ErectaStep Delivers Fast-Track Platform Solution for Pig Launching and Receiving Operations
Industrial pipeline maintenance requires specialized equipment and safe access solutions, particularly for critical operations like pig launching and receiving. In the oil and gas industry, pigging is an essential maintenance practice that uses specialized devices called pigs to clean, inspect, and maintain pipelines without stopping product flow.
ErectaStep’s Rapid Response Solution
A recent project with Northern Platforms Ltd., ErectaStep’s Canadian distributor, demonstrates the speed and efficiency of modular platform solutions for industrial applications. When a client required a pig launching and receiving platform, the timeline was remarkably compressed:
- Tuesday: Quote and technical drawings provided
- Wednesday: Equipment shipped to customer
- Thursday: Platform installed and operational
This three-day turnaround illustrates ErectaStep’s patented bolt-together design, eliminating custom fabrication delays while maintaining full OSHA compliance.
Platform Requirements for Pig Operations
Pig launching and receiving operations require safe, reliable access platforms due to the hazardous nature of the work. These operations involve:
- High-pressure gas handling during barrel depressurization
- Potential exposure to hazardous substances including methane, VOCs, and BTEX compounds
- Heavy pig handling requiring stable work surfaces
- Valve operations requiring precise positioning and access – Pipe & valve installation gallery
ErectaStep’s modular aluminum platforms provide slip-resistant surfaces, OSHA-compliant handrails, and weather-resistant construction essential for these demanding applications.
What is Pipeline Pigging?
Pipeline pigging involves inserting inspection gauges or cleaning devices, commonly called pigs, into a pipeline through a pig launcher (launching station) and recovering them at a pig receiver (receiving station). The pig launcher is an oversized section of the pipeline that reduces to normal diameter, allowing operators to insert the pig into the pressurized system.
What is pigging?
Northern Platforms Ltd. Partnership
Northern Platforms Ltd. is ErectaStep’s exclusive distributor for Western Canada. It specializes in loading platforms and access solutions for the oil and gas industry, and its product portfolio includes:.
- ErectaStep modular work platforms and stairs
- RollaStep mobile access units
- YellowGate safety gates
Modular Advantage in Critical Applications
ErectaStep’s five-component modular system enables unlimited configurations while maintaining pre-engineered OSHA compliance. This approach provides significant advantages for pig launching and receiving platforms:
Speed of Deployment
- In-stock components eliminate fabrication delays
- Bolt-together assembly requires no welding or hot permits
- Standard components ship immediately upon order
Operational Flexibility
- Reconfigurable design adapts to changing facility needs
- Component replacement without full system replacement
- Future expansion capability as operations grow
Safety Compliance
- Pre-engineered OSHA compliance eliminates engineering delays
- Slip-resistant aluminum treads for all-weather operation
- Powder-coated handrails meeting safety specifications
The pig launching and receiving platform project delivered by Northern Platforms exemplifies how ErectaStep’s modular approach transforms critical industrial access challenges from weeks-long custom fabrication projects into rapid-deployment solutions that meet the urgent operational needs of the oil and gas industry.
