Method of cleaning pipeline

A method of cleaning gas or liquid petroleum pipeline comprising:

• selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 300 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on interior surfaces of a pipeline;
• introducing a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion, a surfactant, and a drying agent into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned;
• passing a first pig or body through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline at a thickness of from 0.1 mil to 10 mils;
• and
• performing at least one of A) and B), wherein:
• A) comprises removing the composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline with the same first pig or body as the first pig or body passes through the pipeline;
• and
• B) comprises allowing the composition to reside upon the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline for a selected period of time of 10 minutes or more;
• and then passing a second pig or body through the pipeline to remove the composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline;
• and wherein
• the removed materials comprise at least one of corrosion byproducts, scale, mineral deposits, sand, silica, hydrocarbons, paraffins, asphaltenes, metal oxides, iron oxides, solids, biofilm, and water.