Overview
ISO 22504:2025 - "Oil and gas industries including lower carbon energy - Pipeline transportation systems - Onshore and offshore pipelines pig traps design requirements" establishes requirements for the design, manufacture and layout of pig traps used to launch and receive pigs, inspection tools and other pipeline equipment. The standard covers onshore, topside offshore and subsea pig traps (Annex A) and their associated pipework, valves and instrumentation, while excluding automatic launchers, self‑contained pigging valves and temporary construction‑phase pig traps.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Defines launcher, receiver and launcher‑receiver types and clarifies what is in‑scope (pig traps and adjacent branches) and out‑of‑scope items.
- Design and manufacturing: Materials and wall thicknesses are to follow the pipeline code unless otherwise specified by the purchaser; designers must address pigging frequency, fluid properties, maintainability and design life.
- Closure design: Closures must be quick‑opening, hinge‑ or supported‑mechanism types with pressure‑warning interlocks and mechanical redundancy. Closure design/manufacture shall comply with ASME BPVC Section VIII – Division 1 and include a sealing ring compatible with transported products and resistant to explosive decompression for high vapor pressure fluids.
- Layout and piping: Clause 5 and Annex C cover pig trap system layout, limits between components designed under Clause 4 and installation items under Clause 5, plus sizing guidance for kickers and drains.
- Fabrication and quality: Welding, weld inspection, stress relieving, hydrostatic testing, coatings, marking and required documentation are specified (Clauses 4.3–4.9). NDT personnel qualification references ISO 9712 and ISO/IEC 17024.
- Normative annexes: Include purchaser information (Annex B), schematic figures and suggested dimensions (Annexes C and D), subsea requirements (Annex A), pig guide bar and internal tray requirements (Annexes E and F).
Practical applications and users
ISO 22504:2025 is intended for:
- Pipeline engineers and designers specifying pig trap geometry and materials
- EPC contractors and fabricators building onshore, topside and subsea pig traps
- Pipeline operators defining procurement and maintenance requirements for pigging systems
- Inspection and commissioning teams responsible for testing, welding inspection and NDT
- Procurement specialists and purchasers who must provide project information per Annex B
Use cases include designing launcher/receiver assemblies, specifying closures and interlocks, selecting sealing materials for LPG or natural gas services, and preparing skidded pig trap modules for rapid installation.
Related standards
Key referenced documents include ISO 13623 (pipeline systems), ISO 13847 (pipeline welding), ISO 14313 / 14723 (pipeline valves), ISO 15590‑2 (fittings), ISO 9712 / ISO/IEC 17024 (NDT personnel) and ASME BPVC Section VIII.
Keywords: ISO 22504:2025, pig trap design, pipeline pigging, onshore pig traps, offshore pig traps, subsea pig traps, closure interlock, pig trap layout.