The ultimate objective of every pig run is to complete the required task, and return the pipeline to its original operating condition in the shortest time possible. A stuck pig causes delays, resulting in higher project costs, so it is important to have a contingency plan should the pig become stuck.

In this blog, we will discuss using a case study example how the implementation of our pig tracking technology allowed a customer to effectively and accurately track/time the pig trains progression down the length of the pipeline, thus resulting in huge savings on vessel and equipment costs.

Topics: pipeline inspection, pipeline integrity, pipe in pipe, subsea pipelines, pigging, stuck pig, pig tracking, gammatrac, pig run, pig tracking services

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It's a nightmare scenario no one wants... You run a PIG and it becomes stuck in the line. You now have an unsuccessful pigging campaign, a subsea pipeline blockage, and a missing PIG to deal with.

The cost of a shutdown due to a PIG stuck in a subsea pipeline can run into tens of millions in lost production, which is why it is absolutely critical to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. In this post we will examine the first step to remedying a blocked subsea pipeline due to a stuck PIG; that is locating the stuck PIG.

Topics: pipeline inspection, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, pipe bundles, pipe in pipe, Explorer, scanning technology, Flowlines, subsea pipelines, pipeline blockage, pigging, stuck pig

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Flow assurance specialists have long faced the challenge of maintaining continuous flow through subsea pipelines. Over time deposits can build-up and can lead to shortfall of revenue through lost production. When these issues occur, they face the problem of determining the exact location and nature of the blockage in order to take action, without risking damage to the subsea pipeline.

In this post we will explain step by step how to pinpoint the exact location of any flow assurance issues including how to investigate them further, determining whether they are hydrate deposits or wax deposits, or indeed distinguishing between asphaltene deposits or scale deposition. All without shutting down production or modifying subsea pipelines in any way.

Topics: Discovery, pipeline inspection, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, pipe bundles, pipe in pipe, Explorer

This week was mostly spent at the Deep Offshore Technology Conference in Aberdeen promoting Discovery. We made some great contacts and met many existing ones. Continuing to monitor our marketing campaigns showed initial results from the event indicated a healthy 67% brand awareness for Tracerco in the Aberdeen offshore market. Although we can see there is still some room for improvement. 

Topics: marketing, Discovery, pipeline inspection, pipeline integrity, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, pipe bundles, pipe in pipe, oil & gas

Five big reasons to be in Houston this May

There is more to our latest version of  world's first subsea CT scanner than ever before. Tracerco has developed their unique Discovery^TM subsea pipeline inspection instrument for flow assurance and integrity issues for ultra deep-water applications and will be demonstrating it at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL). Here's five big reasons you shouldn't miss it.

Topics: Tracerco innovations, Discovery, pipeline inspection, pipeline integrity, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, pipe bundles, pipe in pipe, Houston events

Tracerco has been awarded the top accolade in Subsea Technology at this year’s prestigious Pipeline Industries Guild Awards for our breakthrough technology for the inspection of subsea pipelines.

We received the Subsea Technology Award for Discovery^TM, our new subsea CT scanner which for the very first time provides oil and gas companies with the opportunity to scan any subsea pipeline from the outside to gain an accurate picture of the condition of the pipe and its contents, with no need to remove the protective coating, and with no interruption to production. This allows them to undertake subsea pipeline inspection on any subsea flowlines including pipe in pipe and caissons or pipe bundles for flow assurance and pipeline integrity issues.


The team at Tracerco (pictured below) were presented with the prestigious award at a ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel this week after the judges selected Discovery ^TM as the most significant contribution to subsea pipeline technology in 2014.

Topics: Tracerco innovations, Discovery, pipeline inspection, pipeline integrity, risers, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, Physics, pipe bundles, pipe in pipe, Awards