Pigs And Pipelines

One of the most valuable tools in the pipeline industry is the Pipeline Inspection Gauge, or PIG. Pigging has become a verb recognized by everyone in association with pipeline transportation, especially for pipeline companies such as Western Pipeline Corporation. It is important for fuel, energy, and resource providers to keep pipelines clean, safe, and running properly to insure profitability and public health. For this reason, PIGs are extremely important to the pipeline industry.

Pipeline Inspection Gauges have four principle uses. They provide physical separation between different liquids in transport through particular pipelines, and clean pipelines internally. There are also more sophisticated PIGs which are able to perform such tasks as inspecting the interior conditions of pipeline walls through Inline Inspection Tools, and recording geometric information about the pipelines, such as size and position.

PIGs were first developed from straw that was wrapped in wire. Similar to a typical pipe cleaner, these early PIGs were used only for scrubbing pipeline interiors, for the purpose of cleaning. Because of this scrub or scratch motion (while being pulled through the pipe), PIGs produced a shrill squealing noise, thus the name. It was actually not until much later that the descriptive term Pipeline Inspection Gauge was incorporated to fit with the title as an acronym.

Today, there are several different types of PIGs. There are bullet-like PIGs of polyurethane that are pushed through pipeline systems to separate various products, and there are also many varieties of cleaning PIGs. Some of these have wire mesh and others tungsten studs for scrubbing the insides of pipes. Still others come in a polyurethane plastic material. PIGs utilized for pipeline inspection have several of methods of gathering information. Sizing PIGs use notched, rounded, metal plates, which allow parts of the plate to bend when it contacts blockage or restriction. This is one of the simplest forms of inspection PIGs. Smart pigs employ sensors to record scientific data. Using technologies such as ultrasound, Magnetic Flux, and calipers, smart PIGs are able to report accurate data about the conditions and forms of pipeline interiors.

PIGs provide the oil and natural gas pipeline industry with a reliable way of inspecting and maintaining pipelines. Without the squealings of such devices, blockages and hazards would create an amazing amount of turmoil in the industry. The data collected by smart PIGs also helps companies to reevaluate current construction methods and possible advances. As we consider natural gas investments or the safety of people and children near pipeline rights of way, we should recall that PIGs are protecting and serving much more than just pipelines.

About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation

Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.

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