Digitalisation has become an important part of city gas distribution (CGD) business processes ranging from network planning, engineering, and operations and maintenance (O&M) to complete management of network assets. Technologies such as internet of things, big data and cloud computing are changing the way CGD companies do business. SAP-IS-utilities (SAP-ISU); comprehensive web-geographic information system (GIS) solutions; centralised supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems; integration of SCADA, GIS and SAP-ISU with customer care; SAP plant maintenance (PM) modules; and online monitoring portals for piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) are some of the most significant recent digitalisation initiatives in Indian CGD networks.
With the help of SAP-ISU, a customer can lodge various types of complaints and avail of various services via the online portal. Further, it can be integrated with SCADA and GIS. Centralised SCADA helps monitor the upstream pressure for each CNG compressor, price changes for CNG, and fire alarms and gas detectors. It also facilitates online reconciliation of gas. Meanwhile, a central customer care facility for all geographical areas has demonstrated effective reporting and handling of emergency issues such as leakages and fire in a time-bound manner. SAP PM modules help with preventive/corrective maintenance of all critical equipment, while also helping manage databases of all equipment, monitor inventory for spares and consumables, and utilise historic data for predictive maintenance.
Digitalisation is one of the key emerging trends transforming the entire CGD sector. From demand management to improving operational resilience, from remote condition monitoring to real-time customer communication, new technologies and data analytics have enabled CGD companies to achieve specific business goals, while simultaneously maximising efficiency.
IT-OT convergence
Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are increasingly being utilised to enhance consumer services, increase process efficiency and streamline operations. The convergence of IT and OT enables CGD entities to earn higher returns on investment (RoI). This, in turn, results in access to better quality information for decision-making, and improvement in asset management capabilities. The IT systems present across major CGD utilities include enterprise resource planning, facility management information systems, material management systems, human resource systems, marketing systems and customer relationship management systems. The OT component is typically responsible for overseeing CGD operations.
Safety technologies
CGD operations are susceptible to safety issues. To address this, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has established comprehensive technical safety standards. This encompasses technical standards and specifications such as safety standards (T4S), emergency response and disaster management plans, and integrity management systems for city and natural gas distribution networks. The regulations cover all aspects of CGD, including O&M. However, CNG stations adhere to the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2004, set by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation, a regulatory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. They also comply with the standards established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD-STD-179). CGD pipes are vulnerable to cuts and leakages arising from the alignment of other utility structures, pipelines, optical fibre cables and sewage pipelines along the same route.
The safety measures implemented at the city gate stations encompass various technologies and protocols. These include an O&M manual that outlines standard operating procedures, an Environment Rehabilitation Disaster Management Planning manual with mock drills, trained directorate general resettlement security personnel, round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, a remotely operated central gas systems isolation valve, a slam-shut valve in the metering skid, as well as automated point type gas detectors, smoke detectors and open path detectors.
Steel and polyethylene pipes have been provided 24×7 emergency response vehicles and manned emergency control rooms. Pipeline patrolling is conducted regularly, with monitoring of odorant concentration. Underground safety valves have been installed every 3 km, and every fourth valve is a remote-operated valve. Warning tapes have been placed 300 mm below the surface, along with “dial before dig” markers. Frequent awareness programmes are conducted, and slam-shut valves have been deployed at district regulating skid (DRS) and metering and regulating skid locations.
For PNG stations, DRSs have been equipped with slam-shut valves to prevent over- and under-pressure, as well as creep valves. Service regulators have been equipped with shut-off valves to deal with both over- and under-pressure, while meter regulators include a shut-off feature specifically for under-pressure situations caused by leakage. In addition, CNG stations now offer O&M services for compressors by original equipment manufacturer-qualified operators. These stations are equipped with gas detectors, flame detectors, CO2 flooding systems for compressors and breakaway couplings in the dispenser.
Emerging technologies
Drones are emerging as a new technology for aerial inspection, thermal imaging and mapping. Predictive analytics is another technology that analyses data and forecasts potential failures using algorithms based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Other upcoming technologies include the application of sophisticated sensors for real-time monitoring of non-piggable pipelines, and affordable smart metering solutions for the analysis of data collected using dashboards, analytical tools and innovative software. Further, the Call Before You Dig application is being deployed currently. App-based operations have also prevailed, including for invoicing and O&M. For future gas grids, in order to develop self-healing networks with superior network control, technologies such as integrated multi-geographical area operation modules are in the pipeline.
Key challenges
The expanding coverage of GAs has raised concerns about the flow of information in the industry. Additionally, as digitalisation advances, ensuring data security is becoming a critical problem. Ensuring sufficient cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems from cyberattacks is a significant challenge. CGD operators must ensure that their risk management and response processes are prepared for a digitally controlled environment. Additionally, there is a need to monitor the extensive network being constructed and operated, as well as track complaints related to PNG/CNG/instrumentation and control through historical data. It is also important to monitor the breakdown and maintenance data of critical equipment.
The lack of clarity regarding the exclusivity period for PNG/CNG portability and the exclusion of the gas sector from the goods and services tax regime are also serious issues. The coordination of rapid and effective responses to emergencies, limited asset monetisation and the establishment of a collective forum of CGD entities to address concerns at the appropriate level are additional challenges.
The way forward
With the advent of new technologies, many companies are exploring new digital approaches to improve and enhance productivity and efficiency. The increasing deployment of advanced IT-OT convergence solutions is helping companies monitor their critical assets on a real-time basis. The real-time monitoring and control of gas distribution equipment will further help avoid challenging and hazardous situations such as leakages, thus enabling a safe environment for workers and ensuring operational efficiency. Going forward, the wide adoption of digitalisation will help CGD networks transform operational processes by harnessing data to leverage opportunities, while maximising revenue and profitability.
With inputs from a presentation by Alok Anand, General Manager, CGD, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, at a recent India Infrastructure conference