The document discusses offshore pigging in four phases: commissioning, cleaning and displacement, inline inspection, and isolation. Commissioning relies on batching and specialty dewatering pigs. Cleaning and displacement uses pigs to clean pipelines and displace liquids to maximize throughput. Inline inspection uses ultrasonic and magnetic flux leakage technology on pigs to collect integrity data critical for safely operating offshore lines. Isolation systems allow sections of pipelines to be pressure isolated during maintenance while keeping other sections at operating pressure to minimize downtime.

1. As part of the pre-commissioning process
operators rely heavily on flooding, cleaning
and gauging pigs, almost always opting for bi-directional discs (easier to reverse if
needed). Commissioning largely depends on batching and specialty dewatering pigs.
The decommissioning process utilizes both batching and cleaning pigs.
Flooding, Gauging,
Batching, Dewatering
BY THE
NUMBERS
Chemical, Discs,
Cups, Brushes,
Scrapers
Magnetic Flux Leakage
(MFL), Ultrasonic (UT),
Circumferential MFL,
Geometry
Tetherless, Double
Block, Remote-
controlled
Pigging to clean
and displace
liquids is essential to maximize throughput and extend offshore asset life. Clear
communication and planning is key to eliminate waxy buildup, clear debris from
internal pitting, effectively apply corrosion inhibitor and remove water.
Primarily divided between
Ultrasonic (UT) and Magnetic
Flux Leakage (MFL) technology, accurate and timely integrity data are critical to
the safe operation of offshore lines, particularly as these lines are in an often
harsh, high-consequence environment that can be entirely inaccessible to divers.
The purpose of a non-invasive isolation system
is to pressure isolate a section of pipeline during
maintenance, emergency repair or construction, while the rest of the pipeline
remains at operating pressure. The primary advantage of such systems is the
ability to minimize pipeline downtime and reduce lost transmission revenue.
1
2
3
4
COMMISSIONING
CLEANING & DISPLACEMENT
INLINE INSPECTION
ISOLATION
THINGS CAN GET CONFUSING JUST BELOW
THE OCEAN’S SURFACE, but keeping your lines clean and
safe is a clear proposition. Pipeline service providers assist operators
in developing and executing customized pigging programs aimed at
maximizing throughput and increasing operational safety. Although
possibly overwhelming at first glance, these complex programs can be
simplified into just four phases.
OFFSHORE PIGGINGin 4phases