Faster repairs, fewer disruptions: Meet the innovative teams using smart tech to keep your piped gas supply flowing

Imagine your morning routine interrupted by a sudden gas supply disruption. No gas for cooking, so you cannot prepare breakfast for the family.

Behind the scenes, technical officers and engineers from SP Group are in a race against time to restore the piped gas supply – a race that has evolved with innovation.

Today, a tiny camera – akin to a medical endoscope – is changing how they maintain Singapore’s 3,500km network of underground gas pipes. 

This miniature device, dubbed the In-Pipe CCTV System, slips inside pipelines and transmits live footage directly to crew, pinpointing faults with remarkable precision. 

“With the camera, we can now see the conditions within the pipes clearly and determine the next cause of action,” explains Mr Louis Ang, deputy director of Distribution Pipeline Operations and Maintenance at SP Group.

Before the cameras were deployed, detecting pipeline faults meant excavating large sections of earth – sometimes up to 2m deep. Teams would spend days uncovering large sections of pipeline, working under immense pressure to locate the fault before the problem escalates. 

Now with the new technology, the gas operations team can troubleshoot more quickly – be it corrosion, cracks or water ingress – and determine the best fix without unnecessary excavation.

Imagine the traffic disruption if excavation were to be carried out along a single-lane road with bidirectional traffic. In one such case, the team managed to detect and resolve a fault quickly, thanks to the In-Pipe CCTV System, ensuring the reliability of gas supply and minimising inconvenience to road users. 

“The camera has reduced the time needed for maintenance and investigative work,” says Mr Ang. “We understand gas interruptions can be disruptive to our customers, and we constantly find ways to restore supply as soon as we can.”

Lightening the teams’ load, enhancing safety

Mr Ang was part of the team of engineers who initiated the implementation of the In-Pipe CCTV System. The 38-year-old, who has been with the company since graduating from university, actively encourages his team on the ground to innovate and stay relevant and up-to-date in skills competency. 

“By embracing new ways of working and staying ahead of technological advancements, we ensure that we meet the evolving demands of our industry,” he says. 

Such innovations contribute to the world-class standing of Singapore’s energy network. About

95 per cent of the country

relies on natural gas to generate electricity, supporting everything from households to commercial enterprises and critical industrial operations.

On average, a piped gas customer in Singapore experienced just

four seconds of supply interruption

in 2023. 

Another ground-up initiative is the implementation of the portable bypass regulator, used in gas operations to control and maintain pressure when a fault is detected in the installed regulator.

Lighter than a standard regulator – which makes replacements much easier – this bypass regulator allows continuous gas supply to customers while the faulty regulator is being repaired.

Mr Muhammad Hadi Abu Bakar, principal technical officer at SP Group’s gas emergency response and regulator maintenance team, has experienced first-hand how SP continuously leverages technology and improves processes to ease its staff’s load. 

His team monitors gas pipelines and supports projects that require pipeline diversion and network extensions.

“SP proactively adopts measures to ensure that work is easier and safer, especially for our older colleagues,” says the 46-year-old.  

Supporting upskilling and career growth 

In the adoption of new technology, SP Group also invests in the upskilling and professional development of its workforce.

Since 2019, Mr Hadi has been trained to use the new Gas Distribution Monitoring System – a series of smart pressure sensors installed on both gas regulators and risers. These sensors monitor the gas pressure at the regulators and risers, ensuring steady gas supply to households.

By providing real-time remote monitoring, this system has helped ward off lengthy gas disruptions for customers. Instead of having to manually monitor gas pressure over 24 hours, the technicians can now detect irregularities instantly and take action before problems escalate.

There was an instance where a low-pressure alert from an estate in Jurong forewarned a cut in gas supply to homes. Acting swiftly, Mr Hadi and his team installed a bypass pipeline, ensuring no disruption in gas supply to 80 households.

To further equip employees, SP Group also provides opportunities for overseas learning from industry partners. Last year, Mr Hadi attended a five-day industry study trip in Osaka, Japan. “I learnt how to broaden the way I troubleshoot and use technology to save time and effort,” he says. 

As part of the emergency response team, the father of an 11-year-old son sometimes works beyond his day shift and into the small hours of the morning. Early in his career, a work activation caused him to miss a movie date with his then-girlfriend – something she still half-jokingly brings up today as his wife. 

After 19 years with SP Group, the camaraderie with his colleagues and the strong sense of purpose continue to drive him. 

“It’s meaningful to provide reliable gas supply to all our customers, from hospitals, schools and restaurants to families at home. It means they can cook a good meal for their family, and have hot water for beverages or a comfortable bath, especially on cold days.”   

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