An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

A pipeline scraper assembly including a guide disc, and a sealing disc coupled to the guide disc, where the sealing disc defines a sealing disc outer circumference, and an initial wear indicator defining an initial radially-facing wear face that is positioned radially inward from the sealing disc outer circumference by an initial wear distance, and a secondary wear indicator defining a secondary radially-facing wear face that is positioned radially inward from the sealing disc outer circumference by a secondary wear distance, where the secondary wear distance is greater than the initial wear distance.

A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of input sensors, the plurality of input sensors distributed horizontally relative to an inspection surface and configured to provide inspection data of the inspection surface at selected horizontal positions; a controller, comprising: a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position of the inspection robot on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret the inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position.

The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an inner surface. The method includes affixing a fitting to the flow line, the fitting having a main flow channel and a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel. A first end portion of the fitting can have an attachment that enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion. A second end portion of the fitting can have one or more doors that can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closed position. A suction line can be connected to the branch flow channel. A cleaning tool can be guided first into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable. The cleaning tool and jetting fluid can be used to clean drilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line. The jetting fluid can be removed via the branch flow channel using the suction line. The cable can extend through the door opening or openings when the door or doors are in the closed position. A camera can be guided into the flow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends through the door opening or openings. The cleaning tool is preferably too small to fit through the door opening.

A Conduit Descaling System (CDS) is provided and includes an anchor structure, wherein the anchor structure includes a first anchor end, a second anchor end and a structure center portion and wherein the structure center portion connects the first anchor end with the second anchor end; a descaling chain ring, wherein the descaling chain ring defines a chain ring center cavity and is connected to the structure center portion; and a Forward Descaling Article (FDA), wherein the FDA includes an FDA structure having an FDA structure first end, an FDA structure second end and an FDA structure center portion, wherein the FDA structure center portion includes a plurality of FDA anchor structures distributed along the circumference of the FDA structure center portion, and wherein FDA further includes a plurality of FDA descaling links having a plurality of FDA descaling link cutting teeth.

The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an inner surface. The method includes affixing a fitting to the flow line, the fitting having a main flow channel and a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel. A first end portion of the fitting can have an attachment that enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion. A second end portion of the fitting can have one or more doors that can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closed position. A suction line can be connected to the branch flow channel. A cleaning tool can be guided first into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable. The cleaning tool and jetting fluid can be used to clean drilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line. The jetting fluid can be removed via the branch flow channel using the suction line. The cable can extend through the door opening or openings when the door or doors are in the closed position. A camera can be guided into the flow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends through the door opening or openings. The cleaning tool is preferably too small to fit through the door opening.

A pipeline inspection gauge includes a cleaning module for a pipeline. The cleaning module includes a body portion, a suspension assembly, a plurality of brushes, and an anti-rotation device. The body portion includes a front cup and a rear cup, and the suspension assembly is coupled to the body portion between the front cup and the rear cup. The plurality of brushes include at least one forward brush that is axially aligned with at least one rear brush. The suspension assembly is configured to bias the at least one forward brush and the at least one rear brush radially outward and into engagement with an arc defined along the inner surface of the pipeline when the pipeline inspection gauge is in the pipeline. The anti-rotation device is coupled to the body portion and prevents rotation of the cleaning module when the cleaning module is used in a pipeline.

Inspection robots with a multi-function piston connecting a drive module to a central chassis and systems thereof are disclosed. An example inspection robot may include a center chassis coupled to a payload coupled to at least two inspection sensors. The inspection robot may further include a drive module coupled to the center chassis, the drive module having a drive wheel to engage an inspection surface and a drive piston mechanically interposed between the center chassis and the drive module. The example may further include wherein the drive piston in a first position couples the drive module to the center chassis at a minimum distance between and the drive piston in a second position couples the drive module to the center chassis at a maximum distance between. The example may further include wherein the drive module is independently rotatable relative to the center chassis.

A system for use in maintaining a pipe having a sidewall is provided. The system includes a motorized apparatus sized to fit within the pipe and configured to travel along the pipe through an interior cavity. The motorized apparatus includes a plurality of leg assemblies coupled circumferentially around a body assembly. The body assembly includes an actuator assembly coupled to each leg assembly and configured to independently actuate each leg assembly to adjust a position of each leg assembly. The body assembly also includes at least one sensor configured to collect information associated with the position of each leg assembly. The body assembly also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the motorized apparatus and configured to receive the information from the sensor, and to determine at least one of a pipe diameter and a pitch of the motorized apparatus based on the information from the at least one sensor.

A cleaning pig assembly is provided for use on a tubular drag conveyor. The assembly is quickly and easily mounted anywhere along the cable, chain, or rope via slots in the assembly components. The components include a puck, a plate, a drag disc, and a cleaning member or tool sandwiched between the puck and the plate. The drag disc provides interference fit on the cable, chain, or rope holding the assembly on the cable, chain, or rope and prevents sliding of the assembly along the cable, chain, or rope during use. The cleaning assembly is installed without the use of tools or clamps. Multiple interchangeable cleaning members are provided depending on cleaning needs.