At SJI, we’re always looking for smarter ways to serve our customers. In an innovative move to modernize infrastructure while minimizing disruption, Elizabethtown Gas completed a gas main upgrade in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey—using a robot. Rather than digging up streets and causing major disturbances, Elizabethtown Gas turned to advanced technology to make important upgrades to our gas system.
Traditionally, aging gas mains—especially in tight urban areas—require extensive and costly excavation work.
Meet CISBOT, a robotic helper developed by ULC Technologies. This clever robot can go inside gas mains through a small opening in the street and travel up and down the pipeline to seal joints from inside. That means we can fix and reinforce pipes without tearing up the road, blocking traffic, or interrupting gas service.
Earlier this year, Elizabethtown Gas used CISBOT on a section of gas main along Third Avenue in Port Elizabeth. This area has been tricky in the past due to space limitations and a history of costly repairs. Over just 21 workdays, CISBOT traveled through 1,309 feet of pipe and sealed 102 joints—quietly and efficiently, with little to no impact on the surrounding community.
This project is part of our ongoing effort to provide safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas while protecting the environment and keeping our neighborhoods running smoothly. By using robotics, we’re not only saving time and money — we’re also reducing our environmental footprint and helping ensure long-term reliability.
And we’re not stopping here. Our team is already looking for other areas where this robotic technology can help us continue to improve your service.
At SJI, innovation is all about making life easier for the communities we serve. And, as infrastructure systems across the country continue to age, the use of robotics and other smart technologies is quickly becoming a game-changer. Elizabethtown Gas’ successful use of CISBOT shows how forward-thinking utilities can maintain vital services while embracing innovation.
For more information visit: www.sjindustries.com/cisbot
