When the system's solar or battery-powered sensors detect vibrations at a given location along a pipeline, the data is instantly transmitted via satellite to GE call centres in Florence, Italy, or Houston, Texas, where the information is analysed and the operator rapidly alerted. Under the first phase of the project, carried out between May and earlier this month (November), E.ON Ruhrgas is evaluating the effectiveness of five ThreatScan sensors installed on a 50-km section of pipeline located near a construction site in southern Germany. The equipment was installed by GE Oil & Gas' PII Pipeline Solutions group, which developed the system. For the second phase, in conjunction with (the German scientific and technical association for gas and water), GE and contract partner E.ON Ruhrgas will install the system on pipelines operated by DVGW members for a 12-month test. This will be conducted in conjunction with planned repair activities on a particular section, where a serious impact will be permitted. These tests also will include deliberate drilling, scratching, and striking of the pipeline, in addition to impact from a vibration machine supplied by GE. "One of the greatest priorities for Germany and countries throughout Europe is to safeguard their national and regional energy security, which includes protecting existing supplies of energy," said Claudi Santiago, president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas. "GE's equipment allows operators to more effectively monitor their pipelines 24 hours a day, allowing them to immediately respond to, and investigate, potential problems as they happen. Accidental, third-party strikes are a major cause of pipeline defects" Mr Santiago noted. One of Europe's leading gas companies, E.ON Ruhrgas operates more than 11,400km of pipeline, 11 underground storage facilities, and 28 compressor stations. The company is a division of German power and gas company E.ON.