Pig launcher and receivers

Pigging Process

 Pipeline pigging is a concept in pipeline maintenance that involves the

use of devices known as pigs, which clean pipelines and are capable of

checking pipeline conditions. This process is done without necessarily

interfering with the flow of product in the pipe

 Pigging is a process used in the oil and gas industry to clean or inspect pipelines. The term "pig"
refers to the device that is inserted into the pipeline and is moved along the pipeline using the
fluid flow to accomplish the cleaning or inspection task. Here is a general overview of the pigging
process:
1. Inspection and preparation: Before pigging a pipeline, the operator inspects the pipeline to
determine if it is suitable for pigging. The pipeline must be free of any obstructions that may
interfere with the pig's movement. The pigging equipment is then prepared, including the selection
of the appropriate type of pig, depending on the cleaning or inspection task.
2. Launching the pig: The pig is inserted into the pipeline through a launching station. The operator
verifies that the pig has been launched successfully and is moving through the pipeline as
intended.
3. Pig movement: The pig is moved through the pipeline using the fluid flow. The operator monitors
the pig's progress using sensors or by measuring the pressure drop across the pig.
4. Cleaning or inspection: Depending on the type of pig used, it can perform different tasks such as
removing debris, liquids or inspecting the pipeline's integrity. The pig is designed to scrape the
walls of the pipeline, removing any debris or buildup that has accumulated. During inspection, the
pig may have sensors or cameras to detect and record any defects or abnormalities in the
pipeline.
5. Retrieval: Once the pig has completed its task, it is retrieved from the pipeline through a receiving
station. The operator verifies that the pig has been retrieved successfully and checks it for any
damage or wear and tear.
6. Reporting: The data collected by the pigging equipment is analyzed, and a report is generated,
detailing the pipeline's condition and any maintenance required.
 Pigging is an essential process for maintaining the integrity of oil and gas pipelines, ensuring their
safe and efficient operation
 The primary purpose of pipeline pigs is

to make sure that the pipe is clean and

free from obstruction. The pig is usually

cylindrical or spherical to aid

movement and efficient cleaning. As

the pig moves through the pipeline, it

can remove and possibly detect any

build-ups within the pipe which can

often lead to reduced performance,

increased energy costs, and cause

corrosion, which could lead to

disastrous leaks and cracks in the pipe.

Pigs types
 There are different types of pigs (pipeline inspection gauges) used in the oil and gas industry,
and the selection of the pig type depends on the pipeline's size, shape, material, and the
cleaning or inspection task required. Here are some common types of pigs:
1. Cleaning pigs: These pigs are used to remove any debris or buildup inside the pipeline. They
are equipped with brushes, blades, or other cleaning tools that scrape the pipeline's walls as
they pass through.
2. Batching pigs: These pigs are used to separate two different types of fluids in the pipeline. For
example, they can be used to separate crude oil from water or gasoline from diesel fuel.
3. Gauging pigs: These pigs are used to measure the inside diameter of the pipeline, providing
valuable information on the pipeline's condition, including any deformation or corrosion that
has occurred.
4. Magnetic pigs: These pigs are used to detect and remove any metal debris or particles that
may have accumulated inside the pipeline.
5. Caliper pigs: These pigs are used to measure the wall thickness of the pipeline. They are
particularly useful for detecting any corrosion or erosion that may have occurred in the
pipeline's walls.
6. Smart pigs: These pigs are equipped with sensors or cameras that collect data on the pipeline's
condition as they pass through. They can detect cracks, deformations, or other abnormalities,
providing valuable information for maintenance and repair.
 The selection of the pig type depends on the pipeline's specific needs and the task required.
Often, multiple pigs are used in a single run to perform different tasks, such as cleaning and
inspection, simultaneously.
Pigs types

 Foam pigs : Low-Medium-High density pigs

 Brush associated Pigs

 Bidirectional Pigs

 Magnetic Pigs

 Gel pigs
Pigs Photos
 Smart Pigging
 “Intelligent Pigging” also referred to as “Smart Pigging” is an advanced

robotic technique that propels a purpose-built pipeline integrity gauge

(PIG) unit fitted with a variety of probes and sensors through a pipeline

to detect and measure corrosion, metal loss, cracks, dents,

deformations, etc. a report will detail all major concerns to the condition

and integrity of a pipeline with exact location markers.

Smart Pigging Inspection report
Surface facility Gas/Oil plants

 Chemical Treatment

 Separation

 Desalting

 Gas Dehydration & Sweetening

 Hydrocarbon dew point Optimization

 Oil stabilization

 Compression

 Storage


Separation
Part-1
 2- Separation
 Oil and gas separation is a
common technique in upstream
oil and gas wells, where crude
oil and natural gas are often
found in the same well. Oil and
natural gas have different
density levels, so when they
mix together it can cause
problems down the road. Oil
and gas separation allows for
these two products to be
distinct from one another.
 No separation process has 100% separation efficiency

 Separation technique is determined by design process according to the

feed analysis.
The Seven Principles of Oil Separation
 There are seven principles that affect separation In order to
design a process for separating any mixture of oil and gas, these
principles must be taken into account.

1. Pressure change

2. Temperature change

3. Gravity

4. Scrubbing action

5. Chemical action

6. Electrical

7. Retention time
 1. Pressure Change
 This is the most important principle of oil
separation. The pressure change required
to separate a light oil from a heavy oil may
be different, but there will always be some
pressure change involved in separating
two or more components of any mixture.

 Depending on what needs to be

done, pressure on a hydrocarbon
containing vessel may be manipulated to
enhance the separation process.
 If the vapor pressure in a

vessel containing hydrocarbons is

decreased, some of the lighter

hydrocarbons will flash from the liquid

phase into the vapor phase.

 On the other hand, if vapor pressure in

a vessel containing hydrocarbons

is increased, some of the

lighter hydrocarbons will condense

from the vapor phase back into the

liquid phase.

 These statements are true if

 Pressure has an inverse effect on

separating efficiency. Decreasing

pressure increases the relative velocity

of separation, thereby increasing

efficiency. Increasing pressure decreases

relative velocities, reducing separating

efficiency. Varying the speed of agitation

changes the width of a contacting zone,

which can affect separation efficiency

either positively or negatively depending

upon conditions.
 2.Temprature Change

 Temperature differences between fluids will affect their

relative volatilities due to changing solubility and vapor

pressure levels, which changes their equilibrium

compositions during separation. Heavier oils have

higher viscosity and lower vapor pressure than lighter

oils at a given temperature, so they tend to accumulate

near the bottom of an oil/water emulsion when the

temperature is increased, resulting in improved

separation efficiency compared to operating at low

 Temperature changes go hand-in-hand with pressure changes when it

comes to separation in a hydrocarbon containing system or vessel.

 If the pressure in a vessel remains the same, a rise in temperature will

cause some of the lighter hydrocarbons to flash from liquid to vapor

phase.

 Likewise, a drop in temperature at a fixed pressure will cause some of

the hydrocarbons to condense into the liquid phase.

 3. Gravity
 Gravity, or more specifically, the difference

in specific gravity of the components being

separated is the biggest factor in the time

it takes for the components to separate.

 The greater difference in the specific

gravity of the components, the faster

separation will occur.

 There is a significant difference in the specific

gravity between gas, oil and water so the gas

does not take long to break out and rise to

the top of the liquids.

 The less difference between the specific

gravity of the components means there must

be more settling or retention time for the

components to separate out. If there is a

greater difference in the specific gravity of

the components, such as in the gas and oil

example, gross separation will take place

rather quickly.
 4. Scrubbing Action
 Scrubbing action is what separates oil from gas. The number of physical
stages required to remove the oil is determined by the stripping action.
Viscosity, pressure, temperature, and density are properties that can be
used to determine which process will yield the most efficient separation.
5. Chemical Action

 Chemical action between two immiscible liquids is necessary for

separation. The interfacial area between the two liquids must be
retained to provide the chemical action. A decrease in temperature will
always reduce or eliminate three-phase contact and therefore reduces
separation efficiency.
 6. Electrical
 Electrical separation is based on the fact that oil and water have

different dielectric constants. When a mixture of oil and water is

electrically grounded, so one phase has a positive charge and the other

phase has a negative charge, the two phases will separate.

 This method can be employed in both vertical and horizontal vessels.

7. Retention time

 Retention time of the oil in the separator can be used to determine how

much gas can be recovered. The greater the retention time, the more oil

that will be removed. This is due to the fact that as long as oil remains in

contact with inert gas, it will not rise. The longer the contact time

between the inert gas and liquid, the larger amount of oil will dissolve

into the vapor phase.

Separation techniques

 Gravity separators

 Centrifugal separators

 Filter vane separators

 Mist eliminator pads

 Liquid/Gas coalescers
Gravity separators
 Separation by gravity is the most common application of separation
techniques applied in oil and gas processing.
 Oil is less dense than water, so it

can float to the top. Generally,

natural gas is much less dense

than crude oil. Oil has a specific

gravity of 0.85 g/cm 3, while

natural gas has a specific density

of about 0.55 g/cm 3. Gravity

separation uses these differences

in material to separate out

different products found in one

single stream into different streams

that are distinct from each other,

 An oil/gas separator is a pressure vessel used for
separating a well stream into gaseous and liquid
components. They are installed either in an onshore
processing station or on an offshore platform. Based on
the vessel configurations, the oil/gas separators can be
divided into horizontal, vertical, or spherical separators.
In teams of fluids to be separated, the oil/gas
separators can be grouped into gas/liquid two-phase
separator or oil/gas/water three-phase separator. Based
on separation function, the oil/gas separators can also
classified into primary phase separator, test separator,
high-pressure separator, low-pressure separator,
deliquilizer, degasser, etc.
 To meet process requirements, the oil/gas separators

are normally designed in stages, in which the first

stage separator is used for priliminary phase

separation, while the second and third stage

separator are applied for further treatment of each

individual phase (gas, oil and water). Depending on a

specific application, oil/gas separators are also called

deliquilizer or degasser. The deliquilizers are used to

remove dispersed droplets from a bulk gas stream;

while the degassers are designed to remove

contaimined gas bubbles from the bulk liquid stream.

 It is important to highlight that: The degree of separation is dependent on the

retention time provided. Retention time is affected by the amount of liquid the

separator can hold, and the rate at which the fluids enter the vessel.

 Separator categories and nomenclature:

Since, separators is any device of vessel will separate a certain phase from

another immiscible phase, there are many types of vessel or devices

performing this function, however, their names will differ as follows:

 Two- phase separator: A vessel used to

separate a mixed-phase stream into gas

and liquid phases that are "relatively" free

of each other. Other terms used are

scrubbers, knockouts, line drips, and

decanters.

 Flash Tank: A vessel used to separate

the gas evolved from liquid flashed from a

higher pressure to a lower pressure.

 Line Drip: Typically used in pipelines with very

high gas-to-liquid ratios to remove only free

liquid from a gas stream.

Liquid-Liquid Separators: Two immiscible

liquid phases can be separated using the same

principles as for gas and liquid separators.

Liquid-liquid separators are fundamentally the

same as gas-liquid separators except that they

must be designed for much lower velocities.

Because the difference in density between two

liquids is less than between gas and liquid,

separation is more difficult.

 Scrubber or Knockout: A vessel
designed to handle streams with high
gas-to-liquid ratios. The liquid is
generally entrained as mist in the
gas or is free-flowing along the pipe
wall. These vessels usually have a
small liquid collection section.

 Slug Catcher: A particular separator

design able to absorb sustained in-
flow of large liquid volumes at
irregular intervals.
Usually found on gas gathering
systems or other two phase pipeline
systems. A slug catcher may be a
single large vessel or a manifolded
system of pipes.
 Three Phase Separator: A vessel used to

separate gas and two immiscible liquids of different

densities (e.g. gas, water, and oil).

 Filter Separators: A filter separator usually has

two compartments.

The first compartment contains filter-coalescing

elements. As the gas flows through the elements,

the liquid particles coalesce into larger droplets

and when the droplets reach sufficient size, the gas

flow causes them to flow out of the filter elements

into the center core. The particles are then carried

into the second compartment of the vessel

(containing a vane-type or knitted wire mesh mist

extractor) where the larger droplets are removed. A

lower barrel or boot may be used for surge or

storage of the removed liquid.

 Separator components
 An oil/gas separator generally consists of following components
• Inlet device located in pre-separation zone/section for priliminary phase separation;
• Baffles downstream the inlet component to improve flow distribution
• Separation enhancement device located in the primary separation (gravity settling)
section for major phase separation;
• Mist extraction device located in gas space to further reduce liquid content in the bulk gas
stream;
• Various weirs to control the liquid level or interface level;
• Vortex breaker to prevent gas carry under at outlet of liquid phase;
• Liquid level/interface detection and control, etc.;
• Gas, oil, water outlet;
• Pressure relief devices
 In most oil/gas processing systems, the oil/gas separator is the first vessel the well
stream flows through after it leaves the producing well. However, other equipment such
as heaters may be installed upstream of the separator.
Two Phase separators
 Two phase separator is a pressure vessel used to separate the inlet stream to two
components liquid and gas.

 The separation process is performed by specific gravity variation between liquid

and gas.

 A flashing process occur one the inlet stream enters the separator resulting in
separation of liquid droplets precipitated in the bottom of the vessel and gas going
out in the upper section of the vessel.

 Baffles are places inside the vessel in the way of the inlet stream to improve the
separation process.

 Mist extractor is placed in the gas outlet for improves separation of the liquid
droplets coming out with the gas stream.

 Vortex breaker is placed in the liquid stream outlet to prevent escape of the gasses
 Two phase separators can be chosen as
horizontal or vertical.

 Capacity and design techniques from

number and angle of baffles , mist
extractor & vortex breaker , place of
inlet and outlet sizing of inlet and outlet
pipes all are subjected to the following :

 Inlet flow rate

 Vapor content

 Feed composition

 Emulsion percentage

 Sand , Slugs
Two phase separation process
 Three principles used to achieve physical separation of gas and liquids or
solids are momentum, gravity settling, and coalescing.
Any separator may employ one or more of these principles, but the fluid
phases must be "immiscible" and have different densities for separation to
occur.
 Since a separation depends upon gravity to separate the fluids, the ease
with which two fluids can be separated depends upon the difference in
the density or weight per unit volume of the fluids. (Density of liquid is
much higher than density of gases).
In the process of separating, separation stages are as follows:
1- Separate liquid mist from the gas phase.
2- Separate gas in the form of foam from the liquid phase.
3- In case of 3 phase separation, in addition to the above two
requirements, water droplets should be separated from oil phase, and oil
droplets should be separated from water phase.
Droplets of liquid mist will settle out from gas, provided:
The gas remains in the separator long enough for mist to drop out.
The flow of the gas through the separator is slow enough that no
turbulence occurs, which will keep the gas stream stirred up so that the
liquid has no chance to drop out.
The objective of ideal two-phase separation, is to separate the
hydrocarbon stream into liquid-free gas and gas-free-liquid. Ideally, the
gas and liquid reach a state of equilibrium at the existing conditions of
Pressure and Temperature within the vessel.
 Liquid droplets will settle out of a gas phase due to the difference in
densities if the gravitational force acting on the droplet is greater than
the drag force of the gas flowing around the droplet The drag force is
the force resulted from the velocity of gas and affecting the entrained
droplet of liquid, forcing it to move in the gas flow direction.
 the liquid droplet in gas phase and gas
bubble in liquid phase in both
configurations of horizontal and vertical
separators. From both figures, it’s clear
that, in vertical separator, the
gravitational settling force is
countercurrent or opposite of the drag
force resulted from gas movement. While
in horizontal separator, the two forces
are perpendicular to each other.
The same for the gas bubble entrained in
liquid in vertical and horizontal
separators.
 Factors Affecting Separation

Characteristics of the flow stream will greatly affect the design and operation

of a separator. The following factors must be determined before separator

design:

• Gas and liquid flow rates (minimum, average, and peak),

• Operating and design pressures and temperatures,

• Surging or slugging tendencies of the feed streams,

• Physical properties of the fluids such as density and compressibility factor,

• Designed degree of separation (e.g., removing 100% of mist greater than 10

microns of gas stream),

• Presence of impurities (paraffin, sand, scale, etc.),

• Corrosive tendencies of the liquids or gas.