A company that inspects and finishes steel pipes used at oil-drilling sites is employing radio frequency identification technology to track personnel and tools at its facility. The firm offers two services: the inspection of steel pipes—also known as tubes—and other oil country tubular goods (OCTG) manufactured by its customers (steel mills) to meet American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, and the threading of those tubes as requested by oil companies prior to their shipment to drilling sites. The firm recently completed a trial deployment of various RFID, real-time location system (RTLS) and GPS solutions to track the tubes it inspects and threads, as along with tools and personnel. Learn how the system’s tool-tracking function has improved efficiency and reduced the incidence of lost tools. In addition, hear how the firm is putting RFID tags on cement racks where some parts are stored, enabling forklift operators to ascertain where a particular part is located upon approaching the appropriate tag.
