pig | Energy Glossary

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pig

1. n. []

A device with blades or brushes inserted in a pipeline for cleaning purposes. The pressure of the oil stream behind pushes the pig along the pipeline to clean out rust, wax, scale and debris. These devices are also called scrapers.

Synonyms: scraper

See related terms: pig run

2. n. []

A spheroid implement used to displace liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas pipelines. They are also called signaling and batching pigs.

3. vb. []

To run a scraper, or pig, through a pipeline for cleaning purposes.

Synonyms: scraper