The problem for designers is that the pipeline and launcher / receiver are usually specified with different design codes or design factors. This usually leads to the minor barrel wall thickness having to be thicker than the pipeline wall thickness it joins to. In some cases, making the minor barrel internal diameter significantly smaller.

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A selection of metal bodied pigs, solid cast pigs and foam pigs

Even in the early 21^st century why is it that pigging is sometimes regarded a medieval black art?

For many years pigging and pigging manufacturers have only slowly moved forward. In a time when technology seems to move on at an ever quicker pace, the pigging industry seems to have had problems with getting some of its clients to use bi-directional disc tools opposed to cup tools.

Why change things?

It may be a case of if it’s not broken then don’t try to fix it, but in a time when most product improvements are jumped upon, the pipeline industry seems to be ultra conservative.

Is it a case of scepticism by the pipeline operators and if so why? Read More & Post Your Comment

“A good tradesman never blames his tools” I remember being told by one of the old boys, after scrapping a job while I was an apprentice, but what happens when you need to dig a ditch and you are only provided with a spoon, the answer  - it takes a long time, is difficult and the end result may not be very good.

What is the answer?

The same can be said for choosing the correct pigging tool for a pigging operation. Too many times a pig is requested based on very limited information and it is only when a problem occurs that suddenly the information may appear. Read more and post your comment

How many times do we see or hear that we need to cut down on this or that to prevent our arteries from furring up that could lead to a blockage with potential fatal consequences.

The same can be said of pipeline systems, although one of the most cost effect remedies may be to fight fire with fire.

Oh no PIGS!

In the past pigging tools have sometimes been viewed with suspicions as a basic description for a pig as given in ‘All about Pigging’ is ‘a moving blockage’.

The past suspicions of having ‘a moving blockage’ in a pipeline and the potential problems that the blockage could cause i.e. the product stops moving and therefore the money stops too; seems to be on the wane and finally operators are coming around to the value of carrying out pigging programmes. read more and post your comment

The year of the PIG?

Pipeline Cleaning Pigs

It would seem that a new era in pigging is unfolding at the present time.

With many pipelines now operating well after their originally planned design lifespan, the use of inspection vehicles to prove their integrity and therefore continue the pipelines safe operational use seems to be on many operators’ agendas. Read more and post your comment