Oil-Soluble Pipeline Cleaning Chemical Enables Successful Intelligent Pig Run

Benefits

• Removal of significant amounts of solids from the system, along with grease and oil
• Effective cleaning program ensured a successful intelligent pig run and maximized value to the overall operation

Background

Three gas pipelines in Southern Louisiana had been in continuous service for many years without having been aggressively pigged or cleaned. The three pipelines ran parallel with one another, were comprised of a 24-inch line and two 30-inch lines, and were each 64 miles long.

Clariant Oil Services was contacted by the operator to develop an effective pipeline cleaning chemical treatment program. However, as the pipeline receiving stations were not designed to receive a large volume of liquids, classic, aqueous-based pipeline cleaning chemicals would not have been suitable for this operation.

Clariant Oil Services Solutions and Value Delivered

Clariant Oil Services developed SURFTREAT 9286, an oil-soluble cleaning product, specifically formulated for application in pipeline cleaning operations. The mode of action is as a degreaser and dispersant, and it is often used as part of a combination biocide or scale removal treatment to gain better access to the surface that requires treatment. Additionally, SURFTREAT 9286 has a deodorizing component to remove unpleasant odors.

The cleaning chemicals were first required to be dissolved in an aromatic solvent matrix and then pumped into the pipelines in advance of the pig. For each of the three pipelines, a 500-gallon slug of non-aqueous cleaning mixture was used – this was largely composed of aromatic solvent and 10% to 20% of SURFTREAT 9286. The chemical and solvent slug was pushed along the entire length of the pipelines with a series of brush pigs at 10 mph to 12 mph.

Clariant Oil Services’ SURFTREAT 9286 successfully cleaned the pipelines and removed a significant amount of solids, along with grease and oil. The cleaning treatment was so effective that it paved the way for a successful intelligent pig run afterward, maximizing value to the overall operation.

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