What a Waste: The Hidden World of Pigging Wastes
Welcome to another instalment of ‘What a Waste’, where we explore the hazardous wastes Tellus safely manages to protect our environment. Today, we’re diving into pigging waste.
But first, what exactly is pigging? It’s a crucial maintenance process used across industries like food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas. The process involves inserting a ‘pig’ – a spherical tool – into pipelines to recover residual liquids and remove debris. Over time, solid particles, rust, scale, and other contaminants build up inside these pipelines, necessitating regular cleaning.
Pigging waste refers to the residual scale and contaminants removed during this process. In some industries, particularly oil and gas, pigging can uncover challenging materials that require careful management. One such material is Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), which can be found in small amounts inside offshore oil and gas flowlines.
At Tellus, we accept NORM sludge and scale pigging waste for disposal at Sandy Ridge. By ensuring safe disposal of these materials, we eliminate the risk of contamination, safeguarding both people and the environment.
Our commitment to managing these complex wastes reflects our dedication to a cleaner, safer future. Stay tuned for more ‘What a Waste!’ as we continue to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of waste management.
Cover photo by Danylo