Trapping Pigs

With the natural gas activity in our area, the term "trapping a pig" takes on a different meaning. We have two natural gas gathering pipelines intersecting on our property  and part of the routine pipeline maintenance involves sending a "pig" through the pipeline to push out condensate (water, sludge and other liguids). The pig is inserted into the pipeline via a "pig launcher" at a valve assembly and the pressure of the gas flow moves the pig along a section of the pipeline until it reaches a "pig trap". The arrival of the pig is signaled by a red pop-up disk on the trap.

Natural gas continues to flow through the pipeline after the pig is caught in the trap. The pig is removed from the trap by opening/closing valves to force the natural gas to by-pass the trap. With the valve to the pig trap closed, a vent valve is opened to reduce the gas pressure (1,100 PSI) in the trap.


Once the gas pressure in the trap is released, a door on the trap can be opened and the pig(s) removed.

The view from above

Google Maps has updated the aerial view of the Rome area again this year with an image that was taken sometime in September. This image shows the new pipeline activity in the neighborhood. Here's a view of our cabin property showing the access road to the valve assembly.



A view of the pipeline valves.



The prior Google Maps image, taken October 2011, showed me working on the lawn at the cabin, the new image shows my pickup truck being driven on the access road.

Pipeline Construction

With the hydrostatic testing of the Wesauking pipeline complete, the frac tanks used for water storage were removed toady.



A crew works on re-installing the check valve (yellow section of pipe) that was removed during the hydrostatic test. The check valve controls the directional flow of gas on the Wesauking Pipeline and prevents gas from flowing the 24 inch Wilmot Pipeline into the 12 inch Wesauking Pipeline.



Workers from Chesapeake monitor the 24 inch "pig launcher" on the Wilmot Pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

Natural gas is flowing in the Wilmot Pipeline. They were pushing a "pig" this afternoon using the pressure of natural gas. The pipeline pressure was over 1,200 PSI.



There is still some more work to do on the Wesauking Pipeline. The Wesauking "pig launcher" is currently not connected to the shut-off valve between it and the Wilmot Pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

Still lots of activity at the pipeline valve site on our property. The crew is cleaning the "Pig Launcher" after it received a cleaning "pig" to remove scale and rust from the 20 inch pipeline.


The cleaning "pig" that was send through the pipeline.



Loading a foam "pig" into the launcher.



Workers check and adjust the pressure in the pipeline to push the "pig".



A worker releases pressure from the pipeline. A light blue stream of compressed air can be seen venting from the top of the pipe.



Workers torque the bolts on a flange.

Pipeline Construction

With the frac tanks full of water, more equipment was brought in for the hydrostatic test of the Wesauking Pipeline.



Workers prepare a large pump to transfer water from the frac tanks to the pipeline.




A large supply of foam "pigs" to clean out the pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

As an excavator hauls the last load of timber mats to the access road, the first frac tank arrives for set up for the hydrostatic testing of the Wesauking Pipeline.



By the end of the day, seven frac tanks had been moved into position at the valve site.



A check valve and shut off valve on the 12 inch valve assembly have been removed and the pipes capped.



View of the valve site and frac tanks.

Pipeline Construction

The 12 inch Wesauking Pipeline valve assembly installation is complete and ready for hydrostatic testing. In the background a dozer works to create a staging area for the water storage tanks needed for the hydrostatic test.



An excavator moves a stack of 12 timber mats to the access road to prepare it for the truck traffic that will haul the water in for the hydrostatic test of the 12 inch pipeline.



View of the three valve assemblies on our property.



Another "pig" was sent through the 24 inch pipeline to remove water from the pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

Wesauking Pipeline
A crew worked on the finial connections of the 12 inch valve/
pig receiver" for the Wesauking Pipeline.



Welding the last sections of the pipeline connection.



Cutting a 45 degree bend for the pipeline tie-in.



The welding and X-ray inspections are complete and once the GPS mapping is done they can start to back fill the trench.



On the west side of Joyce Road, a crew spreads straw on a reseeded area of the pipeline right-of-way on Maureen Brady's property near the wetland area.






Wilmot Pipeline
"Out with the old, in with the new." The supports for the 20 inch "pig launcher" have been removed...


New concrete forms for the new supports.



Filled with concrete.

Pipeline Construction

Today was another busy day of pipeline activity on both pipelines.

Wesauking Pipeline
The 12 inch valve/"pig receiver" assembly was delivered and positioned.




This assembly connects the 12 inch Wesauking Pipeline with the 24 inch Wilmot Pipeline. Since the flow of gas on the Wesauking Pipeline only travels in one direction to this connection, the assembly can only receive "pigs".



On the west side of Joyce Road, the pipeline reclamation of the Wesauking Pipeline on Maureen Brady's property is moving along. The topsoil has been regraded and the crew is busy smoothing out the surface.



Reseeding the pipeline right-of-way section next to our barn.






The wetland area and back field of Maureen Brady's.



Wilmot Pipeline
Th connector between the 20 inch and 24 inch "pig launchers" was installed.





Making some finial adjustments to the position of the 20 inch "pig launcher".

Pipeline Construction

Lots of activity on both pipelines today.

Wilmot Pipeline
With the hydrostatic testing complete on the 24 inch pipeline, the water used during testing was transferred to the 20 inch pipeline by pushing the water with a pipeline "pig". The "pig" was removed from the pipeline by opening the door at the end of the "pig launcher".



Foam pipeline "pigs".



The water that was transferred to the 20 inch pipeline is now being pushed through the pipeline using a "pig" and compressed air.




Wesauking Pipeline
Work started on positioning the supports for the Wesauking Pipeline 12 inch "pig launcher". Once the 12 inch "pig launcher" is installed the finial section of the Wesauking Pipeline can be connected.



The reclamation of the Wesauking Pipeline right-of-way is moving along with most of the reseeding complete on the east side of Joyce Road.







A crew spreading straw over the reseeded area.