Ice Pigging for the oil industry

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What is Ice Pigging?It can be applied where the risk of a solid pig becoming stuck is unacceptable, or where the topology of the pipeline limits the use of a solid pig.

The ice used in Ice Pigging is capable of navigating bends, changes in diameter, butterfly valves and obstructions that may otherwise render the pipe work unpiggable. If the ice ever did become stuck within the line it will eventually melt.

Ice Pigging can be used in pipe diameters ranging from 50mm (2”) all the way up to 700mm (28”) and can also be applied in hot climates. The technique is best suited for pipe runs up to approximately 10km and is extremely suited to shorter sections of pipe that have been deemed as ‘unpiggable’.

Ice Pigging is a technique that uses a very thick ice slurry which can scrape away highly viscous wax deposits from the inside of flow lines and risers.

Ice Pigging for the oil industry

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How does it work? The pigs created in Ice Pigging can be injected via small diameter fittings with 2” injection points being the most common, and they can be formed easily in large diameter pipes without major enabling works.

The pigs that are formed are many times longer than solid pigs, often as long as 500m in length. The ice used is considerably thicker than for other applications due to the viscosity of the contaminants in the pipe to be removed. They work by gradual removal of contaminant. The result being that ‘bulldozing’ and any subsequent risk of blocking is not commonly seen with Ice Pigging.

Step 1: Isolate the pipe to be cleaned.

Step 2: Ice is injected into the pipe until it forms a semi-solid ‘ice pig’.

Step 3: Water is injected into the line to push the ‘ice pig’ along.

Step 4: As the ice travels along the line it scrapes away the debris.

Step 5: Contaminated ice is collected at the ice outlet point and safely disposed of.

PRE ICE PIGGING POST ICE PIGGING

Our ServiceSUEZ produce ice in our local ice factories and deliver this to site using specially designed ice tanks. Where Ice Pigging is required in remote locations, offshore, or away from our ice factories we may procure ice locally and can make “ice-pigging ice” on site. All Ice Pigging operations are carefully monitored by our specialist engineers and using our monitoring system.

Benefits…

Ice can navigate complex pipework.

Improves flow rates of pipeline.

Low risk – if the pig becomes stuck it will simply melt.

Low hazard risk – Ice is non-hazardous to both operators and the environment.

Ice used in oil applications is considerably thicker than for other Ice Pigging applications.

SUEZ Advanced Solutions Ltd, 290 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4SY, United Kingdom

Email: info@ice-pigging.comTel: +44 1454 804040

To find out more about Ice Pigging visit our dedicated website at:

www.ice-pigging.com