Helping pipeline owners and operators improve system performance for greater profitability has been the goal of pigging technology pioneer tdw since 1943. Usually, the first application is when the contractor runs a cleaning pig to clean short sections of pipe to remove dirt and other construction debris that may be inside the pipe as the pipeline is being assembled. The pipeline was being constructed to carry brine to consumers from. Pipeline pigging has a significant role to play in meeting these conditions, and pigs are met with in a number of guises during precommissioning operations. Pigging is a vital component of ongoing pipeline maintenance and operation, but its value extends far beyond those roles. Dec 18, 2018 components of a pipeline pigging system.
After the pipeline has been cleaned, the next phase is acceptance testing where pigs are used for. Much of the gas that is vented can be recovered by. Product pipeline pig tracking, signaling, and communications. Introduction to pigging in pipeline the process piping. Pipeline pigging is the use of maintenance devices called pigs to ensure that the interiors of oil and gas lines are clean and free from obstruction as well as to ascertain pipeline integrity. Pigging pipeline processes vary depending on the type of product carried in the pipeline, and the size and materials of which it is constituted. Pigging in the maintenance of pipelines refers to the practice of using pipeline inspection gauges or pigs to perform various operations on a pipeline without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline.
The pipeline is normally segmented into sections, and a pig trap is fitted at the start and end of each section. Check to make sure that all valves on the line to be cleaned are open. Pipeline pigging technology john tiratsoo download. Progressive pigging method pipeline pigging products. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote.
The importance of pipeline cleaning pipeline technology. The pig is a cylindrical or spherical device propelled through a pipeline by the force of the fluid in motion or pulled with a string. Utility pigs, which are used to perform functions such as cleaning, separating. Hps hygienic pigging systems hps hps product recovery. While actual pipeline pigging procedures vary, a pigging system typically consists of the pig, launcher, and receiver. Turn on the water to double check the direction of flow. Precommissioning when new pipelines are built, they generally need to be cleaned of construction debris and prepared for hydrostatic testing. Run a line size swab to prove the flow and true size of opening. Pipeline pigs are capsule shaped objects which travel through the pipeline, cleaning the inner walls of the pipeline by brushing action. Pdf an explosion in a pipe during pipe pigging procedure is described.
The primary purpose of pipeline pigs is to make sure that the pipe is clean and free from obstruction. To determine the amount of corrosion or metal loss in the pipeline, an ili in line inspection tool is used. This document was downloaded from the penspen integrity. The inclusion of a simple gauge plate, made of a soft metal generally aluminium, on batching pigs provides the function. Keeps pipeline running continuously keeps pipeline near maximum throughput by removing debris. The basic pigging procedure requires a launcher and a receiver to clean a pipeline. These topics will be discussed in an order of usable procedures that will hopefully. For crude oil pipelines, depending on debris, wax and sand. Provisions in the station design should include handling. An introduction to pipeline pigging by robert davidson. Reasons for pigging pigging of a pipeline is required at various stages of a pipelines life for a variety of reasons. Design and control of pig operations through pipelines request pdf. Increase decrease pigging pressure alternating fashion.
Pipeline owners and operators also use pigs to protect their product purity, remove unwanted materials and items from their line, prepare for precommissioning and inspection testing, and confirm pipeline defects. Socalled smart pipeline inspection gauges pigs, figure 1 commonly carry out inspection and fault identification of these pipelines. Contact hps early on the principle of pigging, that is, sending a tightfitting projectile through a pipeline to force out residual product, is straightforward. For more information on bc one call, visit the bc one call. Pigging will also remove mill scale or welding icicles in the line. Depending on the pipeline media, intelligent pigging should be performed not less than once a year. Weldfit is the leader in innovative pigging technologies that ensure maximum flow rates.
Operational pigging water pipelines apache pipeline products. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the uses of. Pigging gathering lines hydrocarbons and water condense inside wet gas gathering lines, causing pressure drop and reducing gas flow periodic line pigging removes liquids and debris to improve gas flow efficient pigging. By increasing and decreasing the pressure in a quick onandoff fashion, may give it the proverbial kick in the rear to help the pig to. In that case the pressure will increase after the 4th stage slurry pipe, and can be checked since there is a. Oil and gas pipeline design, maintenance and repair. Introduction to pigging in pipeline by theprocesspiping published july 12, 2018 updated july 8, 2018 pigging in pipeline is a process in pipeline maintenance that involves the use of devices known as pigs, which clean pipelines and are capable of checking pipeline condition without necessarily stopping or interfering with the flow of. In pipeline transportation, pigging is the practice of using pipeline inspection gauges, devices generally referred do as pigs or scrapers to perform various maintenance operations. Pipe pigs are used for a range of purposes, including natural gas and liquid pipelines. The principal activities involved in preparing a pipeline for operation are those of filling, cleaning and gauging. The choice of these pig traps will depend on the type of pig to be run and pipeline design conditions. 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 condition.
Pigs can maintain pipelines without disrupting the flow of fluids through them. This is done without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline. The liquids, recovered at pipeline pressure, flash and vent light hydrocarbon gases from the storage tanks. Pdf 82677019pipelinepigginghandbook taufan muhammad. Most pipeline gels are waterbased, but a range of chemicals. Pdf pipe explosion during pigging procedure researchgate. We are constantly striving to find new ways to offer the best pig at the best price, coupled with unsurpassed service. Pigging loops pig launchers and receivers plr designed for longevity bhge provides proven solution for subsea pigging interfacing with our manifolds and pipeline termination structures for temporary, fixed or subsea reinstallable configurations designed for initial commissioning or for integrity management during field operation. After 100 miles, a plug about 1,450 ft long would form. Routine pipeline pigging maintenance routine pigging. The increased pressure equates to increased force, which may be enough to allow the pig to push the obstruction. Pdf while buildup in a pipeline can cause transmittal slows or even plugging of the pipeline, cracks or flaws in the line can be disastrous. These are summarised below in an example of an oil production pipeline.
Available methodologies concerning the treatment and removal of. The maintenance tool, pipeline pigs are introduced into the line via a pig. To define pigging, it i s a process in which a properly sized device, be it spherical or cylindrical is propelled through a pipeline by manipulating the pressure and. Thats why we strongly recommend you use the comprehensive range of pigging system design services hps provide. All the papers are derived from conferences held in aberdeen in 1988 and 1990, and houston in 1989, 1990, and 1991. Pigging in pipeline is a process in pipeline maintenance that involves the use of devices known as pigs, which clean pipelines and are capable of checking pipeline condition without necessarily stopping or interfering with the flow of product in the pipeline. Our technologies help mitigate operational issues, corrosion, downtime and low flow rates associated with liquid pooling and slugs.
If the pig has passed through the pipeline the snubber stops it. The pig is inserted into the pig launcher which is slightly larger in diameter than the pipeline. Therefore, it is increasingly critical that the pigs negotiate the pipeline successfully and perform well. Pigging system design hps hygienic pigging systems. These systems are frequently pigged with spherical or bulletshaped pigs to remove accumulated liquids and reduce the gathering system pressure drop. As the price of oil remains depressed worldwide, pressure increases on existing pipeline systems to ensure delivery of fluids in the most cost effective and dependable means possible. How to remove stuck pigs pipeline pigging products. Polly pigs are used for line proving proving a pig will pass through the line, drying and wiping, removal of thick soft deposits, condensate removal in wet gas pipelines and pigging multiple diameter lines. The cost of a shutdown due to a stuck pig can be very large, especially offshore. While helping companies recover product and decrease production costs, we also reduce cip clean in place and change over times, lower cleaning fluid use, improve operational efficiency and shrink carbon footprint with our fully sustainable hygienic technology.
Also known as a swabbing pig, the batching pig is designed to act as a simple barrier between dissimilar fluids or to provide a sweep of a line. Implement the requirements of this specification when designing business unit, functional group or site specific pigging procedures. We have a range of pigging solutions onhand that increase both your confidence and your performance. How to pig a pipeline gas pipeline pigging procedure nigen. Hiltap has pigging systems for both industrial and sanitary applications. Pigging operations refers to maintenance practice for pipelines using pipeline pigs, for cleaning or inspection of pipeline without stopping operation of the pipeline. Pipeline pigging refers to the practice of using devices or implements known as pigs to perform various cleaning, clearing, maintenance, inspection, dimensioning, process and pipeline testing operations on new and existing pipelines. The cd52 bandit is available with atexiecex or csaul certification. Pipelines that handle multiple products such as various. By gathering intelligence about the internal condition of the pipeline inline services can determine efficient maintenance programs. The purpose of pigging 4 cleaning pigging is an integral part of pipeline construction.
We not only strive to meet the expectations of our customers, but exceed them. This will require a gauging pig and sometimes a geometry pig. Pigging for flow assurance in oil and gas pipelines. Tdw manufactures one of the industrys widest ranges of purposebuilt pigs. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the uses of pigs in these operations, and provide some basic information on train design and pig selection. How pipeline pigging works pipeline pigging process. For this reason, pipelines are operated to very definite pigging programmes. Polly pigs coated with a wire brush or silicon carbide are used for scraping and mild abrasion of the pipeline. Any pigging operation should be carefully planned to ensure that the correct tool is used, that appropriate pipeline cleaning is carried out, the pig. Pigging loops pig launchers and receivers plr baker. The owner may also require a pig to verify the ovality of the pipeline. A form of flow assurance for oil and gas pipelines and flowlines, pipeline pigging ensures the line is running smoothly. This vast inventory includes cleaning, batching, gauging, liquids displacement, and specialty pigs, available in. The launcher is then closed and the force of fluid moving through the line propels it along the entire length of the pipe, clearing debris or material buildup.
Whenever possible, this pigging is done onstream i. A maintenance program would include the type of pigs to be used and the frequency they should be run. Pipeline pigging products,pig equipment manufacturers. After the pipeline is built, it will be necessary to run pigs to remove any debris left in the line. Demonstration of pipe and pipeline integrity by means of intelligent. The pig is repeatedly sent through the pipeline to swap deposits from that pipeline until hardly any deposit can be found. In many circumstances, deposits are managed through regular maintenance. For existing operational pipelines pigging is normally performed without stopping the flow of the product in.