Pipeline Pre-Commissioning Procedure

Figure 1: Typical Pigging Launcher Arrangement

LAUNCHING PROCEDURE

1. Check that the launcher barrel is isolated.
2. Close Trap Valve (9) and Kicker Valve (10) and associated valves (where installed) and bleed through the bleeder valves.
3. Open Vent Valve (2) on launcher barrel and check pressure in the barrel on pressure indicators P1 (1b) and (1c).
4. Open Drain Valve (3) on launcher barrel.
5. When launcher barrel is fully depressurised and drained, release the safety locking device on the launcher barrel trap closure door.
6. Open the launcher barrel trap closure door.
7. Check that the barrel is clean.
8. Insert the pig and pushed it as far as possible (pass the kicker line outlet) using the pig probe.
9. Close and bolt up the launcher barrel trap closure door and secure the security device.
10. Set the pig signaller XI (6a) and (6b).
11. Close the drain valves (3) on the launcher barrel.
12. Close the bleed valve on the kicker line.
13. Open the block valve (10) on the kicker line.
14. Slowly crack open the kicker valve (10) to fill up and equalise the line.
15. Close vent valve when launcher barrel is filled and equalised.
16. Fully open kicker valve (10).
17. Close the bleed valve between the trap valve (9) and block valve (9).
18. Fully open the block valve (9) and trap valve (9).
19. Close the isolation valve (8).
20. Product in line will force the pig into the barrel. The pig will trigger and trip the pig signallers XI(6a) and (6b), which will indicate the pig has gone through the launcher and on its way to the receiver.
21. Fully open the isolation valve.
22. Close the Kicker Valve (10) and the Trap Valve (9).
23. Depressurize the launcher barrel using Drain Valves (3).
24. When fully depressurised and drained, close Vent Valve (2) and Drain Valve (3).
25. Leave the launcher barrel isolated.
26. Inform the receiving party of the successful launch.

RECEIVING AND RETRIEVING PROCEDURE

1. Close Drain Valve (3) and open Vent Valve (2) on the receiver barrel.
2. Open Block Valve (12) and crack open bypass valve (12) to fill up and equalise pressure in the receiver barrel.
3. Close vent valves (2) and check pressure in the barrel on pressure indicators P1 (1b) and (1c).
4. Fully open block valve and trap valve (9).
5. Fully open bypass valve (12).
6. Close isolation valve (8).
7. Set pig signallers XI (6a) and (6b).
8. Receiver barrel ready to receive the pig. Tripping the signaller will indicate that the pig has already arrived in the receiver.
   
9. Fully open isolation valve (8).
10. Close trap valve (9) and bleed off pressure in the receiver barrel. Monitor on pressure indicator P1 (1b) and (1c).
11. Drain the content in the receiver barrel through drain valve (3).
12. When the receiver barrel is fully depressurized and drained, release the safety locking device on the receiver barrel trap closure door.
    
13. Check and remove debris for safe disposal.
14. Remove and check pig for any peculiarity.
15. Close the drain valves (3) and the vent valves (2) on the receiver barrel.
16. Leave the barrel isolated.
17. Inform and report successful retrieval and finding to the Focal Point.