Page 115 - Pipeline Pigging Technology

Pipeline Pigging Technology

Onshore - to process this data in order to produce reports for clients.

Possible options

Turnkey us. bespoke system

The first decision to be taken was whether to buy an existing system or to
develop a new one based on TOM’S requirements. In 1985, there were not
many computerized pipeline inspection systems on the market, and none of
the existing ones really met the requirements. It was for this reason that TOM
decided to opt for a bespoke system.

Onshore vs. oflshore

Secondly it was necessary to determine whether the system would be
taken on-board the inspection vessels during the campaigns or would remain
onshore.
In favour of the “offshore” option were: the ability to access the database
during the survey and the possibility of realtime data input. Against this idea
were: the concern of added complexity and the requirement for more
personnel, which would increase the cost of the inspection.
However, it was noted that there was no real need to access the database
during the survey if the operation was properly prepared. Therefore the
decision was made that the computer would remain onshore and inspection
data would be loaded from magnetic tapes shortly after the campaigns.

Microcomputer us. minicomputer or mainframe

The last decision was to choose the type of machine the system would run
on.
The points in favour of a microcomputer (inexpensive hardware and
system software, simplicity of operation) were outweighed by the advantages
of using a bigger machine, for which the hardware and system software would
be more appropriate to the volume of data to be managed. Additionally, it
would provide a multi-user environment and there would be less chance of
hardware or software being phased out a few years later.
For this application, which was a long-term investment, a minicomputer
was considered to be a better choice than a micro. Company policy for
information systems and computer availability then dictated that the system
would be developed on a PRIME computer.

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