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Diverless pipeline-repair system passes tests for 20-in. pipe

Journal Article · · Oil and Gas Journal; (USA)
OSTI ID:6744322
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Elf Aquitaine, Pau (FR)
  2. British Gas PLC, Newcastle upon Tyne (UK)

Full-scale tests of a diverless pipeline repair system have shown its effectiveness for repairing subsea pipelines of up to 20 in. in diameter. The repair principle is based upon a metal-to-metal seal. The pipe end is cold forged to form a flare. The metal-to-metal seal is located on a cone which is part of the mechanical hydraulically actuated connector. The cone is advanced and the metal-to-metal seal is compressed between the cone and the inside diameter of the flare, forming a high integrity pipeline seal. A set of remotely controlled modules was constructed to perform the repair operations, including pipe flaring. A series of onshore and shallow water trials have demonstrated the practicability of these modules and the feasibility of the new tie-in concept for a diverless pipeline repair. A second set of tools has also been designed for pipeline tie-ins which works with the pipeline-repair spread.

OSTI ID:
6744322
Journal Information:
Oil and Gas Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (USA) Vol. 88:21; ISSN OIGJA; ISSN 0030-1388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English