A large-gap-seal (LGS) assembly and methods for its assembly and use are described. The LGS assembly has an elastomer core surrounded by adjoining structural segments. Non-adjoining gap segments are located on the sidewall surfaces of the elastomer core, with each gap segment approximately centered beneath the edges of two adjoining structural segments. The gap segments are exposed by the spaces that form between the structural segments when the LGS assembly is activated. Exposing the gap segments rather than the elastomer core protects the elastomer core from damage and preserves the integrity of the seal between the isolation tool and the inner wall of the pipeline.

The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for sealing and/or curing a leakage at a remote site in a pipe, the system including a multiplicity of polymeric carrier plugs of a deformable material including pores, at least one sealant composition disposed in the pores; and a carrier liquid composition adapted to transport the multiplicity of polymeric carrier plugs to a site of the leakage, wherein at least some of the multiplicity of polymeric carrier plugs polymeric carrier plugs are adapted to transport the at least one sealant composition from a first site in the carrier liquid composition to a remote site and to seal the leakage at the remote site.

A watertight testing device includes a cylindrical core fit into a pipe joint part, a first seal member for sealing between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of one pipe, a second seal member for sealing between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the other pipe, a first pressing member for pressing and compressing the first seal member into a first seal-member insertion space, a second pressing member for pressing and compressing the second seal member into a second seal-member insertion space, a moving device for moving the first and second pressing members in a pipe axial direction, and a test fluid feeder for feeding a test fluid into a test space.

A large-gap-seal (LGS) assembly and methods for its assembly and use are described. The LGS assembly has an elastomer core surrounded by adjoining structural segments. Non-adjoining gap segments are located on the sidewall surfaces of the elastomer core, with each gap segment approximately centered beneath the edges of two adjoining structural segments. The gap segments are exposed by the spaces that form between the structural segments when the LGS assembly is activated. Exposing the gap segments rather than the elastomer core protects the elastomer core from damage and preserves the integrity of the seal between the isolation tool and the inner wall of the pipeline.

Devices for setting a plug in a pipe, as well as methods of setting a plug using such devices, are provided. Such devices may include: a plug adaptor configured for coupling with the plug; a plug setting tool configured for engagement with the plug to actuate the plug; a motor in communication with the plug setting tool, the motor configured to actuate the plug setting tool; a control cable in communication with the motor for controlling operation thereof; and a supporting member directly or indirectly supporting the plug adaptor, the supporting member configured for positioning the plug in the pipe.

Pipeline isolation tool for sealing extrusion gaps of up to about 20% or greater includes a pair of fenced barriers (60, 160) having overlapping segments (68/70, 168/170) for restraining a seal (40). The segments expand to a pipe wall before the seal to prevent transition of seal medium over the segments and form a support wall for the seal. The support wall may include a protection ring (200). Springs (80, 180) surround each fenced barrier for returning the support system to a relaxed position. Inner rings (90, 190) are provided on sealing element facing surfaces (64, 164) of the fenced barrier for supporting the segments. The inner rings define a smooth inner guiding surface (92, 192) for the seal. The guiding surface is tilted inwardly towards the seal for resisting the sealing element during expansion and for preventing an inside diameter of the seal from expanding outwardly when compressed.

A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.

A plug for a pipeline includes a top portion defining a top bore, the top bore defining a top diameter; a bottom portion defining a bottom bore, the bottom bore defining a bottom diameter; and a web portion joining the top portion and the bottom portion; the top portion, the bottom portion, and the web portion defining a main bore, the main bore defining a longitudinal axis of the plug and defining a circular shape around the longitudinal axis of the plug; the top portion, the bottom portion, and the web portion further defining a substantially circular shape around a transverse axis of the plug that extends through the top portion and the bottom portion and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The first seal is in two portions, and the second seal is in two portions.

An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The tool further includes an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool.