Node placement for pipeline monitoring

A method of sensor node data transfer, the method comprising:

• assigning a sensor node from a first cluster of sensor nodes as a first head sensor node of the first cluster, wherein the first cluster is positioned along a first segment of a pipeline;
• forwarding one or more sensor data packets from each remaining sensor node of the first cluster to the first head sensor node;
• forwarding the one or more sensor data packets from the first head sensor node to a second head sensor node of a second cluster of sensor nodes positioned along a second segment of the pipeline in a direction of a controlling base station;
• electing a replacement first head sensor node from the remaining sensor nodes of the first cluster when an energy level of the first head sensor node reaches a predetermined level;
• and
• forwarding an energy status of the first head sensor node to the replacement first head sensor node.