i2i Pipeline’s ship run return model
i2i have been developing their Pioneer and
SmartFoam tools to be run without specialist
personnel onsite for the past 3 years with great
success. Given the recent travel restrictions due to the Covid19 pandemic, this method of deployment has begun to gain some wider traction within the industry. The ease of mobilization and the fact you don’t need to have external contractors or specialist personnel onsite to operate the tools fits in well with the new norm of restricted travel and social distancing. The additional benefit of low cost, when compared to
conventional ILI technology, is a bonus when many pipeline operators have reduced operational budgets due to the low oil price.
i2i has shipped tools to North America, Europe, and SE Asia during the restricted international travel
period and local teams have been successfully running the tools and collecting some great inspection data.
The process is very simple.
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The Client sends i2i a complete PQ.
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i2i ships a tool out to the client’s field location. The Pioneer smart pigs can be run on NiMH batteries so there are no hazardous goods issues with shipping the tool. The tools can be in the USA, SEA, or the ME within a week of PO acceptance.
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The tools are easy to operate and local technicians have no issues in safely running the smart pigs. They are run as you would a cleaning pig, in all mediums and complex geometry without
disrupting production operations. The Pioneer tools can mass restrictions and dents up to 30% of ID making them a low-risk alternative to
conventional ILI tools
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Once operations are complete the client then cleans off the smart pig and ships it back to i2i. The PU sensor heads and sealing disks can be thrown away after use if heavily worn or contaminated.
Note: i2i’s subscription charge out model is so cost-effective that many clients are keeping the tools onsite for a full 12 months to be used for
monitoring the line
