A system for launching a pig in a subsea pipeline

摘要

A system for launching a pig in a subsea pipeline (2), especially in an underwater system for the production of hydrocarbons from a wellhead (7) at the sea bed, comprising a pig receiving unit (3) capable of being run down to and recovered from the wellhead (7) by means of a running tool (5), and a pig launching unit (1) arranged at the wellhead for launching a pig (6) into the pipeline (2) via a pig isolating valve (22). The pig launching unit comprises an upwardly open sleeve-shaped barrel (1) at the end of the pipeline (2), and the pig receiving unit (3) comprises an insert member (4) adapted for introduction into the barrel (1) by means of the running tool (5), and for releasable securing in the barrel, so that the two units (1, 3) in connected condition form a launching trap for a pig (6) placed in the insert member (4).