In a method for setting up a pipeline section of a pipe system in a heat network, which is provided for transferring a heat transfer fluid between a heat provider and a heat consumer, the pipeline section is subdivided into segments in a segmentation step. A segment characteristic variable is determined for each segment based on a physical soil characteristic variable. The determined segment characteristic variables of two adjacent segments differ by more than a predefined segment characteristic variable difference value. In a bedding determination step, segment embedding of a pipeline segment, introduced in the trench in this segment, in a water-permeable segment bedding material is predefined for each segment such that a heat loss of the heat transfer fluid transferred in the pipeline segment, which is averaged over the segment and is based on a unit of length, is lower than a predefined heat loss limit value.

A method for removing from a terrain (T) a buried longitudinal portion (P) of a substantially cylindrical pipe made of a ductile material and of a type suitable for use in oil pipelines, water pipelines, gas pipelines or the like, which method comprises steps of: digging at least an excavation (S1, S2) in the terrain (T), at a longitudinal end (P1, P2) of the buried portion (P) to be removed, such as to make the end accessible; making at least a through-cut in the wall of the portion (P) of pipe to be removed, so as to obtain at least a strip having two opposite longitudinal edges which define a width of the strip that is smaller than a circumference of a wall of the portion (P) of pipe; taking the strip and removing it from the terrain, passing it through the excavation (S1, S2); and obstructing the underground volume that has housed the portion (P) of the pipe (P) and the excavation (S1, S2) with filler material. The invention also relates to a cutting machine comprising: a cutting part (11), entirely insertable in said portion of pipe (P), comprising cutting means (41) for making at least a through-cut in the wall of the portion of pipe; and a support part (12), for supporting the cutting part (11), also entirely insertable in the portion of pipe (P), and comprising abutting means (31, 32, 33) for contemporaneously abutting, at a plurality of points, an internal surface of the portion of pipe so as to engage the machine (1) to the portion of pipe (P) to be cut.

A method for removing from a terrain (T) a buried longitudinal portion (P) of a substantially cylindrical pipe made of a ductile material and of a type suitable for use in oil pipelines, water pipelines, gas pipelines or the like, which method comprises steps of: digging at least an excavation (S1, S2) in the terrain (T), at a longitudinal end (P1, P2) of the buried portion (P) to be removed, such as to make the end accessible; making at least a through-cut in the wall of the portion (P) of pipe to be removed, so as to obtain at least a strip having two opposite longitudinal edges which define a width of the strip that is smaller than a circumference of a wall of the portion (P) of pipe; taking the strip and removing it from the terrain, passing it through the excavation (S1, S2); and obstructing the underground volume that has housed the portion (P) of the pipe (P) and the excavation (S1, S2) with filler material. The invention also relates to a cutting machine comprising: a cutting part (11), entirely insertable in said portion of pipe (P), comprising cutting means (41) for making at least a through-cut in the wall of the portion of pipe; and a support part (12), for supporting the cutting part (11), also entirely insertable in the portion of pipe (P), and comprising abutting means (31, 32, 33) for contemporaneously abutting, at a plurality of points, an internal surface of the portion of pipe so as to engage the machine (1) to the portion of pipe (P) to be cut.

A coiled tubing system (10) for use in deploying a tubing string (12) into a conduit (14) comprises the tubing string (12) and a fluid discharge apparatus (26) disposed at a distal end of the tubing string (12). The tubing string (12) includes a first tubing portion (28) comprising composite coiled tubing and a second tubing portion (30) comprising metallic coiled tubing. The system (10) is configured to deploy the tubing string (12) and the fluid discharge apparatus (26) into the conduit (14), the fluid discharge apparatus (26) operable to generate pressure pulses which facilitate transport of the tubing string (12) further along the conduit 14.

A system for installing and labeling lay flat irrigation pipe in flooded rice and furrow irrigated fields, and a trailer for laying a roll of pipe in an irrigated field. The trailer includes a flexible hitch assembly positioned at a first end of the trailer, wherein the hitch assembly couples the trailer to a vehicle. The trailer also includes a distribution assembly positioned at a second end of the trailer, wherein the distribution assembly includes a spindle and wherein the distribution assembly couples the roll of pipe to the trailer; and a gooseneck frame including a first end coupled to the hitch assembly and a second end coupled to the distribution assembly, with an upper member between the first end and the second end of the gooseneck, wherein the upper member of the gooseneck is elevated relative to the hitch assembly. The trailer may also include offset tandem wheels with a furrow assembly to facilitate the creation of a furrow ditch and for traversing flood irrigated levees for the purposes of installing lay-flat polyethylene pipe for irrigation. The trailer may also include an adjustable telescoping hitch to adjust to various vehicle hitch heights. The system includes a labeling system for indicating the punch size needed along the pipeline during installation. A computerized hole selection plan is developed and transferred to a microprocessor device, where sensors or a global positioning system is co-locate the device so the punch label can be applied along the pipe during installation.

A system for installing and labeling lay flat irrigation pipe in flooded rice and furrow irrigated fields, and a trailer for laying a roll of pipe in an irrigated field. The trailer includes a flexible hitch assembly positioned at a first end of the trailer, wherein the hitch assembly couples the trailer to a vehicle. The trailer also includes a distribution assembly positioned at a second end of the trailer, wherein the distribution assembly includes a spindle and wherein the distribution assembly couples the roll of pipe to the trailer; and a gooseneck frame including a first end coupled to the hitch assembly and a second end coupled to the distribution assembly, with an upper member between the first end and the second end of the gooseneck, wherein the upper member of the gooseneck is elevated relative to the hitch assembly. The trailer may also include offset tandem wheels with a furrow assembly to facilitate the creation of a furrow ditch and for traversing flood irrigated levees for the purposes of installing lay-flat polyethylene pipe for irrigation. The trailer may also include an adjustable telescoping hitch to adjust to various vehicle hitch heights. The system includes a labeling system for indicating the punch size needed along the pipeline during installation. A computerized hole selection plan is developed and transferred to a microprocessor device, where sensors or a global positioning system is co-locate the device so the punch label can be applied along the pipe during installation.

A carrier pipe is protected from corrosion by being received inside a casing at a location above ground. The casing, which can be formed from a polymer, defines a gap extending around an exterior surface of the carrier pipe. In one embodiment, the gap is substantially filled with a potting material having a corrosion-resistant property. In another embodiment, a self-contained impressed current cathodic protection system is received in the gap. A pull head is installed on the carrier pipe and/or casing for pulling the pipe assembly, including carrier pipe, casing, and elements received in the gap, into an underground bore as a single unit. In some embodiments multiple pipe assemblies are pulled together into the same bore.

A carrier pipe is protected from corrosion by being received inside a casing at a location above ground. The casing, which can be formed from a polymer, defines a gap extending around an exterior surface of the carrier pipe. In one embodiment, the gap is substantially filled with a potting material having a corrosion-resistant property. In another embodiment, a self-contained impressed current cathodic protection system is received in the gap. A pull head is installed on the carrier pipe and/or casing for pulling the pipe assembly, including carrier pipe, casing, and elements received in the gap, into an underground bore as a single unit. In some embodiments multiple pipe assemblies are pulled together into the same bore.

A pipe replacement system and method are shown. Configurations are shown that include a pulley that does not damage a bursting tool, as the bursting tool is pulled into a pit. Configurations are also shown that include a boom that does not need an extraction cage for the bursting tool.

A pipe replacement system and method are shown. Configurations are shown that include a pulley that does not damage a bursting tool, as the bursting tool is pulled into a pit. Configurations are also shown that include a boom that does not need an extraction cage for the bursting tool.