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Title: Method and system for controlling high pressure flow, such as in containment of oil and gas well fires

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6780220

This patent describes a system for controlling the high pressure flow of fluid materials through a pipeline. It comprises means for encapsulating a section of the pipeline through which the fluid materials are flowing; first piercing means mounted on the lower end of the encapsulating means for piercing the encapsulated section of pipe; bleed-off means attached to the first piercing means for diverting at least some of the flow from the pipe to a remote location to reduce the pressure in the pipe; second piercing means mounted on the encapsulating means above the first piercing means for piercing the encapsulated section of pipe; and first sealing means removably attached to the second piercing means for selectively sealing off the lower end of the encapsulated section of pipe. This patent describes a method for controlling flow through a pipe, particularly for containing oil and gas well fires. It comprises: installing an enclosure vessel around the section of pipe; mounting a first piercing unit having a bleed-off assembly onto the enclosure vessel; installing a diversion pipe connected to the bleed-off assembly to a remote holding site; piercing the section of pipe with the first piercing unit; bleeding off maximum pressure from the section of pipe by diverting the flow from the pipe through the diversion pipe to the remote holding site; installing a first drilling unit on the vessel above the bleed-off assembly; mounting a first plugging unit on the first drilling unit; drilling through the section of pipe with the first drilling unit; and plugging the section of pipe with the first plugging unit.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-93-005160; EDB-93-035983
Patent Number(s):
US 5156212; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-703453
OSTI ID:
6780220
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 21 May 1991
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English