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Basics of Pipeline Pigging

The document provides an overview of pipeline pigging, which involves using devices called pigs for cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining pipelines. It outlines the purposes of pigging, including construction, in-service cleaning, and routine inspections for corrosion and metal loss, as well as the different types of pigs used. Additionally, it details typical procedures for launching and receiving pigs, along with troubleshooting methods for common issues encountered during pigging operations.

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5 views

Basics of Pipeline Pigging

The document provides an overview of pipeline pigging, which involves using devices called pigs for cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining pipelines. It outlines the purposes of pigging, including construction, in-service cleaning, and routine inspections for corrosion and metal loss, as well as the different types of pigs used. Additionally, it details typical procedures for launching and receiving pigs, along with troubleshooting methods for common issues encountered during pigging operations.

Uploaded by

dreamtech.japan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basics of Pipeline

Pigging
What is a Pig?
A pig is defined as:

A device that moves through the inside of a pipeline for the


purpose of cleaning, dimensioning, or inspecting.
Why Pig in a Pipeline?
There are three main purposes for the pigging of
pipelines.

1- Construction and commissioning .

2- In service (Cleaning & Sealing).

3- Routine pigging for corrosion and metal loss


inspection
1- Construction and commissioning:

After the pipeline is built, it will be necessary to run pigs to :

1- Remove any debris left in the line from new construction;


items such as tools, welding rods, dead animals trapped in the
line, etc.

2- Verify the ovality of the pipeline by the owner.


2- In service:

When the pipeline is in service :


✓ Remove accumulated water in product pipelines
✓ Remove any water that has accumulated in the low
spots of the pipeline and reduce corrosion.
✓ Separate products in pipelines that handle multiple
products such as various grades of gasoline, heating
oils, and jet fuels
3- Routine pigging for corrosion and metal loss
inspection:

Before Inspection pigging:


✓ Pre-Inspection pigging before running an ILI (In Line
Inspection) tool will not only require the pipe
be clean but a dummy pig be run to assure the ILI tool will
go through the line.
✓ Under certain conditions pipelines may require chemical
cleaning or a train of gel pigs may be used for certain
cleaning conditions.
3- Routine pigging for corrosion and metal loss
inspection:

During Inspection:
Insert Intelligent Inspection Pig at certain point and follow and
receive it at certain point, for inspect metal loss and corrosion
.
Cleaning pigs:
Gel Pig:
May be used for certain cleaning conditions
There are four main types of gel that are used in pipeline
applications:
• Batching, or separator gel
• Debris pickup gel
• Hydrocarbon gel
• Dehydrating gel
Spherical Pigs or spheres:
Profile Pig:

A profile pig is a gauging pig with multiple gauging plates, usually


three plates. One plate is mounted on the front, one in the middle,
and one on the rear of the pig.
It is normally used before running an ILI (In Line Inspection) tool to
assure the tool's passage around bends and through the pipeline.
Inspection Pig

Instrumented Pig is a device for inline inspection of buried


pipelines to monitor their health and assess the risk
associated with their operation.
How it works:

▪ Instrumented pig travels with the propelling force of


the fluid being pumped through the pipeline. While
traveling inside the pipeline the onboard data
recording systems record the defect data. The data is
retrieved and interpreted after receiving the pig at the
receiving pump station.
▪ The data on external and internal defects is reported
with fairly good accuracy with respect to defects sizing
and location.
How it works:

▪ On the basis of this data the pipeline operator can take


appropriate corrective measures depending upon the
severity of the defects.
Typical Pig Launching&
Receiving Sequences
Launcher & Receiver
Typical Pig Launching Procedures:
1. Make sure that the isolation valve and the kicker valve are
closed.
2. In liquid systems, open the drain valve and allow air to
displace the liquid by opening the vent valve. In natural
gas systems, open the vent and vent the launcher to
atmospheric pressure.
3. When the pig launcher is completely drained (0 psi), with
the vent and drain valves still open, open the trap
(closure) door.
Typical Pig Launching Procedures:
4. Install the pig with the nose firmly in contact with the
reducer between the barrel and the nominal bore section
of the launcher.
5. Clean the closure seal and other sealing surfaces,
lubricate if necessary, and close and secure the closure
door.
6. Close the drain valve. Slowly fill the trap by gradually
opening the kicker valve and venting through the vent
valve.
Typical Pig Launching Procedures:
7. When filling is complete, close the vent valve to allow
pressure to equalize across the isolation valve.
8. Open the isolation valve. The pig is ready for launching.
9. Partially close the main line valve. This will increase the
flow through the kicker valve and behind the pig.
Continue to close the main line valve until the pig leaves
the trap into the main line as indicated by the pig signaler.
10. After the pig leaves the trap and enters the main line, fully
open the main line valve. Close the isolation valve and the
kicker valve.
Typical Pig Launching Procedures:
11. The pig launching is complete.
Typical Pig Receiving Procedures:

1. Make sure the receiver is pressurized.


2. Fully open the valve from pig receiver to main line.
3. Fully open the isolation valve and partially close the main
line valve.
4. Monitor the pig signaler for pig arrival.
5. Close the isolation valve and bypass valve.
6. Open the drain valve and the vent valve.
7. Check the pressure gauge on the receiver to assure the
trap is depressurized (0 psi).
Typical Pig Receiving Procedures:

8. Open the trap closure and remove the pig from the
receiver.
9. Clean the closure seal and other sealing surfaces,
lubricate if necessary, and close and secure the trap
(closure) door.
10. Return the receiver to the original condition.
Troubleshooting Pig
✓ Increase the flow rate and line pressure, but do not exceed safe
limits of the pipeline.
✓ Remove pressure from the line and vent or drain toward the
launcher. Removing pressure allows the pig to relax to its
original shape and may cause it to back up in the pipeline. Allow
pressure to dissipate. After 15-30 minutes, re-pressure the line
in an attempt to drive the pig through the restriction. Repeat two
to three times.
✓ In a potable water line when pigging with a foam pig, super
chlorinate (3000 to 5000 ppm) in a slug form to dissolve the pig.
Thank You

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