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Title / Conduct pigging activities in a petrochemical pipeline
Level / 3 / Credits / 3
Purpose / This unit standard is for people employed in the petrochemical industry.
People credited with this unit standard are, for a petrochemical pipeline, able to: demonstrate knowledge of pigging and load a pig into a launcher; launch a pig; receive a pig; and unload a pig from a pig receiver and report findings.
Classification / Petrochemical Industry > Petrochemical Product Transmission and Transfer
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Performance of the outcomes of this unit standard must comply with relevant site requirements and the following legislation and documentation:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015;
Resource Management Act 1991;
Pig manufacturer’s instructions.
2This unit standard is intended for, but is not limited to, workplace assessment. While all evidence requirementsmust be met, it is noted that all range statements within this unit standard are indicative and dependent on enterprise and site specific equipment, procedures, and practices.
3Assessment against this unit standard relates to pipelines that carry liquid or gas petrochemicals. It excludes the pigging of pipelines for other liquid or gas products.
4Definitions
Pig means pipeline internal gauges. Pigs are devices for insertion into pipelines for the purpose of cleaning the lines or separating products.
Site requirements mean the site specific documented methods for performing work activities and include health, safety, environmental, and quality management requirements. They may refer to manuals, codes of practice, or policy statements.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of pigging, and load a pig into a launcher in a petrochemical pipeline.
Evidence requirements
1.1Reasons for using pigs are described.
Rangecleaning, purging, product separation, clearing blockages.
1.2Pig types are identified according to application and site pigging requirements.
Rangedisplacement, bi-directional, intelligent, conical cup, gauging, batching (single or multiple), spherical, wire brush, scraper.
1.3Hazards are identified in relation to the interruption of pipeline flow.
Rangestuck pig, block valve closure, reduced flow rates, process interruption.
1.4The pig is loaded into the launcher safely in accordance with site requirements.
Outcome 2
Launch a pig into a petrochemical pipeline.
Evidence requirements
2.1Pig launching system checks are made in accordance with site requirements.
Rangevisual inspection of threads and pressure bleed valves, pressure isolations, signalling/tracking equipment, quick opening enclosure, line valves are confirmed open, leaks.
2.2The pig is launched into the pipeline safely in accordance with site requirements.
2.3Communication relating to the process is maintained with relevant personnel during pig launching operation in accordance with site requirements.
Rangemaintenance and service personnel, external customers.
2.4The pig launching system is reinstated in accordance with site requirements.
Outcome 3
Receive a pig in a petrochemical pipeline.
Evidence requirements
3.1Pig receiving system checks are made in accordance with site requirements.
Rangevisual inspection of threads and pressure bleed valves, pressure isolations, signalling/tracking equipment, quick opening enclosure, line valves are confirmed open, leaks, pig receiver.
3.2The pig is received, and the pig receiver is drained and depressurised safely in accordance with site requirements.
3.3Communication relating to the process is maintained with relevant personnel during pig receiving operations in accordance with site requirements.
Rangemaintenance and service personnel, external customers.
Outcome 4
Unload a pig from a pig receiver in a petrochemical pipeline and report findings.
Evidence requirements
4.1Pig unloading system checks are carried out in accordance with site requirements.
Rangepressure, isolations, catchment, signalling/tracking equipment, safety equipment.
4.2The pig is unloaded safely and without spillage in accordance with site requirements.
4.3The pig receiving system is reinstated in accordance with site requirements.
4.4Findings are noted and reported in accordance with site requirements.
Rangecondition of pig, analysis of debris, reports, follow-up actions.
Planned review date / 31 December 2018Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 6 February 1997 / 31 December 2018
Revision / 2 / 3 August 2000 / 31 December 2018
Review / 3 / 24 January 2002 / 31 December 2018
Review / 4 / 20 February 2009 / 31 December 2018
Rollover and Revision / 5 / 20 April 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0079
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019