ROSEN Group has been awarded the Business Innovation Award at the Gas Industry Awards 2026 in recognition of its Non-Intrusive Pipeline Assessment (NIPA) service. The ceremony, organised by the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) and the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA), took place in London on 13th May 2026.
Now in its 26th year, the Gas Industry Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the gas sector. The Business Innovation Award specifically recognises organisations that have developed and implemented new technologies or approaches to address key industry challenges.
ROSEN’s NIPA service was recognised for its data-driven and AI-supported approach to pipeline integrity management. The solution was developed to address the limitations of traditional Direct Assessment (DA) methods, particularly for unpiggable and complex pipeline systems. It integrates multiple data sources, including above-ground survey techniques such as Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS) and Direct Current Voltage Gradient (DCVG), alongside ROSEN’s proprietary Large Standoff Magnetometry (LSM) technology. These inputs are further enhanced by AI-supported pipeline condition modelling, referred to as Virtual In-Line Inspection, powered by ROSEN’s Integrity Data Warehouse (IDW).
The IDW contains data from more than 26,000 in-line inspections globally, combined with environmental and geospatial datasets including soil composition, terrain, rainfall, infrastructure corridors, and population density. By analysing these datasets together, NIPA enhances anomaly detection and provides operators with improved insight into pipeline condition, supporting more informed integrity management decisions.
The service is already demonstrating measurable operational impact. In one deployment, NIPA identified previously undetected significant metal loss features requiring repair to maintain safe operation, reinforcing the reliability of the methodology. In 2025 alone, the solution was deployed across more than 700 kilometres of pipeline using a combination of ground-based inspection teams and drone-enabled data acquisition.
This integrated approach enables operators to verify ongoing pipeline integrity, optimise excavation and repair programmes, and focus non-destructive testing (NDT) resources on higher-priority areas. It also supports risk-based decision-making for pipelines that may require future conversion to enable internal inspection. The system is designed to be adaptable, supporting both full network assessments and targeted inspection programmes as part of broader lifecycle integrity strategies.
Accepting the award, Lewis Barton, service manager for NIPA at ROSEN, said the recognition reflects the practical value of the solution in supporting operators with robust and auditable integrity assessments aligned with international standards.
He added that the development of NIPA demonstrates ROSEN’s focus on delivering reliable and well-governed technologies that support safer and more informed decision-making across the industry.
Jabbar Mirzoev, vice president of the NDT Service Line at ROSEN, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the solution, noting the contribution of engineers, data scientists, and field specialists in bringing the concept to large-scale deployment.
He also acknowledged the role of clients and industry partners in supporting the development and rollout of the technology, adding that ROSEN looks forward to expanding its application across additional regions to support safer and more efficient pipeline operations globally.
The judging panel commended ROSEN for its measurable industry impact, sustained investment in research and development, and successful deployment of advanced technologies in operational environments. The award reinforces ROSEN’s position in pipeline integrity management and highlights its continued focus on innovation in support of global energy infrastructure.
For more information visit www.rosen-group.com/en
