Pig Locating using ID5000 Active Ultrasonic Pig Signaller

The system was used to pinpoint the exact location of a pig in a receiver known to have high quantities of wax present. This wax build up was blocking the receiver and raising concern that the rear of the pig had not cleared the main isolation valve.

As per the image below, the front of the pig was located 4.1m from the Receiver door. A reading was taken behind the pig which confirmed that the line was clear, giving a reading consistent with the ID of the pipeline.

When a reading was taken in front of the pig, the back wall of the pipeline could not be seen giving a reading of 0. Once the receiver door was open it was found that a build up of debris and wax had been collected by the pig and was blocking the signal from the ID5000A transducer.

The results of the OEL survey were corroborated by a later survey conducted by a radiograph of the receiver. 

During the pig location exercise at terminal, OEL was requested to inspect the kicker line for any debris build up.

The kicker line was inspected at 17 different points, each ~0.5m apart. Results are outlined in the below graph.

Data points were taken both horizontally (to determine pipeline diameter) and vertically on the pipe in order to determine the level of debris settled at the bottom of the pipe.

The Kicker line was found to be free of debris for the first 0.5m of the line. Our operator was unable to find a signal at the one metre mark due to lack of access. Large amounts of debris were recorded up until the 5.5m mark whereupon the level of debris was significantly reduced.