Methods and apparatus for purging liquid from an offshore pipeline and/or scanning a pipeline interior

Patent · Tue Jun 08 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:6731390

Nolan, Jr, C E; Soland, J P; Tillinghast, W S

Apparatus and methods are described for purging water from a submerged pipeline including means for handling pipeline pigs. In the system of the invention, a pig launcher is attached at a first pipeline means end and a pig receiver is attached at a second, submerged pipeline means end. The pig launcher is operable to propel a number of pig elements in sequence through the pipeline under the urging of pressurized gas in order to displace fluid and/or locate obstructions. The pig receiver is arranged to exhaust such displaced fluid and receive and store the propelled pig elements. The pig receiver may include a fluid discharge system for exhausting propulsion gas into the ambient water in response to the arrival of a pig element and thus provide means to signal such arrival. The pig launcher may include a fluid discharge system for exhausting pressurized propulsion gas into the ambient water to signify a successful pig launch. (28 claims)

• Assignee: Brown and Root Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 3961493
• OSTI ID: 6731390
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
022000 -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
03 NATURAL GAS
032000 -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420206* -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PIPELINES
REMOVAL
WATER