BHE GT&S Deploys Satellite Monitoring Across 3,700 Miles of Northeast Pipelines
BHE GT&S has adopted satellite-based monitoring across 3,700 miles of Northeast pipeline infrastructure, replacing helicopter patrols with AI-driven surveillance technology.
(P&GJ) — Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s Gas Transmission & Storage unit (BHE GT&S) has awarded Orbital Eye a contract to monitor approximately 3,700 miles of liquids and natural gas pipelines in the northeastern United States using satellite-based surveillance technology.
The deployment marks a shift from traditional helicopter patrols to satellite-powered monitoring supported by Orbital Eye’s AI-driven COSMIC-EYE platform. The system is designed to provide more frequent inspections and reduce weather-related disruptions across a broad pipeline corridor.
BHE GT&S operates an extensive network of natural gas and liquids infrastructure and said the technology supports its focus on safety, reliability and regulatory compliance.
Pipeline operators have traditionally relied on aerial patrols to monitor rights-of-way, but those methods can be costly and limited by weather and access constraints. Increasing development activity near pipeline corridors has also heightened the need for earlier detection of potential third-party interference and surface disturbances.
According to Orbital Eye, the satellite system is designed to identify excavation activity, construction work and other third-party threats, along with vegetation clearing and land-use changes near pipeline rights-of-way. The platform also provides class location monitoring by identifying new or removed structures within the corridor.
The companies said the approach allows for scalable monitoring across thousands of miles of infrastructure while improving prioritization of higher-risk areas.
For Orbital Eye, the contract represents its first operational deployment in the United States, following previous projects in Europe and Asia.