What type of RFID transponder could be used for the purpose of monitoring such pipes that require inspection?
—Name withheld
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As I understand it, the idea would be to place a tag on or near a pipe that needs to be inspected, and to write information to that tag, thereby confirming when an inspection was performed.
To answer that question, I reached out to Konrad Konarski, the co-founder of the Oil and Gas RFID Solutions Group, who suggests using “a tag with higher memory capacity and a longer read range” than a conventional ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) tag. He also recommends employing a tag that can withstand exposure to organic solvents and other field chemicals.
There are a variety of tags available on the market that would likely fit the bill, from such companies as Confidex, Omni-ID, William Frick & Co. and Xerafy. It really depends on the read range you wish to achieve, and the amount of memory you require.
The following stories might prove helpful:
• BP Uses RFID Sensors to Track Pipe Corrosion
• RFID Smooths Production for Oil-Pipe Manufacturer
• Petrobras Opts for RFID to Track Drill Pipe
• Omni-ID Debuts Tags for Oil and Gas Companies
• Cordex Launches Handheld Pipe-Testing System
• Armored-RFID Tag Loves to Get Hammered
—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal