From the Backyard to the Big Time

It’s a DIYers dream. Brainstorming in the backyard to come up with a quick fix that keeps a project moving, and that quick fix then becoming a technological innovation that reshapes the practice of vital industries.

Kimal Singh is one such DIYer. A resourceful subcontractor from Adelaide, who from his backyard shed in Clarence Gardens designed a technology that quadruples the speed at which the natural gas industry can inspect critical infrastructure.

THE NEED FOR A FIX

Back in 2016, Kimal and his business partner, Josh Cleary, faced a daunting challenge: they needed to inspect half a kilometre of pipeline in a week, a task that was nearly impossible with the tech available.

Kimal needed to create something better. COVID hit so checking in with each other was exclusively via Zoom, but the pair collaboratively developed a new method to inspect pipelines faster and critically, more accurately.

What started as a small-scale project quickly grew into something much bigger. By 2022, Kimal’s company, NDE Solutions, had perfected the technology, and Santos, a leading energy company, took notice. Their innovation allowed Santos to inspect pipelines at four times the previous speed, dramatically improving efficiency and safety.

A PARTNER EMERGES

Santos Executive Vice President – Eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea, Brett Darley, said the technology has almost quadrupled the rate at which Santos carries out inspections of critical infrastructure.

“Pipes are an essential part of our operations here at Santos so keeping them healthy is a huge priority. Over the past three years, we’ve been working with NDE Solutions to develop innovative technology to carry out regular inspections,” Mr Darley said.

“What makes this technology really stand out is not just the speed at which we can inspect our pipes but the accuracy. We are finding and fixing small signs of corrosion well before they become a problem,” he said.

“Previously, we were inspecting around 50-60 metres of pipe per day using conventional methods. Now, we can monitor as much as 200 metres per day, which means we are keeping our assets safe and reliable in a cost-effective way,” he said.

Learn more about NDE Solutions DERCA Platform here.

But this isn’t just a story about technology; it’s about how one small business, fueled by determination and creativity, made a significant impact in a major industry.

NDE Solutions grew from a two-person operation – Kimal working in a backyard shed and Josh from his living room into a thriving company with over 100 employees. Their journey shows how innovation at the grassroots level can lead to real, measurable success, even in industries as large and complex as natural gas.

Being awarded Santos’s ‘Contractor of the Year’ was a milestone that highlighted just how far Kimal and his team had come. But more than that, it underscored the importance of giving small businesses the chance to prove their worth on a larger stage. With Santos’s support, NDE Solutions didn’t just contribute to the industry—they transformed it.

SHARED SUCCESS

Kimal and NDE’s story is a perfect example of how small businesses can play a big role in shaping industries.

His journey from backyard tinkering to national recognition isn’t just inspiring – it’s proof that with the right idea and a lot of hard work, anything is possible. While the natural gas industry has certainly benefited from NDE Solutions’ innovation, it’s Kimal’s entrepreneurial spirit that truly shines.

“Santos was willing to give us a chance. To be recognised by one of Australia’s leading companies is incredibly humbling,” Mr Singh said.