Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Standardization
Oil and Gas Pipelines Proposed revisions to this Standard shall be submitted to the CONTEC -
Authoring Subcommittee, indicating the alphanumeric identification and revision
of the Standard, the section, subsection and enumerate to be revised, the
proposed text, and technical/economic justification for revision. The proposals
are evaluated during the work for alteration of this Standard.
Introduction
PETROBRAS Technical Standards are prepared by Working Groups - WG
(consisting specialized of Technical Collaborators from Company and its Subsidiaries), are
commented by Company Units and its Subsidiaries, are approved by the Authoring Subcommittees -
SCs (consisting of technicians from the same specialty, representing the various Company Units and
its Subsidiaries), and ratified by the Executive Nucleus (consisting of representatives of the Company
Units and its Subsidiaries). A PETROBRAS Technical Standard is subject to revision at any time by its
Authoring Subcommittee and shall be reviewed every 5 years to be revalidated, revised or cancelled.
PETROBRAS Technical Standards are prepared in accordance with PETROBRAS Technical
Standard N-1. For complete information about PETROBRAS Technical Standards see PETROBRAS
Technical Standards Catalog.
.
PROPERTY OF PETROBRAS 21 pages Index of Revisions and WG
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Foreword
This Standard is the English version (issued in 07/2013) of PETROBRAS N-505 REV. G 03/2013. In
case of doubt, the Portuguese version, which is the valid document for all intents and purposes, shall
be used.
1 Scope
1.1 This Standard establishes the basic dimensions and characteristics for pig launching, receiving
and launching-receiving installations.
1.2 This Standard does not cover the hydraulic and mechanic design of the pipeline installation.
1.3 This Standard does not replace the detailed design of launchers, receivers, and launchers-
receivers, which shall contain the required dimensions for their fabrication and assembly.
1.4 This Standard applies to designs started after the date of issuance of this Standard.
NOTE When replacing any component of an existing installation, it is recommended that the items
of this standard corresponding to this component are applied. It shall be ensured that the
alteration keeps the operability and safety of the assembly. [Recommended Practice]
1.5 For pigging operations, the criteria established in PETROBRAS N-2634 shall be followed.
2 Normative References
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document applies.
ISO 14313 - Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries - Pipeline Transportation Systems -
Pipeline Valves;;
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ASME BPVC Section VIII - Division 1 e 2 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels;
NOTE For documents referred in this Standard and for which only the Portuguese version is
available, the PETROBRAS department that uses this Standard should be consulted for any
information required for the specific application.
For this document purposes, the terms and definitions of PETROBRAS N-2726 are adopted.
4 General Conditions
4.1 It is recommended that the bottom of the trap barrel be 1 m above the operation floor (see
Figure 1). [Recommended Practice]
NOTE The free area between the bottom of the barrel and the operation floor shall be sufficient for
the installation of the fittings for drainage, valves, drain tanks and other accessories.
4.2 For installations running intelligent pigs, a free area shall be provided directly behind the barrel
(see Figure 1), according to the minimum area dimensions indicated in Table 1. For installations that
do not run intelligent pigs, the area dimensions may be reduced as shown in the Notes of Table 1.
Access area
1m
ØA
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Table 1 - Free Area for Intelligent Pig Launchers, Receivers and Launchers-Receivers
NOTE 1 For launchers, receivers and launchers-receivers that do not run intelligent pigs,
dimension “X” shall be 1 500 mm for nominal diameters up to 12” and 2 000 mm for
nominal diameters of 14” and 16”, and dimension “Y” shall be 750 mm.
NOTE 2 Dimension L1 referring to Table A.1 or Table A.2.
4.3 Trap closures shall be of the quick opening type with a hinge or other device able to support the
weight and drive the closure door during the opening or closing and shall be provided with a safety
device to prevent opening while the trap barrel is pressurized. Closures design shall comply with code
ASME BPVC Section VIII - Division 1. The inside diameter of the closure door shall be the same as
the inside diameter of the barrel.
NOTE Alternatively, the quick-opening closure may be designed as per code ASME BPVC
Section VIII - Division 2, as long as the additional information required for this sizing is
known.
4.3.1 It is recommended that the closure shall have a uniform distributed and continuous locking
system along the entire sealing region. [Recommended Practice]
4.3.2 To be considered as quick opening type, the closure shall have an actuation device which
allows the operation to be performed by only a person, in a maximum period of 2 minutes, and without
additional use of any tool besides those supplied or specified by the manufacturer of the closure.
4.3.3 An area corresponding to the radius of action of closure shall be marked on the floor with a
yellow stripe.
4.4 Dimensions for pig launcher, receiver and launcher-receiver shall be in accordance with Tables
A.1 and A.2.
NOTE The sizing of wall thicknesses for pig launcher, receiver and launcher-receiver shall be in
accordance with the applied pipeline design standard.
4.5 A drainage basin shall be provided, positioned according to Figure 2, with volume equal or above
the values indicated in Table 2, corresponding to a percentage of total volume of the launcher,
receiver or launcher-receiver. The depth of the basin shall be at least 100 mm. The basin shall be
covered with a removable grating sized to support the pig weight with its transport device.
NOTE The grating shall allow the operation of drain valves without removing it.
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See note 2
Z See note 3
2Y Drainage basin
ØA
See note 1
NOTE 1 Dimension “Y” referring to Table 1 or its Note, as the case may be.
NOTE 2 Dimension “W“ for Receiver and Launcher-Receiver shall be equal to L1, as per Table A.1 or Table
A.2, and for the Launcher, it shall be o equal to 1.5 times the inside diameter of barrel.
NOTE 3 Dimension “Z” extends up to the barrel block valve
4.6 A line provided of block and throttling valves shall be installed for equalizing the pressure of the
barrel (item 16 of Table A.3). The nominal diameter of the equalizing line shall be 25mm (1”) for
pipelines with nominal diameter up to 150 mm (6”) and 50 mm (2”) for the others.
4.7 Three pressure gauges shall be installed (item 8 of Table A.3), one at the barrel, near the closure,
and the others upstream and downstream the barrel block valve.
4.7.1 Pressure gauges shall be selected in order to allow reading the Normal Pressure of the pipeline
on the second third of the gauge ranges.
4.8 Two atmospheric vents shall be installed, one located upstream and another downstream the
reducer, to allow the appropriate filling, depressurization or drainage of the barrel (item 10 of
Table A.3). In installations requiring aligned vents for closed systems, they shall be additional to
atmospheric ones, as per Figures 3 and A.4.
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4.9 For pigging with intelligent pigs, the launcher, receiver and launcher-receiver shall be provided
with a branch spool with a blocking valve for nitrogen injection, located upstream the blocking of the
atmospheric vent installed near the closure, as per Figures 3 and A.4.
See note 2
Z See note 3
2Y Drainage basin
ØA
See note 1
4.10 A thermal relief valve shall be installed in the barrel for pipelines transporting products with a
liquid phase (item 3 of Table A.3). The discharge end of this relief valve shall be connected to a collect
system or to the pipeline.
NOTE The thermal relief valve may be occasionally replaced by another device with the same
function.
4.11 Barrel reducer for launcher and launcher-receiver traps (item 6 of Table A.3) shall be eccentric,
and shall be concentric for receiver trap (item 6 of Table A.3). Barrel reducer for launcher installed at
vertical position shall be concentric. The maximum slope angle of the reducers shall be 11° (see
Figure 4).
NOTE 1 This reducer shall follow a specific design, since reducers normally used in industrial
installations do not meet the requirements of this Standard. The reducer shall be supplied
according to fabrication criteria of ASME B16.9, MSS SP-75 or an equivalent one, with the
conicity defined in this item.
NOTE 2 The reducer, when fabricated by welded plate, shall have traceable weld quality and its
certificate shall be in the data book.
NOTE 3 The pig receiving basket for launcher-receiver shall be designed considering that the
installation will have an eccentric reducer.
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11° (max.)
Concentric reducer
11° (máx.)
Eccentric reducer
4.12 Pig passage indicators (item 4 of Table A.3) shall be installed at a minimum distance from the
block valve of the barrel, in accordance with dimension o L2 of Tables A.1 and A.2.
NOTE 1 The pig passage indicator shall be able to detect foam pigs, and be installed on the top (the
uppermost point of the circumference) of pipe or side surface.
NOTE 2 Intrusive ultrasonic sensors shall conform to the inner wall of pipeline, so as not to damage
the pig and not to be damaged by it.
NOTE 3 For pipelines transporting liquids only, the pig passage indicator shall be of non-intrusive
active ultrasonic type. [Recommended Practice]
NOTE 4 For pipelines transporting regulated processed gas, the pig passage indicator shall be of
intrusive active ultrasonic type. [Recommended Practice]
NOTE 5 For pipelines transporting raw or treated gas with possibility of condensation or liquid
entrainment, it is recommended the use of non-intrusive acoustic-type indicator.
[Recommended Practice]
4.13 The installation of launchers, receivers and launchers-receivers parallel to the floor (no slope) is
recommended. For installations with space restrictions, the arrangement of superposed or vertical
launchers, receivers and launchers-receivers is allowed. [Recommended Practice]
4.14 Launchers, receivers and launchers-receivers shall have a nameplate in Portuguese informing at
least the following characteristics:
XXX-YYYY.YYZZ
Where:
XXX LP (pig launcher), RP (pig receiver) or LRP (pig launcher-receiver), from
PETROBRAS N-1521;
YYYY.YY from PETROBRAS N-1710, Annex B;
ZZ sequential number of the installation for pig launcher or receiver;
b) manufacturer or contractor;
c) fabrication or assembly year;
d) design standard, mentioning the edition;
e) design pressure;
f) hydrostatic test pressure;
g) maximum and minimum operation temperature.
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4.15 The inside diameter of the barrel of launchers, receivers, and launchers-receivers shall be at
least 89 mm (3 1/2”) larger than the inside diameter of the pipeline.
4.16 Valves with nominal diameter equal or greater than 300 mm (12”) shall be provided with
electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic actuation systems. It is also essential that manual
actuatiors be provided with reducing gear, according to PETROBRAS N-1693.
4.17 The valves (items 5, 12 and 13 of Table A.3) shall be of full bore type, trunnion mounting,
according to API SPEC 6D or ISO 14313. The valve described in item 5 of Table A.3 shall also be of
through-conduit type, according to API SPEC 6D or ISO 14313, and, for any variation between the inside
diameter of the valve and the pipe, the sharp edges shall be beveled with maximum slope of 1:4.
NOTE The type and quantity shall be defined by the design, depending on the product to be
transported and the installation process data.
4.18 By-pass branches in receivers and launchers-receivers and main branches of launchers,
receivers and launchers receivers with diameter of half the nominal diameter of the pipeline or larger
shall be provided with guide bars, according to Figure A.5. For pipelines with variable diameter,
consider the smaller diameter as the nominal diameter.
4.19 By-pass and main branches shall be assembled horizontally (3 or 9 o’clock position) or on the
top of pipe (12 o’clock position). Branches may not be assembled on the bottom of pipe (6 o’clock
position) or in any descending position.
4.20 Intelligent pig launchers and launchers-receivers of pipelines with nominal diameter of 150 mm
(6”) or larger shall have a flanged outlet with nominal diameter of 50 mm (2”) to help loading the pig
into the barrel, using a pulling cable (see item 18 of Table A.3). This outlet shall be installed
horizontally (3 or 9 o’clock position), inclined at 45°, at the location indicated on Figures A.2 and A.3.
NOTE 1 It shall be assured that in the barrel installation area there is no obstacle hampering the use
of the pulling cable through the flanged outlet;
NOTE 2 The pulling cable shall be made of non-metallic material or have a non-metallic coating.
4.21 On the pig running sections, the inside diameter of the section between the barrel reducer and
main branch tee, including fittings, shall not be less than the smaller inside diameter of the pipeline,
nor larger than the larger inside diameter of the pipeline. If the inside diameter of these installations is
different, the transition between the diameters shall be tapered, with maximum slope of 1:4.
4.22 A sampling outlet with nominal diameter of 25 mm (1”) shall be installed on the drain pipe, closer
to the closure according to Figures 5 and A.4.
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Ø 1"
150 mm
Screwed cap
4.23 The basket described in Figure A.6 shall be used for receiving foam pigs.
4.24 For natural gas pipelines, classify vents and drains as of “high usage”, for design purpose
according to PETROBRAS N-108.
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Table A.1 - Dimensions for Non-Intelligent Pig Launcher, Receiver and Launcher-
Receiver (Only for Installations Using Flexible Pipes or Pipelines without
Inspection with Intelligent Pig)
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Table A.2 - Dimensions for Pig Launcher, Receiver and Launcher-Receiver for
Pipelines with Provided Passage of Intelligent Pigs
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Table A.2 - Dimensions for Pig Launcher, Receiver and Launcher-Receiver for
Pipelines with Provided Passage of Intelligent Pigs (Continued)
Table A.3 - List of Items of Figures A.1, A.2, A.3 and A.4
Standard
Item Description Notes
Item
1 Pipeline (ØA). - 4.21
2 Branch for nitrogen injection. - 4.9
3 Thermal relief valve. - 4.10
4 Pig passage indicator. 4 4.12
4.16 and
5 Barrel block valve. -
4.17
6 Reducer. - 4.11
7 Drain. 2 and 6 4.24
8 Pressure gauge. - 4.7
9 Launching or receiving barrel. - 4.15
10 Vent. 6 and 7 4.8 and 4.24
11 Quick closing closure. - 4.3
4.16 and
12 By-pass valve. -
4.17
4.16 and
13 Main valve. -
4.17
4.18 and
14 By-pass branch. 2
4.19
4.18 and
15 Main branch. 5
4.19
16 Pressure equalization line with valves. 8 and 9 4.6
17 Supports. 1 -
18 Flanged outlet. 3 4.20
19 Sampling outlet. - 4.22
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Table A.3 - List of Items of Figures A.1, A.2, A.3 and A.4 (Continued)
NOTE 1 The type, quantity, and location of supports shall be determined by the detailed design.
NOTE 2 Diameter as per Tables A.1 and A.2.
NOTE 3 Connection for installing intelligent pig on launcher or launcher-receiver.
NOTE 4 Pig passage indicators shall be capable of detecting the passage of foam pigs, and be located at
the following position:
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Guide bars
Ø branch Number of bars Dimension “A”
80 ( 3) 1 1/2 x branch
100 and 150 (4 and 6) 2 1/3 x branch
200 to 300 (8 to 12) 3 1/4 x branch
350 to 550 (14 to 22) 5 1/6 x branch
600 to 750 (24 to 30) 7 1/8 x branch
800 to 1150 (32 to 46) 9 1/10 x branch
NOTE 2 Transversal reinforcement bars shall be in accordance with the following information:
NOTE 3 Bars shall be adjusted and assembled on the branch connection, at the workshop, before
being sent to the field for pipeline installation.
NOTE 4 The end of guide bars which comes into contact with the pig shall be accurately adjusted to
the pipeline, according to its inside diameter, so as to allow the unobstructed passage of the
pig. Eliminate sharp edges so as not to damage pigs.
NOTE 5 Bar material: structural steel ASTM A-36 or equivalent.
NOTE 6 Guide bars shall be welded to the reinforcement bar by a fillet weld all around.
NOTE 7 All bars shall be welded to piping by a fillet weld all around.
NOTE 8 Bar dimensions shall be in accordance with the following information:
Bar dimensions
Width
Branch diameter Thickness Transversal
Guide bar -
reinforcement bar -
L5
L6
100 and 150 (4 and 6) 6.5 35 -
200 to 300 (8 to 12) 9.5 40 35
350 to 550 (14 to 22) 9.5 50 45
600 to 750 (24 to 30) 12.7 60 55
800 to 1150 (32 to 46) 12.7 70 65
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NOTE 5 The length of two drilled sections equals to two times the pipeline diameter (A) (Tables A.1
e A.2). The sum of hole areas of each one shall be at least two times the inside cross-
section area of a bypass branch. Each section shall be placed with its mediatrix matching
the center line of the bypass branch.
NOTE 6 Inside diameter of the pipeline of Tables A.1 and A.2 plus 5 %.
NOTE 7 The baskets shall be longitudinally split and articulated with hinges.
NOTE 8 Inside diameter of receiver barrel divided by two. Provide clearance for moving the basket
inside the barrel.
NOTE 9 This dimension is limited by the sum of the lengths of pigs that may be received without
opening the barrel.
NOTE 10 Depending on dimension L1 (Tables A.1 and A.2), the basket may be made in sections, so
as to facilitate transportation and handling.
NOTE 11 Dimensions in figures in millimeters.
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N-505 REV. F ENGLISH 03 / 2013
REVISION INDEX
REV. A, B, C and D
There is no revision index.
REV. E
Affected Parts Description of the Change
1.2 Revised
3.2 Revised
3.9 Included
4.6 Revised
4.13 Revised
4.15 Revised
REV. F
Affected Parts Description of the Change
2 Revised
3 Revised
TABLE 1 Revised
4.21 Eliminated
4.22 Revised
IR 1/2
N-505 REV. F ENGLISH 03 / 2013
REV. F
Affected Parts Description of the Change
REV. G
Affected Parts Description of the Change
All Revised
IR 2/2