Gel Pigs - Alchemy Oilfield Services
Aqueous and Glycol based Gel Pigs
Alchemy produces a full range of Gel Pigs which can be used either alone, or in combination with conventional pigs, for debris removal, hydrotesting, dewatering, removing stuck traditional pigs, and condensate removal.
These solid Gel pigs are very effective at pipeline pigging, preventing water ingress and creating barriers within a pipeline system. They can be used in a variety of applications including as weld dams during welding operations where atmospheric stability is required.
They are particularly useful in spool pack off where they can be used at both ends of a spool prior to deployment to prevent water ingress and contain other liquids (such as MEG/TEG) within the spool.
Used in combination with our APG or GPG pipeline Gels, they provide an effective pigging system and can be propelled by either gasses or liquids as required.
They are launched in the same way as conventional pigs, either from a launcher, or can be easily inserted into a pipeline through a dropped valve or flange.
For recovery – they can either be recovered normally, or they can be extruded through a much smaller port either topside or subsea, removing the requirement for a pig receiver.
Our pigs are supplied formed in ID matched transit canisters with screw plungers, either with a standard ANSI flange, or matched to your flange requirements.
- GGPP – Glycol Gel Pig
- HT GGPP – High Temperature Glycol Gel Pig
- AGPP 2 – Aqueous Gel Pig
GGPP – Glycol Gel Pipline Pig
Alchemy GGPP (Glycol Gel Pipeline Pig) is a solid gel pig which can be used in temperatures of less than 30 deg C to pig out lines and create temporary barriers for pipelines. The gel pig is manufactured in a former which is sized for the internal diameter of the pipeline. The pig and former are delivered to the pipeline site where the gel pig is inserted into the pipeline. The pig can be propelled with water, methanol, monoethylene glycol or gas. At the end of the pipeline the pig can be removed or sent to the production stream where it will dissolve with heat and low pH. This type of pig is also used to create sections of liquids within pipelines. Alchemy GGPP is resistant to biodegradation and so is ideally suited to projects where the time scale of deployment is not assured. The product is normally stable for up to 6 months in its original packaging. Alchemy GGPP is made in various diameters to suit pipeline requirements.
HT GGPP – High Temperature Glycol Gel Pipeline Pig
Alchemy HTGP (High Temperature Gel Pig) is a solid gel pig which can be used in temperatures of greater than 30 deg C to pig out lines and create temporary barriers for pipelines. Used in similar way to the Glycol Gel Pipeline Pig this Gel Pig system will be stable in temperatures in excess of 50 deg C. The gel pig is manufactured in a former which is sized for the internal diameter of the pipeline. The pig and former are delivered to the pipeline site where the gel pig is inserted into the pipeline. The pig can be propelled with water, methanol, monoethylene glycol or gas. At the end of the pipeline the pig can be removed through a pig trap receiver, small diameter outlets or sent to the production stream where it will dissolve with high temperature. This type of pig is also used to create a pack off to prevent sea water ingress or create sections of liquids within pipelines. Alchemy HTGP is presently being tested for biodegradation in long term tests. Please contact Alchemy for samples and further information on the exciting new development.
AGGP 2 – Aqueous Gel Pipeline Pig
Alchemy AGPP2 (Aqueous Gel Pipeline Pig) is a solid gel pig system. It is used in lines where there is no requirement for hydrate suppression or where the pig will have to degrade within the pipeline system. This gel system is primarily used in oil pipeline applications. The gel is biodegradable so will be less stable and normally is used within 4 weeks of supply. After use the gel will breakdown or can be placed in a production stream where heat and low pH will destroy the gel pig. Alchemy AGPP2 is made in various diameters to suit pipeline requirements and is supplied in a custom built canister to the clients own specification.
