Introduction Titian Service supported an offshore pigging campaign where the IK Trax EMRx receiver and EMTx20 transmitter were used for pig tracking after a pig became lodged in the pipeline. With the in situ signal system not functioning and offshore conditions creating interference, IK Trax equipment provided clear, consistent detection that enabled the team to confirm the pig’s position and safely retrieve it.
Challenges The pig was launched through a 14 inch gas pipeline around 3.2 km in length. After launch, pressure and noise readings suggested it had reached the receiver. However, when the barrel was opened, the pig was not there. With the original signal system out of action and offshore vibrations creating background noise, pig tracking became more difficult. The pipe wall thickness was 23.83 and this was taken into account.
Solutions Titian used IK Trax EMRx receivers at both the launcher and receiver for pig tracking. When the pig failed to arrive, scanning was carried out along the riser and receiver area using the EMRx, alongside an EMTx20 transmitter installed in the pig. Although false signals were encountered due to background noise, one location showed a consistent, localised transmission. The pig was confirmed to be stuck near a valve, where a mechanical obstruction had occurred. Once corrected, the pig was released and safely recovered.
Conclusion This project demonstrated the reliability of IK Trax pig tracking solutions by using the EMRx receiver and EMTx20 transmitter in offshore pigging operations. When other systems were unavailable, IK Trax provided the clear, consistent tracking needed to safely complete the campaign.
Result The EMRx and EMTx20 worked together to deliver a steady, reliable signal that helped the team confidently locate the pig. Detection through the pipe wall in an offshore setting with environmental interference was still possible after six days. The operation was completed without the need for contingency measures, and the IK Trax system supported safe decision making throughout.
Interested in hearing more about this, or other applications? Contact: sales@iktrax.com
September is set to be a busy month for IK Trax, with the team travelling across the world to take part in several major industry events.
The month starts in Kuala Lumpur at Oil & Gas Asia 2025 from 2nd to 4th September, where IK Trax will be showcasing its technology to the Asia-Pacific market.
Next up is the Argentina Oil & Gas Expo, held in Buenos Aires from 8th to 11th September. Just a day later, the team will also be in Brazil for Rio Pipeline 2025, running from 9th to 11th September in Rio de Janeiro. Both events provide the chance to meet with operators and partners from across Latin America.
Attention then shifts to Singapore for World Offshore Week 2025, taking place from 16th to 17th September. The event will focus on the offshore sector, giving IK Trax the opportunity to highlight its subsea and offshore solutions.
Rounding off the month, IK Trax will attend the SPT Congress 2025 on 23rd and 24th September. The congress, centred on subsea pipeline technology, will bring together experts and decision-makers from across the industry.
With five events in four countries, September will be one of the company’s busiest months of the year.
We’re pleased to welcome two new faces to IK Trax – Amaia Muñoz Iluore and Ian McGilvray, who have both joined us as Technical Sales Engineers this month.
Amaia brings over 12 years’ experience in Sales within the Oil & Gas sector, having worked with some of the industry’s biggest names to support pipeline performance across a range of areas.
Ian joins us with more than 25 years of experience in global oil and gas operations. He’s built a career on delivering high service quality and brings strong technical know-how to customer support.
Outside of work, Amaia enjoys reading, exploring art and history, trying out new technologies, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. Ian is a keen beekeeper, enjoys restoring and driving vintage vehicles, and is also a Trustee at the Grampian Transport Museum.
We’re excited to have them both on board as we continue to grow our team and capabilities.
IK Trax is heading back to Berlin for the Pipeline Technology Conference, taking place from the 6th to the 8th of May 2025. We’re proud to be exhibiting once again and supporting the event as a Silver Sponsor.
Now in its 20th year, PTC is Europe’s leading pipeline conference and exhibition, bringing together industry professionals from around the world to explore the latest innovations and developments in pipeline technology.
You’ll find us at Stand C15, where our team will be on hand to showcase our Intelligent Pipeline Technology and discuss how we support safer, more efficient operations.
The 4004S Magnetic Pig Signaller is a compact, self-contained, non-intrusive device designed for detecting the passage of magnetic pigs in harsh subsea environments. Unlike traditional subsea signallers, the 4004S is designed for permanent installation on subsea pipelines and can be externally powered through a subsea cable connected to a topside control system. This case study details the development of the 4004S Magnetic Pig Signaller and some of the challenges faced by the IK Trax team.
Project Objectives
The development of the 4004S Magnetic Pig Signaller was guided by three primary objectives. Firstly, the signaller needed to be externally powered via a subsea cable linked to a control system or station topside. Secondly, the device had to be designed for easy installation and removal by divers. Finally, the signaller and clamp assembly, required a minimum operational life of 20 years under subsea conditions. These objectives set the 4004S apart from other subsea pig signallers in the market, particularly those within IK Trax’s existing product range, because the unit could be installed permanently subsea and permanently powered if required.
Design and Development Process
The development process for the 4004S began when the IK Trax sales team identified a potential project that required a new pig signaller meeting the specific criteria mentioned earlier. The in-house R&D department quickly assembled a team of engineers who collaborated to create a concept design which went through multiple iterations and reviews to ensure it met all the necessary requirements. After refining the design, it was presented to the client, who expressed confidence in the unit. Following the client’s approval, a detailed quote was provided. And further refinements were made before the manufacturing phase commenced to ensure all specifications were met.
Meeting Technical Requirements
To meet the technical requirements, the 4004S signaller incorporated several key design features. Powering the unit externally was achieved using a Siemens wet-mate connector, which was permanently fixed to the signaller and designed to withstand external pressures of up to 300Bar. The requirement for diver deployability was addressed by designing a bespoke subsea clamp system that included a funnel mechanism. This system allowed divers to easily install and remove the signaller from the pipeline as needed. To ensure the device’s long-term durability, all metal components were made from super duplex stainless steel, a material known for its resistance to corrosion in subsea environments, ensuring that the signaller and clamp assembly could operate reliably for 25 years.
Client feedback was critical for refining the final design. Specifically, feedback regarding the pipe O/D tolerance allowed the engineering team to fine-tune the clamping mechanism, ensuring it could accommodate the large O/D tolerance of subsea pipelines.
Design Challenges and Solutions
The project’s most demanding design challenge involved creating a locking mechanism that could be easily operated by a diver while ensuring that the 4004S remained securely attached to the pipeline, even under strong currents and potential contact with trawlers. The engineering team tackled this by designing a compression-based locking slot. The mechanism was rigorously tested with various compression forces, leading to an optimised design that balanced ease of use with the necessary security.
Installation Process
The installation of the 4004S is straightforward and diver-friendly, primarily due to its well-designed clamp assembly. The clamp assembly, which is provided with the unit, can be pre-installed onto the pipeline topside, simplifying the subsea deployment process. The assembly includes a built-in funnel designed to accommodate and secure the 4004S signaller once it is deployed subsea. A diver can easily install the pig signaller underwater by using assembly tools to insert it into a locking slot on the funnel. Once the signaller is engaged in the locked position, it becomes securely fixed to the clamp assembly on the pipe. If necessary, the signaller can also be removed by a diver, making the installation both secure and reversible.
Testing and Validation
To ensure the 4004S would perform reliably in its intended environment, it underwent extensive testing. The prototype was subjected to a 22-hour pressure test at more than 1.25 times the operating pressure, which confirmed the signaller’s resilience, with no damage or defects observed. Additionally, the custom-designed electronic PCB was thoroughly tested to ensure it provided the correct voltages and currents for accurate signalling. Before shipping, each unit underwent Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), which involved powering the unit from a 24V DC supply, monitoring the current loop in both ‘listening’ and ‘detect’ modes, and verifying that the signaller operated correctly.
Conclusion
The 4004S Magnetic Pig Signaller represents a significant advancement in subsea pig detection technology. By closely collaborating with the client and overcoming technical challenges, IK Trax successfully developed a durable, diver-deployable, and externally powered signaller suitable for permanent subsea installation. This project highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and client satisfaction, resulting in a product that meets the highest standards of subsea operation.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Technology Footprint page! This interactive map highlights where our technologies are making an impact across the globe.
Check back regularly for updates as we continue to expand and innovate worldwide!
Pig tracking and pig signallers have long been integral to pipeline operations, with each process relying on specialised equipment and methods. As technology has advanced, modern Apps have emerged that significantly enhance these tasks. By integrating the latest Apps into your pig tracking and signalling operations, you can streamline processes, improve data accuracy and achieve great operational flexibility.
Streamlined Operations with Real-Time Data
Modern Apps for both pig tracking and signalling offer real-time monitoring capabilities that simplify operations. Pig Tracking Receiver Apps provide a graphical representation of signals, helping to identify individual and multiple pigs with greater accuracy. Similarly, our latest Pig Signaller App allows you to view real-time pig passages directly on your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, eliminating the need to be situated in view of the signaller. The Apps also allow you to detect your pigs from the comfort of your vehicle which can be advantageous if working in a remote area whilst experiencing inclement weather.
Enhanced Flexibility and Convenience
Traditionally, changing settings on pig tracking equipment involved sending units back to the manufacturer, causing delays and additional costs. IK Trax’s EMTx Config App allows operators to adjust transmitter settings such as pulse length, frequency and power output directly on-site. This increased flexibility is mirrored in our receiver and pig signaller apps, which enables users to adjust settings in real time from their device, making the process more convenient and reducing the need for direct equipment handling.
Comprehensive Data Review and Analysis
Both pig tracking and pig signalling apps offer advanced data review features. Receiver apps let users pause, zoom and scroll through past tracking data, facilitating detailed analysis without the need for constant monitoring. Similarly, our pig signaller app provides a live graphical representation of gauss readings from the 4003 Pig Signaller and allows users to download up to 100 stored events. These features enable thorough review and analysis.
Exportable Records and Client Support
One significant advantage of these apps is the ability to generate detailed records of operations. Pig tracking apps enable users to mark areas of interest and create comprehensive logs of received signals, which can be exported for client reporting and supporting data. Our pig signaller apps also supports exporting records, providing clients with valuable data and ensuring a thorough documentation of pig passages.
Discover the Benefits
Explore how these advanced apps can transform your pig tracking and signalling processes. Our Apps are available to download from our website – for more information on integrating these technologies into your operations, contact us today.
We’re pleased to announce that John Macinnes has joined us as our new Finance Manager!
With over 14 years of experience in the Oil & Gas industry across multiple countries and continents, John brings a wealth of knowledge in International Finance and Project Management to IK Trax.
Outside of work, you’ll often find him at the gym, on the golf course, or trying his hand at training his puppy—though he admits the puppy training is still a work in progress!
This month, we caught up with Andrew Donnelly our Mechanical Engineer.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Andrew Donnelly, and I work as a mechanical design engineer at IK Trax. I earned my master’s in mechanical engineering at RGU. Throughout university, I had various work placements, and after graduation, I was lucky enough to be accepted as a graduate mechanical engineer at a start-up oil and gas company and that is where I learned my trade. I now have 6 years of experience in mechanical engineering.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, whether it’s dog walks on the weekends or dinner dates with my fiancé. I am getting married next April, so wedding planning is currently taking up a lot of our time.
Can you tell us about the mechanical capabilities we have at IK Trax and how they are integrated with our electronics engineering capabilities?
At IK Trax, our CAD software allows me to create 3D working assemblies of all our products and prototypes. We also use finite element analysis software and an in-house design calculation package to ensure our prototypes pass the necessary pressure tests before moving to production.
Our electronic engineers can create a 3D model of a PCB, which I can import into my CAD software. I then design an enclosure to house and secure the PCB and other internal components. These components are often subjected to harsh vibratory conditions, so we work together to create an optimal and mechanically robust PCB mounting method.
What projects have you been involved in at IK Trax, and what have been some key highlights and challenges?
One of my favourite projects was the EMTx50, the largest EM transmitter we’ve ever designed. You can read about the design process in the EMTx50 case study.
The EMTx40 EM transmitter is a product I have worked on from conception. This was my first major project at IK TRAX, in which I was the lead mechanical design engineer. This was also my first project that involved designing enclosures for ATEX certification and while it was challenging learning all the requirements, our prototype type successfully passed all ATEX requirements and testing on our first attempt.
What do you find most rewarding about your role, particularly in the context of developing innovative products like we do at IK Trax?
For me, the most rewarding part of the job is talking to other engineers and seeing a concept design become a working production unit. At IK Trax, I can observe and participate in the production of units I’ve designed. It’s exciting to see something that started as a sketch in a notepad get packed into a crate for a job halfway across the world.
Finally, what are your career goals in the area of mechanical engineering?
My career goal is to apply for and achieve chartered engineer CEng status. This will be an important milestone in my engineering career.
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