1 Through Wall Communication Revolutionises Pig Tracking By Gordon Blair, UK Sales Manager, TDW Offshore Services PPSA, Aberdeen 19/11/2008
Feb 01, 2016
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Through Wall Communication Revolutionises Pig Tracking
By Gordon Blair, UK Sales Manager, TDW Offshore ServicesPPSA, Aberdeen 19/11/2008
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Contents
• Why pig tracking?
• What are the options?
• SmartTrack system benefits
• Field Examples & Applications
• SmartTrack product series
• Summary of application
• Conclusion
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Why pig tracking?
• For detection and location of pigs in pipelines. • Tracking is the most efficient way:
– to be able to locate stuck pigs in a pipeline.– to detect pigs and confirm a pig has passed a valve to be
closed, or to confirm a pig has arrived in the receiver.
What are the Options?• Radio active source
• No battery life issues but handling issues
• Transmitters (“Pingers”)
• Battery life issues vs frequency/signal strength
• Inflexible once in the pipeline
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SmartTrack™ System Advantages:Unique ID and Play Back
• Each pig is given a unique ID, so that the location of each pig in a multiple pig train can be identified.
• Data can be recorded for later playback
If a pig is missed by the operator then replay to be sure of where you are!
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SmartTrackTM Advantages
• The output power of the SmartTrackTM transponder is adjustable at any time during a project to optimize battery lifetime, pigging speed, burial depths and positioning accuracy.
• Unit can be put into dormant mode for elongated periods then re-awakened remotely to allow continuation of the operation
• Pig Tracking with SmartTrack™ allows complete operational flexibility.
• SmartTrack™ fits into your plan & does not dictate it.
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SmartTrack™ Advantages
• Monitors multiple pig tracking locations without the need to move subsea tracking systems or require multiple vessels
• Wireless communication between the subsea receiver and the platform or vessels
• The system tracks pigs subsea, topside, and in onshore buried pipelines
• Positioning accuracy of 5cm (2in)
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SmartTrack™ Advantages
• Signal strength, transponder speed, and ID can be changed while the transponder is in the pipeline
• The SmartTrackTM system can be put into stand-by mode inside the pipeline and transponder battery lifetime can be extended greatly.
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SmartTrack™ Pig to Vessel Communication
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Pressure 50%
Pressure 50%
Pressure 100%
Pressure 50%
Pressure 100%
Section to be replaced
SmartTrack parameters can be changed from the vessel. Frequency, power level, sleep mode and interrogation of deployed sensors (e.g. pressure) can all be set remotely
Acoustic Modem
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In Line Monitoring
• SmartTrack can be used to monitor pipeline parameters (such as pressure), and allow interrogation from the vessel.
• Offers active monitoring of pressure and pig location during applications (such as pipeline isolation with a high friction pig train)
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SmartTrack™ High Friction Pig Train
Receiver valves
Flow Direction
•SmartTrack™ utilised to confirm individual pig position and the pressure across each high friction isolation pig.
•Real time monitoring throughout the operation.
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SmartTrack product series
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SmartTrack product series
• SmartTrack Transponder D116 / D76
• SmartTrack Topside Transceiver
• SmartTrack Remote Transceiver
• SmartTrack Diverheld Receiver
• SmartTrack PDA• SmartTrack Subsea Communications Skid
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SmartTrack Transponder D116 / D76
Applications• Tracking, location and identification
of pigs inside pipelines. • Mounted on the pig, preferably
centered with the antenna end outside any metal pig body.
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SmartTrack Topside Transceiver
Applications• Locate, track, and identify pigs with
SmartTrack transponders • Communicates with a handheld computer
using Bluetooth wireless• Can be used topside or on land• Positioned parallel to the pipeline for general
use or perpendicular for pinpointing
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SmartTrack Remote Transceiver
Applications• Locate, track and identify pigs with
SmartTrack Transponders. • Connected to laptop computer via cable.• Can be used stationary sub sea /
topside / land or carried by ROV
swimming along the pipeline.• Positioned parallel to the pipeline for general use or
perpendicular for pinpointing.
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SmartTrack Diverheld Receiver
Applications• Locate, track and identify pigs with
SmartTrack Transponders.• Normally diver operated,
but can be handled by a ROV.• Positioned parallel to the pipeline for
general use or perpendicular for pinpointing.
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SmartTrack PDA
Applications• Locate, track, and identify pigs with
SmartTrack transponders • Communicates with the SmartTrack
Topside Transceiver using Bluetooth.• Can be used topside or on land
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Typical use / pig passing
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Acoustic Transducer
Modem & batteries
Remote Transceiver
SmartTrackTM Subsea Communications Skid
• The primary application for this system is wireless offshore pig tracking during projects that otherwise require the vessel to be moved or vessels to be added.
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SmartTrack demo
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The SmartTrackTM system provides complete flexibility for pig tracking & much more!
Pig Tracking with SmartTrack™ allows complete operational flexibility.
SmartTrack™ fits into to your plan & does not dictate it.