Intelligent Pipeline Pigging

TAZAMA has been carrying out routine maintenance of the pigging stations. A pigging station is a facility that is used as a cleaning station for maintaining the content the pipeline using a Pig. In view of this, TAZAMA has been carrying out phased pipeline repairs in order to enhance the integrity of the pipeline as well as improve the capacity.

TAZAMA uses intelligent pigging to detect any damage to the pipeline and this exercise costs TAZAMA over 2 million U.S dollar every five years. The intelligent pigging exercise was last carried out in 2013 in order to establish the extent of corrosion in the pipeline which led to the definition of scope of works required to be performed on the pipeline to enhance reliability and reduce losses due to leaks. Based on the intelligent pigging results all weak areas which had metal losses above 60% were sleeved and replaced. These repair works  greatly reduced losses due to leakages and improved our pumping rate from 100m³/hr to 115m³/hr i.e. 800,000 MT per year.