ROSEN Group has received the Business Innovation Award at the Gas Industry Awards 2026 for its Non-Intrusive Pipeline Assessment (NIPA) service, recognising the company’s advancements in data-driven pipeline integrity management and nondestructive evaluation methodologies.
The awards ceremony, organised by the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) and the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA), took place in London on 13 May 2026.
ROSEN’s NIPA service was recognised for combining above-ground survey techniques, proprietary inspection technologies, and AI-supported analytics to assess pipeline condition in unpiggable and complex pipeline systems. The methodology integrates Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS), Direct Current Voltage Gradient (DCVG), ROSEN’s Large Standoff Magnetometry (LSM), and AI-supported Virtual In-Line Inspection models powered by the company’s Integrity Data Warehouse (IDW).
The Integrity Data Warehouse contains inspection data from more than 26,000 in-line inspections globally, combined with environmental and geographical datasets including soil conditions, rainfall, slopes, transport infrastructure, waterways, and population density. The integrated analysis is designed to improve confidence in corrosion detection and integrity assessment outcomes.
In 2025, the NIPA service was deployed across more than 700 km of pipeline infrastructure using a combination of drone-based and ground inspection approaches. According to the company, the system identified previously undetected metal-loss features requiring repair in one deployment, demonstrating its application in operational pipeline integrity programmes.
The approach enables operators to optimise excavation planning, prioritise high-risk assets, and focus nondestructive testing efforts on areas requiring detailed inspection. The system can also support lifecycle integrity management strategies across pipeline networks.
“This award recognises not just a technical innovation, but the delivery of a solution operators can truly rely on; one that is robust, auditable, and aligned with international standards. I’m delighted to see NIPA accepted in this way, as it reflects how we are helping to pave the way for safer, more informed integrity decisions across our industry. Our focus has always been on building trust through strong governance and consistent delivery,” said Lewis Barton, Service Manager for NIPA at ROSEN.
“It is a testament to the commitment of a multidisciplinary team, from integrity engineers and data scientists to field specialists, who have worked together to transform an idea into a globally deployed, end-to-end solution.
We’re also grateful to our clients and industry partners who challenged us, collaborated with us, and trusted us from the early stages. We look forward to continuing to work together and expanding this success into new regions, delivering safer and more reliable pipeline operations globally,” added Jabbar Mirzoev, Vice President - NDT Service Line at ROSEN.
The judging panel highlighted the solution’s measurable operational impact, research and development focus, and successful implementation in live pipeline environments. The recognition reflects growing industry adoption of AI-supported, data-centric approaches in pipeline integrity management and nondestructive evaluation.
