Pipeline Pigging Incident

Dave Shepherd

Aug, 2005

© Chevron 2005 DOC ID

 What is a Pipeline Pig?

Used to clean or inspect pipelines

that are in service.

Commonly used for:

 Paraffin removal

 Corrosion Inhibition

 Pipeline Suspension

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 Background
 Two workers were attempting to remove a pig from a line
that was launched the previous day.
 Found pig was stuck in reducer section but cleared block
valve so valve could be closed.
 After depressuring pig receiver and opening it to
atmosphere, both workers believed energy had been
removed. Pig had to be pulled into pig receiver through
the reducer to remove so they fashioned a hook from
some ss tubing.

Open to Atmosphere

Receiver Reducer Ball Valve

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 Incident
 When worker hooked onto pig, the pig shot out and
struck him in the nose resulting in major facial
injuries.

 Apparently, part of the pig created a seal with a

weld in the reducer section, which created a
pressure trap behind the pig.

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 Injured Worker

July 27, 2005 August 1, 2005

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 Facial Reconstruction
 8 hour procedure

 7 plates (Titanium and Stainless Steel) used to

reconstruct nose, eye sockets, and cheekbones.

 Held together with 39 screws.

 Jaw wired shut 2 – 4 weeks.

 Expected to make full recovery.

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 Other Factors
 Safety glasses were not damaged but covered in oil and
water. Likely prevented any chemical damage to eyes.

 Trapped pressure was just high enough to create a seal

but too low to move pig on its own. If pressure was
lower or higher, incident would not have occurred.

 Root cause was in hazard recognition. Neither worker

considered any pressure existed since the pipe was open
to atmosphere.

© Chevron 2005 DOC ID 7