Space Data Brings Low-Cost Corrosion Monitoring Solution
Chandler, AZ
March 18, 2008
It is estimated that corrosion costs the pipeline industry $5.4 to 8.6 billion each year and is the primary cause of pipeline failures. Monitoring corrosion in pipelines, which are often located in extremely remote locations, is difficult, labor intensive and expensive. Today, Space Data Corporation announced a low-cost solution to monitoring pipelines in remote and inaccessible areas.
For the past four years, Space Data’s high-altitude SkySite® communication platforms have provided M2M communications for the energy industry on a 24/7 basis. The company has flown more than 15,000 successful flights for the oil and gas industry. In addition, SkySite platforms provide highly mobile communication networks for the U.S. military and will soon provide diabetes monitoring for Navajos located across hundreds of thousands of miles of tribal lands. Operating in Near Space, the balloon-borne SkySites operate above weather systems as they drift across target areas.
Because they are far less expensive than erecting towers in remote areas or using satellite communications, the SkySite alternative can significantly reduce the cost of labor intensive inspections for pipeline companies and yet expand monitoring to prevent accidents caused by corrosion. Space Data’s Cathodic Protection Rectifier Monitoring Service was thoroughly tested by pipeline companies and found to be highly effective.
“Space Data’s cathodic protection monitors have greatly improved the reliability of my cathodic system,” said Donald Jones, Cathodic Technician for Giant Oil in Farmington, New Mexico. “They provide a low cost alternative for communications with my rectifiers which keeps me informed of the status of each unit without having to travel to remote locations with long travel times and harsh road conditions. Space Data has provided communication with locations that other communication systems have failed to provide reliable communication.
The e-mail alarming feature allows the opportunity to keep down times short and the pipelines properly protected.”
“There are more than 300,000 miles of natural gas pipelines alone in North America,” said John Carlin, vice president of marketing and sales. “This is a tremendous opportunity to serve a significant industry niche. Unlike other cathodic protection solution providers, Space Data owns and operates the network. This means greater control and lower cost for customers. By lowering the cost of monitoring and increasing the ability to monitor over a greater geographic area, we are offering the energy industry both savings and increased safety.”
About Space Data Space Data is a privately held, Arizona corporation and is a leader at using Near Space communications to provide wireless services in rural and remote areas. Near Space is that region of the atmosphere higher than airplanes and lower than satellites. Space Data has provided M2M services for the oil and gas industry for nearly four years in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico using NPCS transceivers on high altitude balloons. It also provides Near Space Communications Systems to the United States Air Force under a $49 million contract. For more information please visit www.spacedata.net
Media Contacts:
John Carlin: 440-452-4648; john.carlin@spacedat.net
Tim Ayers: 202-857-9734; tim@ayersassociates.net.