KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006

Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 1 of 10

Pigging Philosophy
Table of Contents
1
Scope
2
Definitions
3
Pig Types and Criteria for Use
3.1
Unidirectional Pigs (for pig runs only one direction)
3.2
Bidirectional Pigs (for pig runs in both directions)
4
Applications for and Approval of Pig Runs for CO2
5
Performing Pig Runs for CO2 (if required by law)
5.1
Preparations
5.2
Performing the pig run
5.3
Initial Analysis of Pig Run
5.4
Pigging Records
6
Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection
6.1
General Safety Requirements
6.2
Instructions for the Removal of Solid and Liquid Material from the Trap
7
Reference Documents

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 2 of 10

Scope
This Guideline applies to utility, mapping and inspection pig runs
conducted on pipelines filled with the operation medium CO2 under
operating pressure.
Due to outstanding experience in pigging CO2 pipelines and undefined
situation of the authority requirements for pigging, this specification
includes a general description about pigging definitions and pig types.
During the project it is necessary to clarify with authorities the
requirement for pigging, find potential pig suppliers and to define a
pigging procedure under all pipeline operation conditions.
This has to be done on basis of the expected / calculated CO2 phases
over the complete operation duration, volume flows and the different
pressure ranges.
When suitable pigs are found, test and investigations have to take place
to ensure that neither the pigs nor the pipeline could be damaged under
all of the expected technical scenarios during the pigging process.
Additionally it has to be checked that all other pipeline equipment, e.g.
valves, are also suitable for the pigging process.
All following mentioned definitions and pig descriptions are based on
information about natural gas pipelines, which do not deviate from the
definitions for CO2 pipelines.
The definitions refer to pipelines prior to and under operation, means
cleaning, measuring, leak detection etc.
How to detect the current pig position during pigging, and some other
special cases, have to be specified during the next steps of the project.

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 3 of 10

Definitions

Acoustic positioning

Detecting the passage of a pig at a control point by

picking up the audible operating noises of the pig (with
and/or without additional equipment).

Calliper pig run

Pig run to check the internal pipe diameter.

Cleaning pig run

Technical process to remove foreign material from

pipelines.

Coordinator

See pig run manager.

Disposal company

Qualified and certified specialist company with the

equipment and expertise required for the safe disposal
of material removed from pipelines and other waste
products collected as part of the pig run.

End closure

Closure/door on the end of the pig trap for opening the

pig trap and to closing it pressure-tight.

Inspection pig run

Technical process to detect the size, type and position

of irregularities on pipelines.

Mapping

Technical process to determine the exact pig run

position of the pipeline.

Marker

Technical equipment to set / define reference points for

both inspection and mapping pig runs.

Pig

Tool with a circular cross-section adapted to the internal

diameter of the pipeline, which is pushed through the

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 4 of 10

pipeline using the operating medium. A pig may consist

of one or several interconnected modules.
Pig insertion and

Mobile equipment used to insert a pig into, and remove

equipment

it from retrieval equipment he pig trap.

Pig run manager

Person who is in charge of the entire pigging project

and at the same time the coordinator according to
Accident-prevention regulation - Prevention Principles.

Pig receiving trap/

Piece of equipment on the pipeline system to receive

pig receiver

and retrieve pigs.

Pigging concept

Document used by Operations to plan pig runs.

Pigging contractor

Qualified and certified specialist company with the

equipment and expertise required for pipeline pigging.

Pigging schedule/

Document used to prepare, carry out and analyse pig

Pigging report

runs.

Pigging speed

Speed (maximum, minimum, average) at which the pig

travels through a pipeline section (measured in m/s).

Pig launching trap/

pig launcher

Piece of equipment on the pipeline system to insert

and launch the pig.

Pig positioning

Determining the position of the pig in the pipeline

section to be pigged (acoustically, electronically, etc.).

Pig positioning unit

Mobile (electronic, acoustic, magnetic) equipment used

to determine the position of the pig.

Pig signaller

Technical equipment installed on the pipeline to indicate

the passage of the pig.

Pig transmitter

Device mounted on the pig to transmit pulses (for

electronic positioning).

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 5 of 10

Pig trap station

Location along the pipeline route featuring one or

several pig traps.

Person in charge

A person nominated by the company, who has overall

responsibility for the safe performance of the work at
site in accordance with occupational health and safety
regulations and applicable codes and standards. This
person is the supervisor at site and has authority to
issue instructions to a team if several staff are involved
in the work.

Receptacle

Mobile container for temporarily collecting the material

removed from the pipeline.

Removed material

Solids and liquids removed from the pipeline.

Section to be pigged

Pipeline section between the pig launcher and the pig

receiver.

Service provider

Contractor commissioned by gas utility for work in

accordance with the applicable codes and standards.

Utility pig run

Technical process to ensure free passage.

Pig Types and Criteria for Use

3.1

Unidirectional Pigs (for pig runs only one direction)

-Separating pig
Pig fitted with cups, or pig fitted with cups and discs to separate media during the
pigging process.
-Cleaning pig
Pig fitted with cups, or pig fitted with cups, brushes and permanent magnets to
remove solid and liquid material from the pipeline.
-Dummy pig
Pig fitted with cups, gauge plates and articulated arms to ensure the free passage of
an inspection pig in a pipeline section to be pigged.
-Inspection pig
Pig fitted with cups, measuring equipment and a storage unit to perform inspection
pig runs.

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 6 of 10

-Calliper pig
Pig fitted with cups or discs and a gauge plate to check the internal diameter of a
pipeline and to ensure free passage.
-Mapping pig
Pig fitted with cups, measuring equipment and a storage unit to determine the exact
position of a pipeline.
3.2

Bidirectional Pigs (for pig runs in both directions)

-Disc-type cleaning pig

Pig fitted with discs, or pig fitted with discs, brushes and permanent magnets to
remove solid and liquid material from the pipeline.
-Foam pig
Pig made of a plastic material with or without a supporting structure.

Applications for and Approval of Pig Runs for CO2

The general requirements for a CO2 piggable pipeline need to be clarified with the
responsible authority.
Pig runs have to be planned, agreed, applied for and approved in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the relevant CO2 utility.
All other applicable codes and standards have to be considered and referenced in
the final pigging specification.

Performing Pig Runs for CO2 (if required by law)

5.1

Preparations

5.1.1

General

The pipeline has been designed and constructed for pigging.

Before each pig run, the main details of the pipeline to be pigged must be collected in
a pipeline questionnaire to check the suitability of the pipeline for the intended pig
runs.
Moreover, a pigging schedule / pigging report and the checklists for the pig traps
must have been prepared.
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 7 of 10

Any changes to the pigging schedule / pigging report either before or during the pig
run must be confirmed by the pig run manager and recorded.
Before the start of the pig run it is important to check that all valves on the pipeline to
be pigged are fully (100 %) open. All bypass lines must be closed.
All piping system control actions and conditions must be specified and recorded for
each station.
Receptacles must be provided at the pig receiver for each pig run to collect the
material removed from the pipeline as the pig is retrieved. Where metal receptacles
are used, equipotential bonding must be guaranteed.
Any plastic receptacles used must be designed to discharge electrostatic charges.
All equipment and facilities which may become electrostatically charged or may have
different potentials and can be connected to the pig trap must be equipotentially
bonded.
All pigs used must have at least one transmitter to allow them to be located.
It is recommended to use a second locating method which is physically independent
from the
first method used and which is particularly suited for locating pigs inside the pig traps.
A datasheet containing the main dimensions and parameters of the pig must be
prepared.
As a rule, it is not permitted to use more than one pig for each pipeline section to be
pigged.
Note:
Wire-brushed pigs must not be used for cleaning pipelines provided with an internal
lining.

5.1.2

Setting the Markers Prior to an Inspection Pig Run

Where possible, markers used for inspection pig runs should be placed along the
pipeline.
5.1.3

Distribution of Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the companies involved in the pig run (e.g. owner, service
providers,
other contractors) and the details of their work must be defined prior to the pig run
and agreed in a contract.
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 8 of 10

In the local manual mode, control will be exclusively performed by controlling

assemblies.
5.1.4

Instructions

The persons in charge must ensure that all personnel involved in the pig run receive
all necessary instructions before the pig run commences.
Apart from all information and the details defined in this document, it is
important to specify and agree system-specific features, location details and
responsibilities at a kick-off meeting.
For repeat pig runs on a given pipeline section, a short briefing together with
appropriate instructions are sufficient if there have been no safety-relevant technical
or technological changes since the first pig run.
All necessary documents must be handed over to the contractor when the contract is
signed.
The Safety Instructions for Contractors issued by the relevant persons are part of the
contract for all companies involved in the pig run.
5.2

Performing the pig run

5.2.1

Pig Run

Pig run performance has to be defined during the next steps of the project. A
sequence has to be developed.
5.2.2

Pig Tracking

The pig run must be monitored at selected control points along the pipeline by
monitoring. A detailed procedure how to monitor especially the offshore part of the
pipeline, has to be defined during the next project phases.
All actions have to be recorded.
5.3
-

Initial Analysis of Pig Run

Report the following details to the relevant parties involved:
Approximate amount of material removed from pipeline
Rough composition of the material removed from pipeline
Condition of pig, especially the cups and/or plates
Average pig travel speed

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 9 of 10

Take samples of material removed from pipeline (to be done by the persons
in charge / the contractor) for analysis, providing the following details:
Date
Place / pipeline number / pipeline section pigged
Area
Pig run manager
Name of person taking the sample

Store the material removed from the pipeline in appropriate containers or

receptacles until the results of the analysis are available; thereafter, ensure
appropriate disposal in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Submit the analysis report to the station manager.

5.4
-

Pigging Records
The pig run manager must complete the pigging schedule / pigging report.
The organisational unit (department) in charge of pig runs must keep the
pigging statistics.

Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection

6.1

General Safety Requirements

Before and during the pig run, the information and instructions provided on an
information sheet must be observed and applied. In addition, all applicable work
instructions must be observed.
Before a pig trap is opened to insert or remove a pig, the pig trap has to be C02-free.
If this is not possible, a special hazard assessment must be performed in accordance
with the Safety Requirements, and appropriate protection measures to be taken must
be defined and documented.
6.2

Instructions for the Removal of Solid and Liquid Material from the
Trap

The removal of material collected in the pipeline from the pig trap must be carried out
using suitable tools.
The material removed from the pipeline must be treated as a substance hazardous to
water. All such material must be disposed of by a certified disposal contractor in
accordance with the relevant Norms.
The receptacles for the material removed from the pig trap must be filled in
accordance to the supplier allowance considering the SHE requirements.
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EEN-PEQ-DPR-0006
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Pigging Philosophy

Page 10 of 10

Suitable containers that may be closed-off (tankers, barrels, etc.) must be used for
transporting or temporarily storing the material where required.
Transportation must comply with the provisions of the Regulation on the Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail and Inland Waterways.

Reference Documents
To be defined later in accordance to Project, BS and European
Standards.

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart men t of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON UK
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall h ave any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.