Boosting safety and efficiency in gas utilities: How AI is changing frontline operations

Gas utilities across the United States face critical challenges around safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Aging pipelines, regulatory scrutiny, and traditional manual processes amplify risks and inefficiencies, posing threats to workers, the environment, and communities at large. To address these pressing issues, industry leaders are increasingly turning to digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to modernize frontline operations.

Inefficiencies and safety concerns in gas utilities

The U.S. natural gas industry has long grappled with outdated infrastructure. Approximately 25% of the nation's natural gas distribution lines, primarily built before 1970, remain prone to leaks and corrosion, creating ongoing safety hazards. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reports that pipeline incidents, including leaks and explosions, resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities over the past decade, underscoring an urgent need for improvement.

Compounding these safety concerns are operational inefficiencies tied to manual processes and fragmented communication between field teams and office-based managers. These gaps often lead to costly rework, unnecessary delays, and poor visibility into frontline activities.

Heightened regulatory scrutiny

In response to these safety issues, regulatory bodies are stepping up their enforcement and updating safety guidelines. PHMSA recently allocated $196 million to modernize natural gas pipelines across 20 states, focusing on replacing aging infrastructure to prevent leaks and enhance safety. Additionally, updated regulations now mandate advanced leak detection technologies, including continuous monitoring and regular aerial or vehicle-based surveys, dramatically increasing compliance expectations.

Utilities face growing pressure not only to enhance safety but also to transparently document compliance and risk mitigation efforts, adding layers of complexity to frontline management.

Real-world consequences: Costs, delays, and compliance risks

The human and financial impacts of pipeline safety incidents are severe. In 2024, notable incidents in Texas and Louisiana resulted in injuries, extensive property damage, significant disruptions, and even death. Beyond immediate harm, gas utilities incur substantial costs due to rework, fines, legal expenses, and reputational damage.

Further compounding these challenges are operational delays caused by traditional inspection methods. Manual paperwork, delayed risk assessments, and limited real-time visibility exacerbate inefficiencies, resulting in missed compliance deadlines, increased regulatory scrutiny, and potential financial penalties.

Driving digital transformation

The convergence of regulatory pressure and operational necessity is accelerating the shift toward digitization in the gas utility sector. AI, predictive analytics, and real-time visibility tools are at the forefront of this transformation. According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), AI solutions in the energy sector are significantly enhancing operational efficiencies, safety outcomes, and overall cost management by enabling predictive maintenance and proactive decision-making.

Gas utilities adopting digital solutions are better equipped to anticipate and mitigate potential safety hazards. This proactive approach not only reduces incidents but also streamlines compliance efforts, substantially lowering operational risks and costs.

Empowering frontline teams with FYLD

FYLD is uniquely positioned to address these frontline challenges by empowering gas utilities with advanced AI-driven predictive intelligence and real-time visibility. More than a workflow management tool, FYLD functions as a frontline co-pilot, bridging the gap between field teams and office-based management.

Through FYLD’s AI-powered platform, utilities gain:

• Real-Time Video Risk Assessments (VRAs):  Transforming frontline video and audio data into actionable insights, FYLD automates risk assessments, enabling immediate detection and mitigation of safety hazards.

• Predictive analytics: Leveraging historical and real-time data, FYLD anticipates potential safety risks, enabling proactive responses before incidents occur.

• Enhanced compliance tracking: Automated digital documentation and analytics dashboards provide clear, real-time visibility into compliance activities, significantly reducing the risk of fines and regulatory penalties.

• Operational efficiency:  FYLD reduces frontline rework by capturing accurate data upfront, streamlining communication between teams, and enabling data-led decision-making, driving productivity gains of 8-12% within weeks of deployment. 

In practice, these capabilities enable gas utilities to proactively identify and resolve issues, prevent costly safety incidents, and enhance overall frontline performance.

Take the first step towards safer frontline operations

As regulatory scrutiny and operational demands intensify, gas utilities must embrace digital transformation to stay competitive, compliant, and safe. FYLD’s AI-powered platform empowers frontline teams to transition from reactive problem-solving to proactive risk management, bridging visibility gaps and dramatically improving safety outcomes.

Embracing AI is no longer optional—it's essential for the modern gas utility. With FYLD, frontline operations become more connected, predictive, and efficient, delivering tangible outcomes for utilities, workers, and communities.

Ready to revolutionize your frontline safety and efficiency? Request a demo of FYLD today.