Remotely Operated, Diverless Subsea Pig Launcher

Abstract

This paper describes a remotely operated Subsea Pig Launcher (SPL) designed and built for installation on Shell's Serrano subsea development. This technology provides pigging ability to single-flowline subsea developments and can dramatically reduce costs by enabling single (as opposed to dual) flowline systems. A simple, effective SPL has, to date, not been commonly available in the industry. This SPL should prove easy to use and operate with minimal intervention. Unique features include: remote operation from the host; independent launching of up to nine pigs; diverless pig re-supply; and, diverless installation/removal.