An all-too-common occurrence in the pigging industry is a mechanical pig becoming stuck in a pipeline. This can be caused by wax or debris build-up in front of the pig, disc wear on long pipelines, or tight bends along the route.
While backflushing may occasionally free the pig, in many cases a rescue pig is required - introducing the additional risk that the rescue pig may also become stuck. Any resulting mechanical intervention can be extremely costly.
By choosing SANCCUS Gels as the first option, operators can significantly reduce the risk of a rescue effort.
SANCCUS Solutions
SANCCUS M-Gel Pig is a highly flexible, elastic Gel Pig that can be compressed to half its diameter and remain intact. If it encounters a choke point, it will simply shear through it. When a mechanical pig is stuck in an open pipe or at a bend, M-Gel Pig can reach the stuck pig, energize against the pipe wall with the pressure behind it, and re-establish the lost differential pressure, providing enough force to push the pig around tight bends.
For blockages caused by wax buildup, we recommend Atlas Pig. Like M-Gel Pig, it is highly flexible and can easily navigate most wax blockages to reach the stuck pig. Atlas Pig can withstand up to 600barg differential pressure, giving it a strong capability to push the stuck pig through the blockage.
We also offer a range of liquid Pipeline Gels which can be used in the same way. In extremely high-risk situations, such as severe wax accumulation, these should be used before deploying solid Gel Pigs. They provide additional pressure support to help initiate pig movement, and if this is still insufficient, they will simply shear through any available flow path without causing a blockage.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Pipelines Range
Gel technology is very versatile and can be applied anytime during the lifetime of a field from helping to remove hydrotest fluids when commissioning to the bulk removal of hydrocarbons and solids prior to maintenance or when preparing a pipeline for responsible decommissioning.
Aqualift Gel
Aqualift Gel is a non-crosslinked, water-based gel with carefully tailored rheology. Its highly thixotropic behavior provides very high viscosity at low shear, making it exceptional at suspending captured debris. A lower-viscosity version is also available for narrower lines.
Aqualube Gel
Aqualube Gel is a blend of natural polysaccharides in aqueous solution with lubricating properties. It will reduce the friction on a mechanical pig by half on average. A lower-viscosity version is also available for narrower lines.
Aquasurf Gel
AquaSurf Gel is a non-crosslinked water-based gel containing deoiling surfactants. Aquasurf Gel is an excellent combination product for deoiling pipelines where the oil in water requirement is less stringent and avoids having to pump several chemicals in sequence.
Atlas Pig
Atlas Pig is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory used in situations where a mechanical pig cannot be applied. It is also capable of withstanding pressures up to 600 barg for up to 72 hours. This allows Atlas Pig to be installed during pre-commissioning.
Atlas Pig HT
Atlas Pig HTD is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory, capable of withstanding pressures up to 600 barg for up to 72 hours. Storage up to 55°C, maximum working
temperature 75°C.
Atlas Pig HTD
Atlas Pig HTD is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory and added trace dye for improved visibility, capable of withstanding pressures up to 600 barg for up to 72 hours. Designed for use at higher ambient temperatures up to 55°C.
Glycolube Gel
Glycolube Gel is a linear gel made from a blend of natural polysaccharides in a Monoethylene Glycol solution with lubricating properties. It will reduce the friction on a mechanical pig by half on average.
Hyper Gel Pig
Hyper Gel Pig is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory which is specifically designed for use in environments of extreme temperature. This means that Hyper Gel Pig can be applied under extreme pipe conditions and can also be stored in very hot or very cold climates without damage.
Hypergel A
HyperGel A is a flexible silicone gel pig with shape memory which is designed for use in environments where standard gel pigs are not suitable. Due to its composition, it can be used over a wider range of temperatures circa -15 to +110°C.
M-GeL Pig
M-Gel Pig is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory used in situations where a mechanical pig cannot be applied. It is capable of extruding through chokes and restrictions up to 50% of its diameter and returning undamaged to its original size and shape once through.
M-GeL Pig Breaker
M-Gel Pig Breaker is an oxidising agent in liquid solution which chemically attacks the polymer structure of the M-Gel Pig and eventually turns the previously elastic solid pig into a liquid.
M-Gel Pig HT
M-Gel Pig HT is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory, used in situations
where a mechanical pig cannot be applied. Storage up to 55°C, maximum working
temperature 75°C.
M-Gel Pig HTD
M-Gel Pig HTD is a highly flexible gel pig with shape memory and added trace dye for improved visibility, used in situations
where a mechanical pig cannot be applied. Designed for use at higher ambient temperatures between 40°C and 55°C.
Petrolink Gel
Petrolink Gel is an oil based crosslinked pipeline and fracturing gel. It is typically used in pipelines where the presence of water is undesirable due to the risk of hydrate formation or corrosion.
