Pig Stuck by Hot-Tapping

[Jiyool Kwon]

Hi,

I work for a pipeline operating company.

I want to know about pig stuck by hot-tapping.

I wonder if there is pig stuck case by hot-tapping and Solution.

Please answer a lot.

Thank you.

 

[LittleInch]

Depends on the hot tap.

Issues can be - incorrect or no inclusion of bars in the hot tap allowing the pig to divert and get stuck

Machining debris or even the coupon if it fell off the drilling machine.

Solutions? De-pressure / drain the pipeline, take the valve off and have a look!

first try and find your pig.

you're not giving much away in your post so it's difficult to add much more. Search "stuck pig" on this site and there are many other discussions, all end up with the fact that this is an operational catastrophe and is rarely solved by anything other than venting / draining and cutting the pipe to remove it.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[mk3223]

I saw one incident was the pig stuck by a thermowell. The pigging resumed once the thermowell removed. Can the hot-tapping be removed?

 

[Ehzin]

If you say the pig is stuck at a hot tap I'm assuming/hoping you know it's location or have a few possible options of where it could. My pipeline background is limited to just a few miles but considering you work for a pipeline company it's possibly it's anywhere along 500+ miles. If you have an expectation of where it's at, and depending on the type of pig, I would consider x-raying that location. May not give you a solution but could give you an idea of what's causing it to stick and its severity. You may find out real quick that there's no solution aside from removing that section. I wouldn't try any fixes till you see what you're working with.

Thanks,
Ehzin