Key pipeline solution updates
Building on the success of Q1 2026, we've continued supporting pipeline operators around the world with leak detection, theft detection and simulation solutions that help protect critical infrastructure.
From supporting one of the world's largest desalination pipeline projects and entering the nuclear power sector to helping operators combat increasingly sophisticated theft techniques across two continents, Q2 demonstrated how Atmos technologies continue to evolve alongside the challenges facing the industries we serve.
Below is a selection of success stories from a busy quarter at Atmos, including:
- Supporting one of the world's largest desalination pipeline projects
- Detecting increasingly sophisticated pipeline thefts in Asia and Europe
- Entering the nuclear power sector with our first nuclear power plant project
Supporting one of the world's largest desalination pipeline projects
Atmos recently completed another important milestone on a major desalination project supporting mining operations in Latin America (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: On site at the customer’s desalination plant
The project will transport desalinated seawater through a 160 km, 48 inch pipeline from sea level to approximately 3,000 m above sea level, using three pumping stages to overcome the significant elevation increases.
As part of the latest phase, Atmos engineers carried out pre-commissioning activities for the Atmos Wave Flow leak detection system. This included powering up the system, validating communications between the Atmos AWAS units and servers, testing field instrumentation and delivering super user training to customer personnel.
The next stage of the project will focus on integrating the leak detection system with the customer's SCADA system before live data acquisition begins once pipeline construction has been completed.
Supporting reliable pipeline monitoring on long-distance, high elevation infrastructure
Detecting increasingly sophisticated pipeline thefts
Atmos Wave LDS detected multiple thefts on a crude oil pipeline in Asia, several tapping points were detected and located on the 265 km pipeline. The thieves are evolving their theft process, in this unusual example they have been stealing during the day and undertaking multiple short durations of thefts in small volumes, but more frequently.
Asia: Detecting evolving theft techniques
Atmos Wave Flow recently detected multiple theft events on a crude oil pipeline in Asia, highlighting how pipeline thieves continue to adapt their methods.
Unlike more traditional theft operations, this activity involved multiple short-duration thefts carried out during daylight hours, removing smaller product volumes more frequently rather than conducting a single prolonged theft (see Figure 2).
Investigations found that the illegal tapping connection had been routed through dense vegetation to a remote structure in an attempt to disguise the take-off point and make discovery more difficult.
Despite these changing tactics, Atmos Wave Flow successfully detected and located the theft activity, enabling the operator to investigate the affected section of pipeline.
Figure 2: Examples of thefts detected on May 2, 3 and 4 demonstrating the frequent thefts with short durations
Europe: Multi-method leak detection helps uncover concealed theft operation
Atmos' multi-method leak detection approach recently helped a European pipeline operator identify a sophisticated fuel theft operation concealed beneath heavily protected pipeline infrastructure.
Figure: Atmos LDS response to product theft on the pipeline
The incident began with several short-duration events consistent with product sampling (the thieves were only interested in gasoline) before developing into a sustained theft operation. Atmos Wave Flow generated the initial alarms before Atmos Pipe and Flow leak detection independently confirmed the event, providing consistent location estimates that gave operators confidence a genuine incident was occurring.
Following an extensive investigation, the operator discovered that the perpetrators had buried the hosepipe through approximately 200 m of overgrown land before accessing the pipeline itself. To reach the pipeline, they breached reinforced concrete protecting the buried asset and installed a professionally welded tapping connection.
Analysis of the leak detection data indicated that the operation was likely filling multiple intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), which was later supported by law enforcement recovering a vehicle loaded with stolen fuel containers. Despite the sophistication of the operation, all stolen fuel was ultimately recovered.
The incident also demonstrated the value of combining multiple leak detection methods with operator training. Compared with a previous theft incident, the operators investigated alarms more thoroughly and worked closely with Atmos engineers throughout the investigation, helping improve operational response.
Combining multiple leak detection methods gives operators greater confidence when responding to suspected theft activity
Discover our theft detection solutions
Atmos enters the nuclear power sector
Q2 also marked an important milestone as Atmos completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) for its first nuclear power plant project.
The project includes the deployment of Atmos Wave Flow on two 80 inch seawater intake pipelines and four 56 inch seawater discharge pipelines.
Alongside the leak detection system, Atmos is working with its project partner to deliver SCADA, instrumentation, communications infrastructure and associated equipment. The recently completed FAT included wiring verification, point-to-point testing and interface testing across 33 instrument cabinets (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: An Atmos engineer completing testing at the nuclear power plant
This project represents another step in the continued application of Atmos technologies across new industries where reliable pipeline monitoring and leak detection are critical to safe operations.
Applying proven leak detection technologies to increasingly complex infrastructure projects
Our solutions have been applied to over 2,000 pipelines in more than 60 countries
Atmos International was originally founded in 1995 with a primary focus on detecting pipeline leaks reliably on operational pipelines. 30 years later, our technologies continue to evolve to support customers across the oil, gas, chemical, water, aviation, mining and energy industries.
Discover why we are best placed to help you ensure any pipeline leak or theft is detected reliably and located accurately