Satellites Track Pipeline Damage in Middle East

Heat-sensing satellites are being used to track damage to oil and gas pipelines in the Middle East, providing near real-time monitoring of energy infrastructure. The technology, developed by British start-up SatVu, uses high-resolution infrared thermal imagery from low-earth orbit satellites to detect heat signatures indicative of pipeline damage or leaks.

Scott Herman, chief technical officer for SatVu, explained that analysis of these heat signatures can help understand what is happening with a high level of detail. 'It would show up as a pretty bright flare or difference in temperature than what you would expect in a pipeline,' he said.

The technology has been used to monitor the East-West pipeline, which runs across Saudi Arabia and has been targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels. SatVu's images have also captured the impact of drone attacks on facilities such as the Yasref refinery in Yanbu Industrial City, Madinah province.