Slug catcher

Pipeline & Midstream Operations

A slug catcher is a large vessel or piping array located at the outlet of a multiphase pipeline (receiving terminal). Its volume is designed to buffer large 'slugs' of liquid that accumulate in the line and arrive all at once.

Without a slug catcher, the sudden arrival of massive liquid volumes would overwhelm the downstream separators, causing high-level trips and plant shutdowns. 'Finger type' slug catchers use long loops of large diameter pipe to store the liquid.