This case study details how a national gas utility evaluated a distributed fiber-optic sensing system to prevent third-party damage to natural gas distribution pipelines. Installed over a 2.5 km pipeline section, the OptaSense system was subjected to rigorous blind testing involving mechanical digging, manual excavation, and vehicle activity. The system achieved a 100% detection rate across all threat types, with average detection times under four minutes and detection distances up to 19 meters. Advanced analytics significantly reduced nuisance alarms, demonstrating the value of continuous, real-time pipeline monitoring for damage prevention, safety improvement, and operational efficiency.

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