Leak detection with sniffing dogs for ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Sniffing dog Meki and dog handler Luc from our Pipeline Management team of Intero - The Sniffers went to Singapore for a unique leak detection project on underground road crossings at ExxonMobil. How did this project come along and what was the impression of the ExxonMobil team?

The first encounter between ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (EMAPPL) in Singapore and Intero – The Sniffers dates back to earlier this year when Flanders Investment And Trade had set up an introduction meeting.

Our contact with ExxonMobil taught us that they are dealing with some specific challenges for which The Sniffers was capable of presenting a unique approach with their sniffing dogs.

“Leak detection on underground pipelines with sniffing dogs is the reason Intero – The Sniffers was founded back in 1991. When this opportunity for EMAPPL in Singapore came along, our team was looking forward to working on such a unique project,” reports Kristof Verwaest, Pipeline Division Operations Director of Intero – The Sniffers.

Locating leaks accurately in underground road crossings was a challenge

It was challenging for us to find an accurate and efficient way to evaluate the integrity of pipelines that are only very locally underground, for example at road crossings. Measurement equipment had too many limitations so we had to look for another method.

Dr. Tiow Wee Teck – ExxonMobil Asia Pacific

Pioneering

As far as we know, it’s the first time that dogs have been used in Singapore within large petrochemical plants.

It’s great to see that a giant company like ExxonMobil is not afraid to think outside the standard box and is willing to pioneer with our dogs to achieve their integrity ambitions. It’s even better when this leads to a great success. We are proud to have been able to work with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd on such a unique project and to help them with their challenge.

Kristof Verwaest – Pipeline Division Operations Director Intero – The Sniffers

Special thanks to the entire team of ExxonMobil in Singapore for this opportunity and for collaborating on this case study.