STANDARDS PUBLICATION

QP GUIDELINE FOR
SAFETY OF PIGGING FACILITY

DOC NO: QP- GDL-S-031

REVISION 1

CORPORATE HSE SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

 QP GUIDELINE FOR SAFETY OF PIGGING FACILITY

DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page No.

FOREWORD

1.0 OBJECTIVE ……………………………………............................... 4

2.0 SCOPE ………………………………………………………….......... 4

3.0 APPLICATION ………………………………………………............. 4

4.0 TERMINOLOGY …………………………………………….............. 4

4.1 DEFINITIONS …………………………………………….................. 4
4.2 ABBREVIATIONS ……………………………………………............ 5

5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS……………….................................... 5

6.0 HSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PIGGING FACILITIES.................... 5

6.1 GENERAL...................................................................................... 5
6.2 SAFETY OF RECEIVERS/LAUNCHERS...................................... 5

7.0 APPENDICES................................................................................. 7
7.1 APPENDIX I TYPICAL LAUNCHER/RECEIVER
ARRANGEMENT.......................................................................... 7
7.2 APPENDIX II (INFORMATIVE) REFERENCES.............................. 8

REVISION HISTORY LOG …………..……................................... 9

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

FOREWORD

This document has been developed by Corporate HSE Support Department, reviewed by
Corporate Quality and Management System Department and circulated for review by user
departments before endorsed by QP Management for use as a Guideline for safety of Pigging
Facility.

This document is published for QP Departments/ Contractors/ Consultants utilisation. It should

be emphasised that the document is be used for QP operations wherever applicable and
appropriate, any proposed deviation from this document shall be submitted to HSE department
with a request for dispensation.

The document in its present form reflects as far as possible the current QP requirements taking
into account the known available industry practices and the applicable latest national and
international codes and standards.

This document is subjected to periodical review to re-affirm its adequacy or to conform to any
changes in the corporate requirements or to include new developments on its subject.

It is recognised that there will be cases where addenda, data sheets, or other clarifications need
to be attached to the standard to suit a specific application or service environment. As such, the
content of the document shall not be changed or re-edited by any user (QP or its contractors,
suppliers, agents, etc.), but any addenda or clarifications entailing major changes shall be
brought to the attention of the Custodian and QA Departments.

The Custodian of this document is Corporate HSE Support Department. Therefore, all
comments, views, recommendations, etc on this document shall be forwarded to the same and
copied to Manager, Corporate Quality & Management Systems Department (QA).

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

1.0 OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this guideline is to identify the essential safety features
required by QP on both launchers and receivers.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 This document presents QP’s guideline related to the prevention, control and mitigation
of hazards associated with pigging facilities.

2.2 It covers the essential design features requirements to be provided to a launcher/

receiver in order to enable pigging operation to be managed with acceptable risk to
operators and plant.

2.3 It is not a comprehensive design manual and it does not identify the operational
procedure for launching and receiving; Appendix (I) provides the relevant OPGs
references.

3.0 APPLICATION

3.1 This document is applicable for onshore as well as offshore pigging facilities.

3.2 It provides the safety basis for designing new pigging facilities or reviewing existing
facilities and for the subsequent definition of all modifications with regards to pigging
facilities to bring the facilities up to the standard established by this document.

3.3 In general the level of protection advocated by this guideline shall be regarded as the
minimum.

4.0 TERMINOLOGY

4.1 DEFINITIONS

Pig - A device that can be propelled through a pipeline by fluid flow

and is normally used for cleaning, batching, inspection or
other activities.
Pigging - 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.
Pig launcher - A pig trap for launching pigs.
Pig receiver A pig trap for receiving pigs.
Pig Traps - Pig launchers and receivers.
Pyrophoric scale - The word "pyrophoric" is derived from the Greek for "fire-
bearing". "pyrophoric material" means any material igniting
spontaneously or burning spontaneously in air when rubbed,
scratched, or struck, e.g. finely divided metals. Iron sulfide

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

is one such pyrophoric material that oxidizes exothermically

when exposed to air.

Tell-tale - warning device which will alarm the operator in case of

pressurization of the barrel.

4.2 ABBREVIATIONS

OPG Operating Procedure Guidance

QP Qatar Petroleum

5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS

5.1 Engineering standards for pig trap design:

ES.5.13.0013 Standard data sheet format for Pig launcher; Revision A’

ES.5.13.0014 Standard data sheet format for Pig receiver; Revision A’
ES.5.06.0018 Pig trap selection design and fabrication; Revision B’

5.2 In the event of conflict between this document and the standards / codes referenced
herein or other purchase or contractual requirements, the most stringent requirement shall
apply. Apply to the Custodian Department for guidance or direction.

6.0 HSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PIGGING FACILITY

6.1 GENERAL

This guideline is identifying the essential safety features required by QP on both

launchers and receivers. It does not identify the operational procedure for launching
and receiving; this can be explained by the relevant OPGs.
Pigging flow-lines and pipelines is a non-routine operation which involves various
hazards as follows:
a. Heavy Lifts
b. Chemical handling
c. Trapped pressure
d. Pyrophoric deposit
e. Toxic and flammable gases exposure to personnel

6.2 SAFETY OF RECEIVERS/LAUNCHERS

It is essential that certain design features are provided to a receiver/ launcher in order
to enable the pigging operation to be managed with acceptable risk to operators and
plant.

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

The following safety features shall be provided to all receivers/launchers (see Appendix
I for Typical Launcher/Receiver Arrangement):
a) Pressure gauges on the barrel - shall be positioned, one close to pipeline and one
close to the door closure, this gauge shall be a low range gauge provided with over
range protection clearly visible from the door. This is to allow the operator to
ensure that the barrel has been fully depressurized.
b) Vents - vents shall be provided to flare and to atmosphere.
c) Drains -drains, front and rear, shall be provided to enable the barrel to be fully
drained. The drains shall be piped to the closed drain system.
d) Drip tray /Collection pit - a collection device shall be provided to ensure that any
discharge from the door shall be safely contained.
e) The Barrel shall be provided with a nitrogen purge connection
f) All valves marked star (*) shall be interlocked to ensure they are correctly
positioned to prevent the door from being opened unless securely isolated from HP
hydrocarbon system and the vessel is depressurized.
g) The door shall be provided with a pressure tell-tale bolt and pressure locking
devices.
h) The barrel of launchers shall have a 5 degree slope falling from door to throat. The
barrel of receivers shall have a 5 degree slope falling from throat to door.
i) An impact wall shall be provided at a point approximately 7 meters behind the door
closure. This distance allows adequate access for operation and maintenance
while still providing a barrier to the trajectory path of any missile (*A).
j) The launcher/ receiver shall be located on and anchored to hard standing.
k) A water hydrant utility station shall be located adjacent to the launcher/ receiver,
primarily to enable protection against ignition of pyrophoric scale.
l) The launcher/ receiver hazardous area classification shall be as per IP part 15
latest revision.
m) For Pig trap selection, design and fabrication details refer to ES.5.06.0018,
ES.5.03.0013 & ES.5.13.0014.
n) For operating procedure for pigging for all regions within QP, see references which
mentioned in appendix II.
Note:
(*A) Where the impact wall is not possible as on Offshore Production Stations (PS), pig
launchers/ receivers shall be oriented with their end closures pointing away from
personnel and critical items of equipment.
Accidents have occurred in the industry resulting in door failure and pig exiting the pig trap
at high speed.

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

7.0 APPENDICES

7.1 APPENDIX I – TYPICAL LAUNCHER/RECEIVER ARRANGEMENT

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7.2 APPENDIX II - (Informative) OPG REFERENCES

a) OPG for Offshore (PS-2, PS3 and Halul):

QPR-PDO-P44 ‘Sphering/ pigging of vapour lines.
WI-OPS-004 ‘Receiving a pig from PS-3 20” main oil line.
WI-OPS-001 ‘Launching a pig into 14”main oil line from PS-2 to Halul’.
WI-OPS-002 ‘Receiving a pig from PS-2 14” main oil line’.
WI-OPS-003 ‘Launching a pig into 20” main oil line from PS-3 to Halul’.
b) OPG for Offshore PS-4 and Khuff:
OMM-NGN-2-P-004 ‘Gas and condensate export lines pigging procedure’.
OMM-NGD-P-014 ‘Pigging procedure Dukhan field’.
c) OPG for Dukhan:
Operating procedure is taken from Halliburton/ Rosen Contractor Company.

d) OPG for TD:

Operating procedure is taken from ROSEN Contractor Company.

e) IP part 15:
Area Classification code for Installation Handling flammable fluids; latest revision.

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DOC. No. QP-GDL-S-031 Rev. 1

REVISION HISTORY LOG

Revision: 1 Date: 6/06/2010

Reason for Change / Amendment:

Item Revised:
Changes / Amendment:

This guideline is a new document developed to cover the corporate

safety requirements in pigging facility.

Note:

The revision history log shall be updated with each revision of the document. It shall contain a
written audit trail of the reason(s) why the changes/amendments have occurred, what the
changes/amendments were and the date at which the changes/amendments were made.

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