SAAM ™ Technology

The revolutionary SAAM ™ (Smart Acquisition Analysis Module) pipeline inspection tool provides a unique alternative to the pipeline operator, with the SAAM ™ EGP (Electronic Gauging Pig) variant providing similar benefits to the pipeline constructor. The EGP is based on the same proven SAAM ™ hardware platform. SAAM ™ and SAAM ™ EGP provide an inspection solution that:

• Is low cost
• Is easy to deploy, without significant disruption to operations.
• Presents a negligible risk to the pipeline.

The SAAM ™ tool is deployed entirely within a utility pig, and thus is able to inspect the pipeline as part of a routine cleaning or gauging opertion . SAAM ™ uses the cleaning pig itself as its carrier and sensor, and by recording the behavior of the pig as it travels down the line, is able to identify, locate and monitor a wide range of features and conditions within a line.

The standard SAAM ™ unit consists of a 316SS pressure casing container a processor stack, memory card, battery pack, power supply card and instrumentation. The SAAM ™ can be supplied with a range of sensors, including a differential pressure cell, absolute pressure cell, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and vibration sensor.

Technical Specification
Length	380mm - 540mm[1]
Diameter	100mm
Range	up to 60 hours[1],[2]
Pipeline Diameters	8" and upwards
Temperature Ranges	0°C - 60°C [2]
Maximum Pressure	187.5 barg [2]
Service	Hydrocarbon/Water

SAAM ™ EGP (Electronic Gauging Pig)

SAAM ™ EGP provides a technologically advanced method by which to gauge a pipeline, new or old. Based on the standard SAAM ™ hardware, the EGP provides the aded capability of rapid turnaround of key information from the data, within a number of hours or days. By retrofitting SAAM ™ EGP into a traditional gauging pig, the user can add significant value to the standard gauging process. SAAM ™ EGP offers the following benefits:

• Easy and rapid on-site interrogation, using a laptop computer immediately post deployment
• Major savings of time and cost involved in locating and diagnosing problems.

  As a pig passes a pipeline intrusion such as a dent, it is forced to squeeze past. This has the effect of significantly increasing the differential pressure across the pig. In addition, the intrusion will also cause it to vibrate rigorously, and decelerate before accelerating back to a normal speed.

		This diagram shows a standard section of pipe, with a dent in it. The pig will be forced to squeeze as it passes through this section.
Dp	distance	As the pig initially hits the dent, it will be impeded, causing the pressure to build up behind it. This results in an increase of DP. As the pig is then forced passed the intrusion, the DP returns to its normal level.
Units	distance	Because the pig is impacting with the dent, the normally low background vibration is increased as it bumps its way passed. The vibration then returns to normal.
G	distance	When the pig hits the dent, it is momentarily showed down. As it is released passed the dent, it then momentarily accelerates, back to its previous steady speed.