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Pigging Operations Fundamentals

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the technical and operational aspects of pipeline pigging. It also provides a programmatic approach to pipeline assessment, maintenance, and monitoring as it relates to pipeline pigging.

The course is both technical and practical. Its primary goal is to present the information in such a manner that participants from all walks of industry will easily be able to understand and apply the concepts and pigging techniques. It will also help the participants make the right decisions for the development of new pipeline pigging systems, the operation of existing systems and in the selection of cleaning pigs and In Line Inspection (ILI) tools. The course details the required follow up from ILI runs in terms of defect disposition and prioritization as well as repair options considering cost efficiencies and regulatory requirements.

Throughout the course, there are practical class exercises to apply the concepts learned to operational case histories in oil, gas, and multiphase pipelines.

The experienced engineer will find an in-depth exploration of pig selection, pigging sequences, preparation for and running an In Line Inspection and above all ensuring safe pigging operations. The new engineer will find an excellent opportunity to learn in a structured and logical sequence of course material as well as from the knowledge and experience of other course participants.

The course includes calculation techniques for making quantitative decisions in the design and development of pipeline pigging programs and pipeline defect assessments. Please bring a calculator.

Audience

This course is designed for:

  1. Personnel who are involved in pipeline operations
  2. Corrosion control staff
  3. Project engineers
  4. Pipeline inspectors
  5. Staff involved in repair or rehabilitation of pipelines
  6. Services providers staff who carry out pipeline pigging

Course objectives

By the end of this course participants will be able to

  • Apply the technical and operational aspects of pipeline pigging process and identify its strategic role in pipeline inspection, integrity assessment and commissioning.
  • Implement the process of pigging during construction and operation of pipelines, utilize the techniques of pigging for general maintenance and repair and identify the procedures of pigging during renovation, rehabilitation, and decommissioning.
  • Recognize the functions of specialist pigs and determine the pig role in pipeline isolation.
  • Identify intelligent pigs and ILI tools, characterize the various types of pigging equipment including its functions and discuss the launch and receive procedures in pipeline pigging.
  • Design and operate a pipeline cleaning program, apply several techniques on troubleshooting stuck pigs, determine the aspects of pigging velocity in liquid and gas lines and employ the methods of cleaning and inspecting unpiggable lines.

Course contents

Day-1

  • Pretest
  • Conventional Pigs: Introduction
  • Conventional Pigs: What is a pig?
  • Why do we conduct pipeline pigging? “Reasons for Pigging”
    1. Classification of conventional pigs (Function – Construction)
    2. Special Pigs
  • Pigging During Operation
  • Pig Traps Configuration (Launcher & Receiver)

Day-2

  • Why do we conduct pipeline cleaning?
    1. Crude oil pipeline cleaning
    2. Condensate Removal
    3. Product Separation (Batching)
    4. Batch Inhibition (Applying Corrosion Inhibitor)
  • Maintenance & Repair Pigging
  • Pipeline Isolation
  • Renovation & Rehabilitation
    1. Gel Pigging
  • Launch & Receive Procedures

Day-3

  • ILI Tools (Intelligent Pigs)
    1. Caliper Tools
    2. MFL ILI Tools
    3. ULTRASONIC ILI Tools
  • ILI of Unpiggable pipelines
  • ILI Reporting
  • Problems, Hazards, and Troubleshooting of Stuck Pigs
  • Posttest