A speed control apparatus for an inline pipeline inspection tool includes a body configured to be moved by a compressible product moving through a pipeline and a speed control mechanism supported by the body. The speed control mechanism includes a contact member that is positionable against an inner surface of the pipeline and an actuator configured to act on the contact member to adjust a speed of the body when the speed deviates from a predetermined speed. The speed control apparatus forms a drive system that provides forward propulsion to prevent the tool from slowing or stopping due to a problematic feature in the pipeline. The speed control apparatus also forms a brake system that minimizes overspeed conditions that can occur when built-up pressure initially dislodges the tool from the problematic feature in the pipeline.

An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline comprises a body defining an axis, a sensor module coupled to the body, and a drive cup coupled to the body. The drive cup includes an outer surface with a plurality of axial channels, each of the axial channels including at least one bridge positioned therein that extends circumferentially across the channel.

A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and directs fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The assembly comprises a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the central bore, a guide between the nozzle body and the poppet, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the nozzle body and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.

A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and directs fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The assembly comprises a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the central bore, a guide between the nozzle body and the poppet, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the nozzle body and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.

A pig has a body of resiliently compressible material extending along a central longitudinal axis. At least one strain gauge is embedded in the material of the body. The or each strain gauge extends transversely with respect to the central longitudinal axis and is arranged to deflect and elongate longitudinally with longitudinal deflection of a forward end of the body.

Provided are a device configuration, method, etc. for performing imaging investigation in an investigation space using an unmanned aerial vehicle. A system includes: a flight start platform; the vehicle which is connected to a line-type member and equipped with an investigation camera, a travel-direction imaging camera, and a vehicle-side communication unit; an external control device which is equipped with a display unit and an external control device-side communication unit, and which receives the travel-direction image data through the external control device-side communication unit, receives an input of control commands for the vehicle while having a video or still image obtained from the travel-direction image data displayed on the display unit, and transmits a signal indicating the control commands from the external control device-side communication unit; and an attraction device which is connected to the line-type member and attracts the vehicle.

Provided are a device configuration, method, etc. for performing imaging investigation in an investigation space using an unmanned aerial vehicle. A system includes: a flight start platform; the vehicle which is connected to a line-type member and equipped with an investigation camera, a travel-direction imaging camera, and a vehicle-side communication unit; an external control device which is equipped with a display unit and an external control device-side communication unit, and which receives the travel-direction image data through the external control device-side communication unit, receives an input of control commands for the vehicle while having a video or still image obtained from the travel-direction image data displayed on the display unit, and transmits a signal indicating the control commands from the external control device-side communication unit; and an attraction device which is connected to the line-type member and attracts the vehicle.

A pipeline inspection device including a housing, an antenna, an imaging device having one or more lenses, two diaphragms extending from the housing and distal to one another along the length of the housing, the two diaphragms sharing a longitudinal axis with the housing, a processor, a storage device in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor, storing a machine learning algorithm and instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the antenna is operable to communicate with a remote transceiver, the remote transceiver being located on a pipeline through which the pipeline inspection device travels. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for using the same.

A pipeline inspection device including a housing, an antenna, an imaging device having one or more lenses, two diaphragms extending from the housing and distal to one another along the length of the housing, the two diaphragms sharing a longitudinal axis with the housing, a processor, a storage device in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor, storing a machine learning algorithm and instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the antenna is operable to communicate with a remote transceiver, the remote transceiver being located on a pipeline through which the pipeline inspection device travels. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for using the same.

A system for dewatering a subsea gas pipeline includes a pig launcher at the pipeline's upper end, which may be at or near the sea surface, and a pig receiver at the pipeline's lower end, which may be at or near the sea floor. A multiphase pump unit is deployed at the pipeline lower end and is configured to provide sea water suction to aid in a pig train being forced downwards through pipeline. The multiphase pump is configured to handle some amount of gas leaking around the pig train. A choke system may allow sea water to enter the flowline, thereby lowering the gas volume fraction (GVF) and preventing the GVF from exceeding the ability of the multiphase pump. For deeper water applications, a second pump may be provided in series that may be a single pump if positioned downstream of the multiphase pump.