Trapping a Pipeline Pig

The pipeline operations crew was on our property today to trap a "pipeline pig". Part of the routine maintenance of a natural gas pipeline is to remove water, scale and rust from the pipeline using a device called a "pig". The "pipeline pig" is inserted into the pipeline at a valve assembly known as a "pig launcher" and pushed through the pipeline by the pressure of the natural gas until it is caught in the "pig trap" at the other end of the pipeline. With the "pig" in the "trap", valves are positioned to isolate the "pig" in the "trap" section and valves are opened to release the excess pressure in the "trap".



Once the excess pressure has been removed from the "trap" section the door can be opened and the "pig", water and pipeline scale can be removed.



Due to cold weather, the water in the "trap" had turned to ice.