Princeton Junction, NJ – May, 2013 – Recently, MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE:MG) Buried Pipeline leak detection capabilities were utilized by a leading pipeline company in a quick and efficient manner to detect and locate a petroleum pipeline leak under a critical, high-volume highway. The presence of a leak was confirmed somewhere below an 80-foot section of road crossing, but the exact location was unknown. Prior to the leak, the pipeline company spent nearly a year investigating leak detection methods and systems. It was because of that research and foresight it was able to contact MISTRAS so quickly. Subsequently, MISTRAS’ emergency response team was dispatched to the scene. After MISTRAS’ first Acoustic Emission (AE) test pinpointed the leak source, the pipeline company excavated and repaired the leak within 24 hours. MISTRAS then performed a second test after the repair to rule out any secondary leaks. By using MISTRAS’ AE systems and support to pinpoint the leak location, the pipeline company was able to significantly minimize road closures and traffic disruptions. Local authorities originally told the public repair work was expected to take up to two weeks – a large portion of that time to be spent locating the leak with large-scale excavation. But MISTRAS systems and services pinpointed the leak to within several feet. This meant the excavation was more surgical and a full-scale, long-term shutdown of the roadway was avoided – cutting the total job time in half. Thanks to the teamwork between MISTRAS and the pipeline company, a large-scale excavation on one of the state’s busiest roads during the holiday season was avoided. And most importantly, public safety was never in question – thanks to the timely nature of the leak detection as well as the prompt and proactive decisions and actions by the pipeline company. This effort in quickly and efficiently solving a critical environmental challenge is proof of MISTRAS’ industry-leading role as an asset protection solutions provider. MISTRAS has provided instruments and services for a host of industrial and governmental agencies worldwide to monitor critical pipeline sections. Continuous 24/7 Acoustic Emission monitoring with real-time leak alarms are typically used for river or highway crossings, nuclear power plants, refineries, tank bottoms, off-shore, and other areas that cannot be inspected by traditional inspection methods. |