Choosing a more reliable method than batch tracking
Oil and gas pipeline owners routinely conduct inspections of their assets by using inline inspection pigs. These tools are used to identify defects within the pipeline and need to be tracked throughout an inspection. Pipeline owners have several options to track a pig such as legacy tracking, remote tracking, and batch tracking, which is sometimes considered as a viable alternative to legacy or remote tracking.
Batch Tracking can be Difficult and Risky
Batch tracking involves measuring pump and flow rates to estimate how far a pig has traveled through a pipeline. The data measured is then compared to pipeline drawings to make an estimate of the pig’s location at a given time.
Depending on the tolerance of the metering system and the bypass rates on an individual pig, locating the tool can be very challenging. Batch tracking also does not provide any dynamic information about a pig. For example, an unexpected speed excursion or stoppage will go unnoticed.
Remote Tracking provides a more Reliable Option
Although traditional or remote tracking is more expensive than batch tracking, its cost is far outweighed by the risk of losing a pig. Lost pigs can result in costly, unplanned shutdowns to locate and retrieve the pig, which would ultimately negate any costs saved by using batch tracking. Technological advancements such as remote tracking provide a cost-effective alternative to batch tracking.
Remote tracking can reduce an asset owner’s risk exposure by providing reliable information during an ILI run. Tracking a pig is the best way to ensure your assets are safe and that you can respond to any incident.
Remote tracking uses a combination of above ground markers (AGMs) and remote tracking units (RTUs) to track a pig during an ILI run. Pig passages are detected using multiple sensors to ensure that the pig is being tracked using more than one indicator. In addition to tracking with multiple sensors, pipeline owners and ILI vendors are provided with a record of each pig passage, making it easier to see when passages are not auditable using a standard geophone.
To learn more about advanced pig tracking, download PureHM’s pig tracking whitepaper.
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