BG Technical Limited and Pipeline Pigs and Accessories Limited are Nigerian indigenous pipeline companies with global expertise. In an explicit and apt keynote presentation at the just-concluded Nigeria International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference 2024, the companies highlighted their unique and innovative prowess in solving critical pipeline challenges in the oil and gas sector, as stated below.

WEIGHT OF THE PIGS

Challenge: Large-diameter pigs are heavier and bulkier, requiring specialized equipment for handling, launching, and receiving.

Impact: Increased logistical complexity in loading and unloading pigs into the pipeline.

BGT Approach: Use of automated pig launching systems (Pig loading tool) and robust handling equipment

ALIGNMENT AND CENTERING

Challenge: Maintaining the alignment of the pig in the pipeline can be difficult due to the pig's weight and size, potentially leading to uneven wear or the pig becoming stuck.

Impact: Can cause damage to the pig , cause bypass around the, delay operations

BGT Approach: We work with PPA to design pigs with adjustable cups, discs, or wheels to ensure proper alignment and contact

PRESSURE AND FLOW REQUIREMENT

Challenge: Large-diameter pipelines require higher flow rates and pressures to propel pigs effectively.

Flowrate, Q= V/t, where V=volume, and t=time, also Q= Av, where A=cross sectional area, and v= velocity. Bernoulli's principle states that Pump head is inversely proportional to flowrate (Pipeline volume is a function of cross sectional area, A and pipeline Length,d.)

Impact: Insufficient pressure or flow can cause the pig to stall, leading to operational downtime.

BGT Approach: Good engineering, deploy high capacity pumps and compressors.

DEBRIS AND DEPOSITS ACCUMULATION

Challenge: Larger diameters allow for significant debris accumulation, which can overload cleaning pigs or cause them to become stuck.

Impact: Reduces pigging efficiency and increases the risk of operational issues.

BGT Approach: Conduct pre-cleaning runs and use debris-trapping pigs to clear the line in stages (adopt progressive pigging technique)

PIPELINE BENDS AND GEOMETRY

Challenge: Large-diameter pipelines often have wide-radius bends or variable geometries that can complicate pig navigation.

Impact: May cause pigs to lose contact with the pipe wall or become jammed.

BGT Approach: Design flexible pigs with articulated bodies or wheels to navigate varying geometries

ACCESS AND LAUNCH/RECEIVE FACILITY DESIGN

Challenge: Facilities for launching and receiving pigs must be larger and more robust for large-diameter pipelines.

Impact: Retrofits or construction of suitable facilities can be costly and time-intensive.

BGT Approach: Plan and construct specialized pig traps and handling systems during pipeline design.

DATA COLLECTION AND INSPECTION COMPLEXITY

Challenge: Intelligent pigs (e.g., for corrosion or integrity monitoring) must accommodate larger sensor arrays and process vast amounts of data in large-diameter pipelines.

Impact: More complex data analysis and higher equipment costs.

BGT Approach: Linalog and other inspection tool employ advanced sensor technology and software designed for high-resolution data collection in large pipelines

DATA COLLECTION AND INSPECTION COMPLEXITY

Challenge: Intelligent pigs (e.g., for corrosion or integrity monitoring) must accommodate larger sensor arrays and process vast amounts of data in large-diameter pipelines.

Impact: More complex data analysis and higher equipment costs.

BGT Approach: Linalog and other inspection tool employ advanced sensor technology and software designed for high-resolution data collection in large pipelines

STALLING AND RETRIEVAL RISKS

Challenge: A stalled pig in a large-diameter pipeline requires significant effort and resources to retrieve.

Impact: Prolonged downtime and operational disruptions.

BGT Approach: A good pig design, and project design to ensure good flowrate, Monitor pigging operations in real-time and use tracking systems to identify and address issues promptly. The linalog MFL and deformation tool can navigate through 1.5D bend radius.