Midstream Industry Application: Satellite Technologies, Satellites, Companies, Patents, and Use Cases

Kommu .
Apr 26
3 min read

Midstream Industry Application: Satellite Technologies, Satellites, Companies, Patents, and Use Cases

The midstream sector-focused on the transportation, storage, and wholesale marketing of oil, natural gas, and related products-relies heavily on advanced satellite technologies for safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Below is a structured overview:

Technology/Application	Satellite Name/Type	Company (Patent Holder)	Patent/Reference	Description & Use Case
Pipeline Monitoring & Control	BGAN (L-band, GEO)	Inmarsat	Proprietary	Enables real-time, two-way M2M communications for pipeline monitoring, leak detection, and remote control1.
High-Throughput Data Transfer	O3b, O3b mPOWER (MEO)	SES	Proprietary	Provides low-latency, high-speed connectivity for real-time analytics, cloud integration, and remote operations2 3 8.
Managed SatCom for Pipelines	Multi-orbit (GEO/MEO)	Marlink (with SES)	Proprietary	Delivers managed, high-availability networks for automation, asset tracking, and business continuity3.
Methane & Emissions Detection	GEISAT-Precursor (LEO)	SATLANTIS, Encino Environmental	Proprietary	High-res satellite scans pipelines for methane leaks, enabling rapid, wide-area emissions detection6.
Remote Sensing & GIS	Various (LEO/GEO, incl. LiDAR)	Prius Intelli, SATLANTIS	Proprietary	Uses satellite and aerial imagery for route planning, erosion management, geohazard detection, and compliance5 6.
Subsea Production Satellite	Subsea Satellite System	Mobil Oil Corp.	US3401746A	Patent for a subsea satellite system that enables remote monitoring and maintenance of underwater pipelines4.
Dynamic Bandwidth Management	HYLAS (Ka-band, GEO)	Avanti Communications	Proprietary	Allocates bandwidth dynamically for pipeline SCADA, video, and IoT applications7.
IIoT-Enabled Asset Monitoring	GEO/MEO Constellations	SES, Inmarsat, Avanti	Proprietary	Connects IIoT sensors for flow, pressure, and temperature monitoring, supporting predictive maintenance1 8.

Highlighted Use Cases

Pipeline Leak Detection & Monitoring:Satellites such as Inmarsat’s BGAN enable continuous monitoring of pipelines, supporting early leak detection, corrosion tracking, and remote control of valves-minimizing environmental risk and downtime1 5.
Emissions Compliance:SATLANTIS’s GEISAT-Precursor satellite, in partnership with Encino Environmental, delivers high-resolution methane detection, allowing operators to rapidly identify and address leaks over thousands of kilometers of pipeline6.
Remote Sensing & GIS for Asset Management:Companies like Prius Intelli use satellite imagery and LiDAR for route planning, erosion assessment, and geohazard management, streamlining regulatory reporting and landowner engagement5.
High-Throughput Connectivity for Digitalization:SES’s O3b mPOWER MEO satellites, combined with Marlink’s managed services, provide the bandwidth needed for cloud-based analytics, real-time video surveillance, and digital twins of pipeline infrastructure2 3 8.
Subsea Pipeline Management:The patented Subsea Production Satellite System by Mobil Oil Corp. allows for the remote maintenance and monitoring of subsea pipelines, reducing the need for divers and minimizing operational disruption4.
Dynamic Network Management:Avanti’s Ka-band satellites ensure that pipeline SCADA systems, security cameras, and IoT devices always have the bandwidth they need, even as operational demands shift7.

Key Satellites & Companies

Satellite Name/Type	Company/Patent Holder	Patent/Reference
BGAN (L-band, GEO)	Inmarsat	Proprietary
O3b, O3b mPOWER (MEO)	SES	Proprietary
Multi-orbit (GEO/MEO)	Marlink (with SES)	Proprietary
GEISAT-Precursor (LEO)	SATLANTIS, Encino Environmental	Proprietary
Various (LEO/GEO, LiDAR)	Prius Intelli, SATLANTIS	Proprietary
Subsea Satellite System	Mobil Oil Corp.	US3401746A
HYLAS (Ka-band, GEO)	Avanti Communications	Proprietary

Summary

Satellite technologies in the midstream oil & gas sector enable:

Real-time pipeline monitoring and leak detection
Wide-area, high-resolution emissions and environmental compliance
High-throughput, reliable connectivity for SCADA, IoT, and cloud-based analytics
Remote asset management and predictive maintenance
Enhanced safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency

These innovations are delivered by leading satellite operators and technology companies, some of whom hold patents for specialized midstream applications, ensuring the sector remains resilient, efficient, and compliant in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Midstream Industry Application: Satellite Technologies, Satellites, Companies, Patents, and Use Cases