Pipe pigging

What is Pig

Pipeline pigs are devices that are inserted into and travel
throughout the length of a pipeline driven by a product flow.

They were originally developed to remove deposits which could

obstruct or retard flow through a pipeline.

Today pigs are used during all phases in the life of a pipeline for
many different reasons.

There are basically three reasons to pig a pipeline:

 To batch or separate dissimilar products;
 For displacement purposes;
 For internal inspection.
 Pigging
Pipeline pigs are used to prove flow diameter to
maintain a continuous flow through the pipeline.

Functions
Separation of products
Cleaning out deposits and debris
Gauging the internal bore
Location of obstructions
Separation of products
Meter loop Calibration
Liquid Removal
Gas Removal
 Pigging

Functions

 Pipe Geometry Measurement

 Internal Inspection

 Coating of internal bore

 Corrosion inhibition

 Improving Flow Efficiency

 Pipe pigging

The pigs which are used to accomplish these tasks can be divided into
three categories:

Utility Pigs
which are used to perform functions such as cleaning, separating, or
dewatering.

Inline inspection Pigs

which provide information on the condition of the line, as well as the
extent and location of any problems.

Gel Pigs
which are used in conjunction with conventional pigs to optimize pipeline
dewatering, cleaning, and drying tasks.
 Pipe pigging
The type of pig to be used and its optimum configuration for a particular task in
a particular pipeline should be determined based upon several criteria, which
include:

The purpose
 Type, location, and volume of the substance to be removed or displaced
in conventional pigging applications,
 Type of information to be gathered from an intelligent pig run,
 Objectives and goals for the pig run.
The line contents
 The contents of the line while pigging,
 Available vs. required driving pressure,
 Velocity of the pig.
Characteristics of the pipeline
 The minimum and maximum internal line sizes,
 Maximum distance pig must travel,
 Minimum bend radius, and bend angles,
 Additional features such as valve types, branch connections, and the
elevation profile.
 Types of pigs

 Conventional Pigs

Inexpensive tools for removing troublesome

debris from the pipeline or batching
dissimilar products.
Functions
- Cleaning
- Swabbing
- Batching.
 Pipe pigging

UTILITY PIGS
Utility pipeline pigs can be divided into two groups based upon
their fundamental purpose:

Cleaning Pigs
which are used to remove solid or semi-solid deposits or debris
from the pipeline.

Sealing Pigs
which are used to provide a good seal in order to either sweep
liquids from the line, or provide an interface between two
dissimilar products within the pipeline.
Within these two groups, a further subdivision can be made to
differentiate among the various types or forms of pigs:
Types of conventional pigs

Cleaning Pigs
Cleans the pipeline by removing solid or semi solid deposits or
debris.
Examples - Mandrel pigs, foam pigs, solid cast pigs, spheres etc.

Sealing Pigs
Provides a good seal in order to sweep liquids or acts as an
interface between two dissimilar products in the same pipeline
Examples - Mandrel pigs, foam pigs, solid cast pigs, spheres
 Pipe pigging

UTILITY PIGS
• Mandrel pigs
which have a central body tube, or mandrel, and various components which
can be assembled onto the mandrel to configure a pig for a specific duty;

• Foam pigs
which are molded from polyurethane foam with various configurations of
solid polyurethane strips and/or abrasive materials permanently bonded to
them;

• Solid cast pigs

which are moulded in one piece, usually from polyurethane, and;

• Spherical pigs or spheres

which are of either a solid composition or inflated to their optimum diameter
with glycol and/or water.
 Mandrill pig Solid Cast pig

Scraper mandrill pigs Solid cast pigs

 Pipe pigging

GEOMETRY PIGS
A geometry / caliper pig is a configuration pig designed to
record conditions, such as
 dents
 wrinkles
 ovality
 bend radius
 angle
Occasionally indications of significant internal corrosion is
recorded by making measurements of the inside surface of
the pipe.
 De-waxing pig
Foam pigs

Magnetic Flux leakage pig Ultrasonic corrosion

detection tool
Intelligent Pigs
Gives the information on the condition of
pipeline as well as extent and location of
any problem in the pipeline

Functions
- Diameter/ Geometry measurement
- Curvature monitoring
- Temperature/pressure monitoring
- Bend measurement
- Metal Loss/Corrosion Detection
Types of intelligent pigging

 Photographic inspection Pigs

 Crack Detection Pigs
 Wax Deposition Detection Pigs
 Leak Detection Pigs
 Product Sampling Pigs
 Sampling Pig
 Pipe pigging
In Line inspection Tools / Smart / intelligent Pigs

In Line Inspection provides information on the condition of the pipe and/or its contents. With few
exceptions, the In Line Inspection Tool itself is simply the tool which gathers the data, which is
then analysed by the engineers and technicians to determine and report on the condition of the
line.

Although the two most common requirements are for geometry/diameter measurement and for
metal-loss/corrosion devices, the information which can be provided by these intelligent pigs
covers a much wider range of inspection and troubleshooting needs which include:

 Diameter / geometry measurements;  Photographic inspection;

 Curvature monitoring;  Crack detection;
 Pipeline profile;  Wax deposition measurement;
 Temperature / pressure recording;  Leak detection;
 Bend measurement;  Product sampling, and;
 Metal-loss / corrosion detection;  Mapping.
 Multi-channel Magnetic flux detection
caliper pig pig

Geometric inspection Dual diameter caliper

tool
 Types of intelligent pigging

Geometry Pigs
(eg.-Kaliper Pig, Electronic Gauging Pig, Cal Pig, Geo Control Pig,
Deformation survey tool)

Curvature Monitoring Pigs

(eg.Gyrosystem, Inertial geometry Pig)

Pressure & Temperature Recording Pigs

 Types of intelligent pigging

Bend measurement Pigs

(eg. Bend Locator)

Metal Loss Corrosion Detection Pigs

Magnetic Flux Pigs (eg. Linalog, Magnescan,Corrocontrol
Corrosion detection system, Pipeline corrosion surveyor)

UltrasonicPigs
(eg Ultrascan, Microprobe, RPITT, Flow sonic)
Ultrasonic crack detection tool
 Pipe pigging

PLUGS
A plug is a specialist pig that can be used to isolate a section of pipeline at
pressure while some remedial work is undertaken.
The plugs can withstand pressures up to 200 bars typically.
The plug works by gripping into the line pipe and then having a separate
sealing system.
Lower pressure techniques include High Friction pigs, which provide a barrier
for de- pressurised systems.
High pressure plug pig
 Pipe pigging
GEL PIGS
Gel pigs are a series of gelled liquid systems which have been developed for
use in pipeline operations, either during initial commissioning, or as a part of
a continuing maintenance program.
Most pipeline gels are water-based, but a range of chemicals, solvents, and
even acids can be gelled. Some chemicals can be gelled as the bulk liquid and
others only diluted in a carrier.
Gelled diesel is commonly used as a carrier of corrosion inhibitor in gas lines.

There are four main types of gel that are used in pipeline applications:
 Batching, or separator gel
 Debris pickup gel
 Hydrocarbon gel
 Dehydrating gel
Gel pig
 Pipe pigging
GEL PIGS
As a liquid, although highly viscous, the gel can be pumped through any line
which will accept liquids.
Gel pigs can be used alone (in liquid lines), in place of batching pigs, or in
conjunction with various types of conventional pigs.
When used with conventional pigs, gelled pigs can improve overall
performance while almost eliminating the risk of sticking a pig.

Gel pigs do not wear out in service like conventional pigs.

They can, however, be susceptible to dilution and gas cutting.
Care must be taken, therefore, when designing a pig train that incorporates
gel pigs to minimize fluid bypass of the pigs, and to place a conventional pig at
the back of the train when displacing with gas.
 Pipe pigging
The principle pipeline applications for gel pigs are as follows:

 Product separation  Condensate removal from gas lines

 Debris removal  Inhibitor and biocide laydown
 Line filling/hydrotesting  Special chemical treatment
 Dewatering and drying  Removal of stuck pigs

Specially formulated gels have also been used to seal valves during
hydrostatic testing. Gels have been developed with a controlled gellation
time and a controlled viscosity for temporary pipeline isolation purposes.
 Pipe pigging

PIG TRAPS/LAUNCHERS/RECEIVERS
Pig traps are used for inserting pigs into a pipeline then launching, receiving,
and finally removing them without flow interruption.

Pig traps are not generally proprietary products and are usually made to a
specification drawn up by the user. However, pig trap closures are proprietary
products and form a critically important part of a pigging system.

Safety is a major consideration in the selection of a closure.

All closures must have a built-in safety lock which prevents them being opened
while the trap is pressurised.
Debris being received in pig receiver
Pig receiver & launcher arrangement
Thanks