Hello, here’s the first entry in our new blog for pipeline pigging and flow assurance. Hopefully this can develop into a blog for discussion and comment on any issues about this and we look forward to getting comments and questions.

To start the blog off we thought it would be good to look at why pipelines are pigged, so here’s a brief explanation.

Pipelines are pigged to keep pipelines clean and to help make sure that they are operating as efficiently as possible.

When a pipeline is built pigs are used to remove any debris that might have been accidently left in the pipeline. Pigs are also used when the pipeline is tested with water before it goes into service.    

When a pipeline is being used pigging is done to keep the pipewall clean, remove any wax or other deposits that have built up and separate different products that are flowing through the pipeline. Pipelines are also checked for damage, corrosion and cracks and cleaning pigs and intelligent pigs are used to do this.

Pigs are also used for general maintenance and renovation of pipelines and finally when a pipeline is not required anymore it is taken out of service and again it will need to be pigged to remove all product and clean the pipewall.