Our partner PigRun was invited to demonstrate the Patriot AGM remote tracking technology during a multi-day pigging operation on a 12 inch Enbridge gas pipeline in Kitchener, Ontario. The pipeline spanned approximately 24 kilometres and involved several cleaning runs over three days. The cleaning program included six pigs of varying types (foam, brush, magnetic) and one gauge plate, as part of a scheduled maintenance operation.

The Patriot’s Role
Three cellular-enabled Patriot Above Ground Marker (AGM) units were deployed and one remote tracker was assigned to monitor the job. The units were pre-deployed prior to the run and moved strategically along the pipeline to cover approximately 20 marker locations.

Key Details:
– Pig speeds were around 5m/s in the first half of the line and slowed to ~ 1 m/s in the second half
– A combination of field deployment and remote tracking was utilised to minimise field presence and optimise coverage
– All passes were successfully detected and reported in real time

What Sets Patriot AGM Apart
The Patriot AGM is a compact, all-in-one remote tracker designed to simplify fieldwork while maximising sensitivity and performance. Unlike traditional systems that require bulky equipment, Patriot AGM integrates:
– Built-in sensors (electromagnetic and geophone)
– Optional external sensor connections to enhance detection of quieter pigs and challenging EM signals
– Bluetooth and cellular connectivity, enabling both local and remote control

Each Patriot AGM deployed during this operation was able to detect and report all pig passages reliably to the Pat Track Dashboard.

Real-Time Tracking with Pat Track Dashboard
The Pat Track Dashboard enabled the remote tracker to:
– Receive passage alerts within seconds
– View live signals and stream real-time geophone audio
– Track the pig’s progress without being physically present at each site

These capabilities significantly improved operational oversight and efficiency, making it easier to adapt to last-minute field changes and challenging terrain.

Powerful Mobile App Support
The Android App, PATCONNECT, played a critical role in supporting local tracking. Key features include:
– Long-range Bluetooth connectivity, often exceeding 100 metres in open environments
– Live geophone audio streaming, accessible via wired headphones or wirelessly through the vehicle’s Bluetooth
– Real-time waveform display, aiding quick signal interpretation
– Automatic weld counting, reducing manual tracking effort and human error
– This intuitive tool allows field technicians to operate more efficiently, with fewer distractions and less equipment.

Challenges and Lessons Learned
– Some marker locations could not be reached due to road closures and construction. Full pre-deployment would have mitigated this
– A fully pre-deployed setup could have allowed for faster pig launching and less field technician repositioning, improving efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness

Conclusion
Despite field access limitations, the Patriot AGM units and supporting systems successfully tracked all cleaning pigs and the gauge plate throughout the job. This demonstration validated:
– The reliability and accuracy of Patriot AGM in real-world conditions
– The effectiveness of remote tracking via the Pat Track Dashboard
– The operational benefits of minimising field presence without sacrificing data quality

Click here to download the PDF version of this case study.

We’re pleased to announce a new exclusive global distribution with Canadian manufacturer PigRun Solutions.  Under this partnership, we will distribute the Patriot Above Ground Marker (AGM), an advanced and versatile pig tracking solution.

“This partnership is a strong strategic step for us” said Charlotte Hope, VP at IK Trax, “ As an emerging company, PigRun have developed products with a clear understanding of industry needs – something that aligns strongly with our own ethos.  Their commitment to delivering innovative tracking solutions makes this a natural fit for IK Trax and our clients around the world.”

Ihab Skafi, General Manager at PigRun added: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with IK Trax.  This collaboration opens up significant opportunities for mutual growth and success.  By combining IK Trax’s global sales expertise with our joint commitment to technological innovation, we’re accelerating our roadmap and bringing powerful new solutions to market – creating meaningful impact across the industry.”

About the Patriot AGM

The Patriot AGM is a highly versatile tracking tool, designed to deliver flexibility, accuracy and real-time visibility in the field.

Key features include:

• Multi-signal detection – detects magnetic sources, electromagnetic transmitters and acoustic signals.
• Real-time visibility and insights – the Track Dashboard enables live monitoring, interactive mapping, data graphing and instant notifications – giving you complete control, wherever you are.
• Remote access – with Bluetooth range over 100m (clear line of sight), plus satellite and cellular connectivity, you can stay connected from virtually anywhere – without needing to access difficult or hazardous terrain.
• Field-proven design – compact, durable and easy to deploy.
• Power Flexibility – works with alkaline or lithium batteries, or via an external power source.

What This Means for Our Customers

With the addition of PigRun’s Patriot AGM to our portfolio, customers have access to a versatile tracking option that complements our existing range.  Designed for flexibility, and ease of use, it combines multiple detection methods with real-time monitoring, offering a practical solution for a variety of field environments.

Interested in the Patriot AGM?

Get in touch with the IK Trax team to find out how this technology can support your next operation.

Reliable pig tracking and signalling in subsea environments require equipment that can withstand extreme conditions and perform consistently over time. This article explores some of the key challenges faced offshore and the technologies available to overcome them. 

High Pressure Pipelines

Designing pig tracking and locating equipment that can withstand the high pressures found in offshore pipelines is a major challenge. Pressure ratings can reach up to 1000 bar, especially in deepwater fields and high-pressure transmission pipelines, and any equipment deployed must be able to survive this environment whilst still functioning.   

Transmitters must be robustly engineered to endure these conditions – high-quality, high-pressure materials such titanium protect internal electronics without compromising signal detection.  Titanium not only provides excellent corrosion resistance but also ensures structural integrity at high pressures.  

At extreme pressures, the potential for damage significantly increases.  Housings and seals are subjected to high pressure and a leak can result in water ingress, failure and loss of signal.  The consequences of such failure include uncertainty about pig location and costly retrieval operations or re-runs.  Ensuring reliability at these pressures requires rigorous testing, high-spec materials and attention to every detail of the design and assembly process.   

Loading Pigs in Advance and Battery Life Limitations 

Electromagnetic transmitters are typically activated manually before being installed inside a pig, at which point the battery begins to deplete.  In many cases, pigs are loaded inside the launcher well in advance – sometimes weeks, months or even years before launch.  This prolonged period can significantly reduce the transmitter’s battery life, potentially leading to power loss before the pig is launched or before its arrival is confirmed.   

To address this, delayed-start endcaps have been developed.  Pressure-activated endcaps keep the transmitter powered off until it reaches a specified ambient subsea pressure, making them ideal for deepwater operations.  Alternatively, wet-start endcaps activate only when the pig comes into contact with liquid, providing a solution where pigs are loaded dry but not flooded until shortly before launch.  

Additionally, the IK Trax EMTx Config App includes a delayed switch-on time feature. This allows operators to schedule activation in advance, but it requires accurate planning and confirmed operational dates.  Once the pig is deployed subsea, any preset timing cannot be adjusted.  

For certain long-term deployments, even delayed-start options may not provide sufficient battery life.  In these cases, where a magnetic source is present on the pig, a magnetic surveying system offers an effective alternative.  These systems detect variations in the magnetic field, allowing the pig to be detected if an electromagnetic source is not present.  

Interference from ROV Operations

Subsea pig tracking and signalling operations often rely on Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to install and monitor devices. However, ROV involvement introduces a unique challenge: the risk of false readings or signal interference.  This interference can arise from either electromagnetic emissions or physical movement and instability caused by the ROV itself. 

To minimise these risks, the receiver should ideally be placed directly on the pipeline to ensure a stable and consistent reading.  Where feasible, diver operation can offer more precise control during deployment. 

For pig signallers installed by ROV, false triggers can occur due to motion during deployment.  To prevent this, a stabilization delay can be programmed into the device.  This delay keeps the unit inactive during installation, only beginning to “listen” once the signaller is securely mounted and stable – eliminating the risk of false events caused by movement during deployment.    

Frequent Pigging Demands Permanent, Real-Time Signal Solutions

For subsea pipelines where pigging operations are performed frequently, relying on an ROV or diver to confirm pig passage for every run is often impractical.  This creates the need for a more permanent, reliable solution that continuously detects pig passage and transmits signals back to the surface control room in real time.  

Temporary pig signallers typically fall short in such scenarios due to limited battery life and the unavailability of ROVs or divers for monitoring.  In contrast, permanent magnetic pig signallers, like the IK Trax 4004S, offer a robust and long-lasting solution.  The 4004S is designed for continuous subsea installation without requiring intrusive modifications to the pipeline.  It provides consistent, real-time pig detection by sensing the change in magnetic field caused by the pig’s passage.  

With its durable construction, designed for long-term installation and ability to transmit pig passage data, the 4004S allows operators to integrate pig passage signals seamlessly into their control and monitoring systems.  This integration supports proactive maintenance planning, minimizes downtime and enhances operational efficiency in pipelines where frequent pigging is essential.    

Conclusion

As offshore pigging operations become more complex and frequent, dependable tracking and signaller solutions have become an important part of efficient pipeline management.  From pressure-rated equipment to real-time signalling systems, having the right tools in place helps ensure smoother operations, fewer delays and greater confidence in pigging performance.  

To find out how our systems can support your next pigging campaign, get in touch with our team to explore our full range of tracking and signalling technologies.  

Introduction

Loop is a versatile subsea data hub developed by IK Trax, designed to streamline and enhance the way subsea data is monitored and retrieved.  With its advanced multi-sensor capabilities, Loop monitors a variety of subsea parameters and offers an innovative solution that addresses common challenges faced during subsea operations.

Key Features

Loop has a number of key features that set it apart from other systems.  It has the ability to connect and interface with different types of sensors.  Typically, these are pressure and temperature sensors but it also has the capability to monitor flow.  One of Loop’s key advantages is that it can log any sensor it can interface with.  Future additions could include sensors for differential pressure, vibration and salinity.

With the addition of an Optical Modem, logged data can be transferred subsea and transmitted to the surface through the ROV umbilical.  This allows data to be retrieved faster and more efficiently without the need to recover the unit to the surface.  Although Loop is a standalone solution, it is highly adaptable and can operate independently or integrate with other systems to enhance their capabilities and retrieve data.

Where Loop Makes an Impact

Loop is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of applications and delivers valuable insights where traditional solutions fall short.  Here is where it makes the biggest impact:

· Subsea pipelines – primarily for oil and gas and potentially hydrogen or carbon capture in the future

· Subsea applications – ideal for any subsea installation with sensors that require data logging

· Pre-commissioning pipelines – used during pressure testing and other pipeline-related applications

· Brownfield sites – enables data collection from older subsea installations that lack sensors

· Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) – provides valuable data from brownfield sites to help optimise recovery efforts

Overcoming Industry Challenges

Loop addresses several key industry challenges.  There are often significant challenges in retrieving data from subsea systems due to slow and costly processes.  Loop overcomes this with its Optical Modem subsea download, enabling faster and more efficient data retrieval.  Integrating systems with existing subsea infrastructure is often complex and cumbersome.  Loop’s flexible sensor connectivity allows it to interface with a wide range of sensors, not just pressure and temperature, enabling it to be used in a variety of applications.  The difficulty of managing multiple technologies and systems is common.  Loop’s standalone and modular design allows it to operate independently but it can also be integrated with other systems making it a versatile tool for subsea operations.

Conclusion

Loop sets itself apart with its innovative features, enabling faster and more efficient data retrieval, adaptable sensor compatibility and integration with existing subsea systems.  It is a highly versatile tool for a range of subsea applications, from pipeline pre-commissioning to brownfield site monitoring.  By overcoming key industry challenges, Loop can play a pivotal role in transforming subsea data management.

Want to find out more about Loop and its capabilities? Get in touch today.

Locating a missing tool in a subsea pipeline can be particularly challenging, especially when there are no means of tracking through traditional methods such as electromagnetic transmitters and receivers. During a recent operation, a magnetic surveying system was deployed to locate an in-line inspection (ILI) tool quickly and effectively, offering a reliable solution in a challenging environment. This case study highlights how it was used and its potential application in subsea operations.

Project Background

Our client was performing an in-line inspection as part of a pre-commissioning scope of work in the Mediterranean. During this process, the ILI tool, which was part of a pig train, was received in a damaged condition and part of the tool was missing. This posed a significant challenge, as the batteries in the transmitters on the standard bi-directional pigs – supplied by a third party manufacturer – had depleted, leaving no active signals to locate the lost tool.

A quick solution was required as locating the Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) tool was critical to avoid ongoing vessel costs and potential project delays. With no functioning transmitters but the presence of a magnetic source available, IK Trax proposed using a magnetic surveying system to locate the tool, an option that was quickly approved by the end client.

Our team mobilised a technician and equipment to the vessel, where they worked with an ROV operator to survey a 50m section of the pipeline and surrounding manifold area. The system was mounted in the ROV manipulator, with its screen visible through the ROV camera. The technician monitored the live readings displayed on the screen and, despite magnetic interference in the area, detected a clear spike in the readings when the tool was within range. This hotspot was within an electric valve and the results were confirmed through repeated scans leading to the successful identification of the tool’s location.

Magnetic Surveying System

The magnetic surveying system provided real-time numerical or graphical representations of gauss readings.
The system functioned as follows:

• A live feed displayed variations in magnetic field as the ROV maneuvered through the pipeline area
• Readings indicated a spike in the magnetic field, which implied a potential magnetic signature from the pig
• The team used constant monitoring and fly-bys to confirm the location of the magnetic tool

Using this approach is most effective for shorter pipe sections where the approximate search area is already known. The system’s functionality demonstrates its versatility, proving its effectiveness in challenging subsea environments with potential magnetic interference from ROVs, manifolds and valves.

Future Applications

The successful deployment of the magnetic surveying system during this project highlights its potential for broader applications.

Contingency Planning

Operators can integrate this technology into their standard procedures as a contingency tool. It’s ability to detect magnetic fields without relying on active transmitters makes it an ideal backup solution for scenarios where transmitters are not available, for example when batteries are depleted.

Long-Term Subsea Operations

For operations requiring extended monitoring, such as when pigs are to remain in the pipeline for months or even years, this system can be used to track pigs equipped with powerful magnets instead of transmitters. This approach eliminates concerns about transmitter battery life while still providing reliable confirmation of the pig’s position, even after extended periods.

Real-Time Monitoring

The system’s real-time magnetic field readings offer operators a valuable tool for locating and identifying irregularities, enabling swift and accurate responses to unforeseen situations.

Conclusion

By using this magnetic surveying system, we were able to locate the missing tool quickly and accurately, saving the client both time and money by avoiding costly vessel time and project setbacks. This successful deployment highlights the versatility of the system and its potential to provide an effective solution in a wide range of operational scenarios.

Interested in hearing more about this or other applications? Contact our specialists today.