated inspection tool, known as a "smart pig," traveled through the line, carried by the flow of natural gas, and completed its journey at Liberty's receiver site in Massena in about three hours. Along the way, the device collected detailed information about the condition of the pipe and identified potential concerns that can't be seen from the surface.
Liberty's receiver site in Massena, NY.
The inspection is more than just an inspection; it’s a powerful display of technology in action. The information gathered allows Liberty and Enbridge to evaluate the condition of the line and make smarter decisions on when and where repairs are needed.
While the work takes place out of sight and out of mind, inspections like this are critical in keeping energy flowing safely and reliably to the communities we serve.
