Pipeline pigging uses different types of cleaning pigs depending on pipeline conditions, debris levels, and inspection requirements. Selecting the right pipeline pig is critical for effective cleaning, batching operations, and preparation for inline inspection (ILI).

This pipeline pig comparison guide breaks down the most common pipeline pig types used in pigging operations—including cleaning pigs, batching pigs, urethane pigs, foam pigs, and inspection tools—helping operators choose the right pig for their application.

Enduro Pipeline Services manufactures a wide range of pipeline cleaning pigs, including STS pigs, Advantage steel-bodied pigs, dual diameter pigs, urethane pigs, and foam pigs, used in pipeline pigging and pre-ILI cleaning programs.

Not sure when a pipeline is clean enough? Learn how operators evaluate cleanliness before inline inspection, hydrotesting, and routine maintenance.

Types of Pipeline Pigs for Cleaning and Batching

Pipeline pigging is widely used across oil, gas, water, and industrial pipeline systems to maintain flow efficiency and prepare for inline inspection. Operators use several different pig designs depending on pipeline conditions, debris levels, and inspection preparation requirements. Common pipeline pig types include STS cleaning pigs, steel-bodied Advantage pigs, dual diameter pigs, urethane pigs, and foam pigs. Each pig type offers different cleaning force, flexibility, and durability depending on the application.

Engineers often select pig types based on:

• Pipeline diameter and wall condition
• Debris type (scale, wax, sand, mill scale)
• Required sealing capability
• Whether the run is for pre-ILI cleaning
• Changes in pipeline diameter

Enduro Pipeline Services manufactures a wide range of pipeline cleaning pigs designed for reliable pigging performance and effective debris removal prior to inline inspection.

How to Choose the Right Pipeline Cleaning Pig

Select the right cleaning pig based on the pipeline configuration, operating conditions, material being removed, and the objective of the run. Pipe diameter alone is not enough to determine which pig design or cleaning components to use.

Important selection factors include:

Pipeline diameter, wall thickness, and internal condition
Bends, valves, tees, reducers, and changes in diameter
Type and estimated volume of debris
Operating pressure, flow rate, and product
Required sealing and liquid-displacement capability
Previous pigging history
Whether the objective is routine maintenance, batching, dewatering, or preparation for inline inspection

A pig that is too aggressive may create unnecessary operational risk, while one that is not aggressive enough may leave debris or liquids in the pipeline. For challenging applications, Enduro reviews the pipeline conditions and cleaning objective before recommending the pig body, cups, discs, brushes, magnets, blades, or other components.

Pipeline Pig Types and When to Use Each One:

STS Cleaning Pigs

STS pigs are designed for aggressive cleaning and debris removal. Their cup design allows them to navigate fittings and wall changes while maintaining a strong seal against the pipe wall.

Advantage Cleaning & Batching Pigs

Advantage pigs are ideal for standard pipeline cleaning and batching operations where operators require durable pigs that can handle multiple runs.

Dual Diameter Cleaning Pigs

Dual diameter pigs are engineered to travel through pipelines that include reducers or transitions between different diameters while maintaining cleaning performance.

Bi-Directional Cleaning Pigs

Bi-directional pigs are commonly used during hydrostatic testing, where pigs must travel in both directions for filling and displacement operations.

Urethane Cleaning Pigs

Urethane pigs provide durable sealing and flexibility, making them well-suited for routine cleaning and batching programs.
When pipeline operations require product separation or fluid displacement, batching separator pigs can provide reliable sealing for batching, displacement, filling, dewatering, and other pipeline operations.

Foam Cleaning Pigs

Foam pigs are typically used for light cleaning, drying operations, or short pipeline runs where flexibility is required.

While foam pigs can be useful for light cleaning or drying operations, most pipeline cleaning programs benefit from more durable pig designs that provide stronger sealing and longer service life. Steel-bodied and urethane pigs are often preferred when pipelines contain significant debris, wax, scale, or other contaminants.

Did you know? Cleaning pigs with properly sized sealing cups or discs are commonly used to remove bulk liquids from pipelines. Urethane, steel-bodied, batching, and bi-directional pigs can be configured for liquid displacement, dewatering, product separation, and hydrostatic-test operations.

Foam pigs may be used for drying or removing residual moisture, but they are not always the best choice for moving large volumes of liquid. The correct pig depends on the liquid volume, pipeline configuration, required seal, and operating conditions.

What Are Brush Cleaning Pigs?

Brush cleaning pigs use wire or scrub brushes to loosen contaminants that cups or discs alone may not remove. They are commonly used for mill scale, rust, black powder, and other adhered deposits.

Learn More → Brush Cleaning Pigs

Cleaning Pigs vs. Inline Inspection Pigs

Cleaning pigs remove debris and prepare the line, while intelligent pigs such as caliper and MFL tools collect condition data.

Learn More → Inline Inspection Tools
Learn More → Caliper DDL Tools

Best Applications for Each Cleaning Pig Type

Not every cleaning pig is designed for the same job. The best pig for your pipeline depends on the line conditions, debris type, cleaning objective, and whether the run is part of a routine maintenance program or preparation for inline inspection.

How Do I Choose the Right Cleaning Pig?

Choosing the right cleaning pig starts with pipeline conditions and the run objective. The appropriate pig type and configuration depend on factors such as pipeline diameter and geometry, debris type and volume, product, operating conditions, previous pigging history, and whether the goal is cleaning, batching, liquid displacement, maintenance, or preparation for inline inspection.

As a general guide:

Routine cleaning or liquid displacement: Urethane or cup-style cleaning pigs may provide the sealing and wiping action needed.
Heavy or adhered debris: Steel-bodied cleaning pigs can be configured with brushes, scraper components, or other cleaning elements for more aggressive cleaning.
Ferrous debris: Magnetic cleaning pigs can capture iron-containing debris such as rust, scale, welding debris, and other ferrous material.
Changing pipeline diameters: Dual-diameter cleaning pigs are designed to maintain effective contact and sealing through diameter transitions.
Travel in either direction: Bi-directional cleaning pigs are designed for applications where the pig may need to move through the pipeline in either direction.
Light cleaning or drying: Foam pigs can provide a flexible option when aggressive cleaning is not required.

For pipelines with unknown conditions, significant debris, or a limited pigging history, a progressive cleaning approach may be appropriate rather than immediately introducing the most aggressive cleaning configuration.

STS Cleaning Pigs
Best for demanding cleaning and batching applications where durability, sealing, and reliable travel through challenging pipeline features are important.

Advantage Cleaning Pigs
Best for aggressive cleaning programs, heavy debris removal, and applications that require a rugged steel-bodied pig with configurable cleaning components.

Dual Diameter Cleaning Pigs
Best for pipelines with diameter transitions where a standard pig may struggle to maintain sealing contact through size changes.

Bi-Directional Cleaning Pigs
Best for lines where the pig may need to travel in either direction or where operational flexibility is required.

Urethane Cleaning Pigs
Best for routine cleaning, batching, liquid displacement, and general maintenance pigging.

Foam Pigs
Best for light cleaning, drying, or low-demand applications that need flexibility but not aggressive cleaning.

Some applications require custom cleaning pig configurations. View examples of custom pig designs developed for challenging pipeline conditions.

How Cleaning Pig Components Affect Performance

The pig body is only part of the selection process. Cups, discs, brushes, magnets, and scraper components can be configured to provide the sealing, support, and cleaning action required for a particular pipeline.

Cleaning Pig Cups vs. Discs

The difference between cleaning pig cups and discs is primarily how they seal, support, and interact with the pipeline. Cups are commonly used for strong sealing, propulsion, batching, and liquid displacement, while discs can provide sealing, guidance, wiping, and scraping action and may also support bi-directional pig designs.

When Should Scraper Blades Be Used?

Consider scraper blades when a pipeline contains hardened or firmly adhered deposits that cups, discs, or standard brushes may not remove effectively. They can provide more concentrated contact with the pipe wall for demanding cleaning applications.

Because scraper blades increase cleaning aggressiveness, select them only after reviewing pipeline condition, internal coatings, fittings, debris type, and operating limitations. Progressive cleaning may be recommended before introducing a more aggressive blade configuration.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Cleaning Pig?

Choosing the wrong cleaning pig can create more problems than it solves. If the pig does not seal properly, the product can bypass the tool instead of pushing debris forward. If the pig is too aggressive, it may cause unnecessary wear or operational issues. If it is not aggressive enough, debris, wax, scale, liquids, or black powder may remain in the line.

Using the wrong pig can lead to:

Poor debris removal
Reduced flow efficiency
Inconsistent pig travel
Increased risk of stuck or stalled tools
Extra cleaning runs
Delayed inspection schedules
Poor inline inspection data quality

That is why pig selection should be based on actual pipeline conditions, not just the pipe size. Enduro helps operators choose cleaning pigs based on the goal of the run, line configuration, debris type, and inspection requirements.

Still Comparing Cleaning Pig Options?

Still deciding which cleaning pig is right for your application? Our Pipeline Cleaning Planning Guide explains how experienced operators choose pig styles, modify configurations, and plan successful cleaning programs.

Call 800-752-1628 or get help choosing a pig.

Want to see how cleaning pigs are built? Schedule a tour or pigging class at our Tulsa facility.

What are the different types of pipeline cleaning pigs?
Common pipeline cleaning pig types include STS pigs, steel-bodied pigs, dual diameter pigs, urethane pigs, and foam pigs. Each pig type is designed for different pipeline conditions and cleaning objectives.
How do operators choose the right pipeline cleaning pig?
Operators select cleaning pigs based on pipeline diameter, debris type, flow conditions, and operational goals such as cleaning, batching, or preparing the pipeline for inline inspection.
Which cleaning pigs are used before inline inspection (ILI)?
Aggressive cleaning pigs such as steel-bodied pigs, dual diameter pigs, or urethane pigs are commonly used to remove debris and ensure inspection tools maintain proper contact with the pipe wall.

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Pipeline Pig Types Explained: Comparison & Selection Guide

Compare Foam, Urethane, Brush & Dual Diameter Pipeline Pigs