A pig receiver and method to retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pressure equalization system including a gate valve, wherein a first side of the gate valve is coupled to a downstream pressure connection, and wherein a second side of the gate valve is coupled to an upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pressure equalization valve disposed between the downstream pressure connection and the upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pig receiver unit, wherein a first side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the downstream pressure connection downstream of the gate valve, and wherein a second side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the upstream pressure connection upstream of the gate valve.