Smart Pig

«Smart» and «pig» are not normally 2 words that you hear used together in a sentence, but in the case of oil & natural gas pipeline monitoring they fit perfectly together.

Smart PIGs are intelligent by design and equipped with a battery, a variety of sensors and a GPS system to map data when performing their inspections.

A PIG is inserted into and travels through the length of the pipe collecting data on potential hazards including external and internal defects, corrosion and structural integrity of the pipeline systems.

A key function of PIGs is preventing problems before they happen - for example, identifying early signs of corrosion so that repairs can be made well before a leak can occur.

Smart pigging provides a number of advantages over traditional forms of pipeline inspection:

• It allows pipelines to be cleaned and inspected without having to stop the flow of product
• It also allows the a pipeline to be completely inspected without having to send inspectors down its entire length
• It provides cleaning and inspection services at the same time, saving companies both time and money

Because every pipeline is different, there is not a set schedule for pigging a line, although the quantity of debris collected in a pipeline and the amount of wear and tear on it can increase the frequency of pigging.
Today, pipeline pigging is used during all phases of the life of a pipeline.