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Pipeline Pigging 101

On-Demand Training:
Pipeline Pigging 101

Recorded: February 24, 2026

Overview Agenda Instructors
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Whether you are just starting out in the industry or looking to refine your existing knowledge, Pipeline Pigging 101 will share the necessary skills and insights to keep your pipeline systems operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards. This online course provides a thorough introduction to modern pigging practices along with an overview of key pigging concepts including:

  • Pig selection and functionality – Learn how to choose the right pig for the job, whether it is for cleaning, batching, gauging, or inspection.
  • Pig tracking and monitoring – Explore current technologies and methods used to accurately monitor pig movement and location.
  • Troubleshooting stuck or stalled pigs – Discover common causes and practical solutions to minimize downtime and risk.
  • Developing an effective pigging program – Get strategies for building and optimizing a pigging plan that aligns with your system’s needs and operational goals.

Through real-world examples and actionable takeaways, you will learn how to apply pigging techniques effectively whether you are an engineer, operator, technician, or involved in other aspects of pipeline operations or maintenance.

Register today and take the first step toward mastering one of the most critical aspects of pipeline integrity and performance. Whether you are cleaning, inspecting, or maintaining a pipeline – Effective pigging starts here.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify what pipeline pigging is and why it is essential
  • Assess the right pig based on product type, line diameter, flow rate, and operational goals
  • Recognize the causes of pigging failures and apply proven techniques to avoid them
  • Examine the full pigging process—From preparation to execution
  • Evaluate pipeline configurations and perform pigging modifications when necessary
  • Estimate flow and pressure requirements needed to safely propel pigs through a pipeline
  • Recognize and respond to common pigging challenges, including stuck or lost pigs
  • Evaluate cost considerations and justify the ROI of a strategic pigging program
  • Review how pipeline pigging supports regulatory compliance and system integrity
  • Apply best practices to schedule pigging operations efficiently

Register

This is a recorded session - no instructor interaction is available. Recordings do not qualify for continuing education credits. Recordings will expire 30 days from date of purchase and sharing, downloading or copying of the recording in any way is strictly prohibited and will result in the termination of your license.

PURCHASE THIS RECORDING:

Recording license(s)$ 995.00 each

Agenda

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In & Welcome

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Pipeline Pigging – Overview and Why It Is Necessary

A foundational look at what pigging is, why it matters, and how it supports safe and efficient pipeline operations. This session sets the stage for understanding how pigs fit into the larger scope of pipeline integrity management.

  • The origin of the term “pig” and how pigging evolved
  • Why pigging is critical for modern pipeline systems
  • Overview of pig manufacturers and how pigs are built
  • Types of pigs and their primary applications (cleaning, batching, inspection, gauging)
10:00 - 11:00 AM

Pig Selection & Functionality

Explore how to select the right pig for your system. We will break down how different pigs perform in various environments, and what considerations are essential when planning a pigging task.

  • In-line pigs: Foam, cup, disc, and combination pigs
  • Selecting pigs for cleaning, separating products, or inspecting
  • How Caliper, Magnetic Flux Leakage, Ultrasonic and EMAT tool function, advantages, and disadvantages
  • Pig sizing basics, multi-diameter tools, wire line, unpiggable robotic tools,
11:00 - 11:15 AM

Morning Break

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

Pigging Operations Examined – From Start to Finish

Get a detailed look into how pigging systems operate, including launcher and receiver components, safety mechanisms, and pipeline design considerations to enable safe pigging.

  • Anatomy and function of a pig launcher and receiver
  • Launching and receiving procedures – Step-by-step
  • Isolation, venting, and depressurization during operations
  • Key design elements that make pipelines “piggable”
  • Safety protocols and pressure considerations
12:30 - 1:30 PM

Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Operational Challenges & Troubleshooting

Not every pig project goes smoothly. This session covers what can go wrong, how to detect issues quickly, and strategies to recover from common pigging problems with minimal downtime.

  • Causes of stuck or stalled pigs
  • Tools and methods for tracking progress, locating lost or stuck pigs
  • Techniques and technologies for pig retrieval
  • Maintaining appropriate flow and pressure to support pig travel
  • Strategies for success
2:30 - 3:30 PM

Frequency, Cost, & Best Practices

Discover how to develop a proactive pigging schedule that fits your pipeline’s operational profile, see how to measure the ROI of pigging and review industry best practices.

  • Determining how often to pig based on product, flow, and pipeline & regulation history
  • Maintenance planning: Reactive vs. proactive pigging
  • Industry guidelines and case comparisons for frequency and scheduling
  • How pigging ties into regulatory compliance and integrity assessment inspection cycles
3:30 - 3:45 PM

Afternoon Break

3:45 - 4:30 PM

Case Studies and Q&A

Wrap up the day with real-world pigging scenarios, what went right, what went wrong, and key lessons learned. Get answers to your questions and see how they relate to your own pipeline systems.

  • Case studies from crude oil, gas, and multiphase systems
  • Troubleshooting examples and operational takeaways
  • Open Q&A

Instructor

Keith Leewis brings over forty years of extensive and comprehensive experience in pipeline safety: in engineering, design, materials, operations, inspections, risk, integrity, and safety management, to the operations and engineering sectors of the energy industry. Dr. Leewis provides technical assessments that assist clients in achieving comprehensive and timely regulatory approvals. As an active ASME committee executive member, he improves the international standards for the design and integrity management of energy pipelines, including those API & NACE standards related to integrity assessment. In prior years, Dr. Leewis was a tenured professor - TUNS, Director of Technology - Welding Institute of Canada, Project R&D Manager - PRCI, GTI & GRI, Senior Engineer - TCPL, and an R&D engineer – DOFASCO.

Keith Gordon Leewis Ph.D. P.Eng.

President, Chief Engineer & Risk Consultant

Leewis & Associates Inc.