Methods of remotely facilitating the transition between flooding and hydrotesting a subsea pipeline include a control unit of a subsea valve actuation system closing off fluid flow out of the pipeline at the receiving end thereof based at least partially upon one or more signals emitted by at least one intelligent pig that has passed through the pipeline during flooding and without the involvement of an external source at the surface, or a UV, at the pig receiving end of the pipeline.

Methods of remotely facilitating the transition between hydrotesting and dewatering of a subsea pipeline include a control unit of a subsea valve actuation system determining when hydrotesting of the pipeline has been completed and autonomously allowing fluid flow out of the pipeline at the receiving end thereof without the involvement of an external source at the surface, or a UV, at the pig receiving end of the pipeline to allow dewatering the pipeline from the launch end of the pipeline.

A method of inhibiting leakage of a fluid through a defect (4) in a wall of a pipe (2), comprising the steps: introducing a loss control medium (30) into a first portion of a pipe (2); conveying the loss control medium (30) along the pipe from the first portion to a second portion of the pipe, wherein the second portion is embedded in a porous medium and has a defect (4) through which fluid conveyed by the pipe during normal use leaks into the porous medium; and applying a pressure to the loss control medium (30) such that at least a portion of the loss control medium (30) is expelled from the pipe through the defect (4) into the porous medium thereby causing the loss control medium to accumulate within the porous medium in the vicinity of the defect which inhibits flow of a liquid through the defect into the porous medium.

An improved pipeline leak detecting pig apparatus configured to locate leaks in the wall of a pipeline as the apparatus is pushed by pressurized fluid through the pipeline. The apparatus is configured with or without absolute pressure sensors and a flow meter configured to detect fluid flow through a controlled volume on the pig passing a leak in the pipeline and pressurized fluid in the controlled volume escapes through the leak. Pressure sensors, when provided, provide a secondary confirmation of the presence of a leak and the degree of severity when an absolute pressure drop in the controlled volume occurs. Onboard microcontrollers record continuous odometer pulses, apparatus diagnostic information and pressure and flow measurements for later analysis, quantification and determination of leak location.

An improved pipeline leak detecting pig apparatus configured to locate leaks in the wall of a pipeline as the apparatus is pushed by pressurized fluid through the pipeline. The apparatus is configured with or without absolute pressure sensors and a flow meter configured to detect fluid flow through a controlled volume on the pig passing a leak in the pipeline and pressurized fluid in the controlled volume escapes through the leak. Pressure sensors, when provided, provide a secondary confirmation of the presence of a leak and the degree of severity when an absolute pressure drop in the controlled volume occurs. Onboard microcontrollers record continuous odometer pulses, apparatus diagnostic information and pressure and flow measurements for later analysis, quantification and determination of leak location.

A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

A system and method enable pressure testing a specimen with a portable module for deployment to a field site of the specimen, such as a pipeline. The module includes a processor capable of controlling various devices, such as valves and pumps, and recording sensed data from multiple sources, such as pressure/temperature/flow sensors, cameras and weather feed. The processor may receive input operation specifications for execution to perform the testing with limited human interaction through pressurization, hold and depressurization phases of the testing. The module includes safety features that may avoid over pressurization, require operator identifiers or initiate interlock protocols upon the processor detecting an anomaly. The processor then outputs notifications and reports of desired parameters from the test.

A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

The system utilizes conductivity equipment as well as a camera, pressure sensor, and acoustic hydrophone within a probe deployed via cable into a pipe to be inspected. The probe completes an electric circuit back to ground when the probe is adjacent a defect through which electric currents can pass, thus producing varying electric current. The camera, incorporated into the electric probe, is utilized for both inspection and navigation through the pipe by providing a close-circuit video data feed. The pressure sensor detects alterations in the pressure and flow field of the fluidic region in the area of a leak. The acoustic hydrophone listens for the sound leaks in pressurize pipes may create. The inspection device is tethered to a cable and inserted a measured distance into the pipeline, typically with the pipeline under pressure, via a launch tube. Multi-sensor data versus pipe position is thus obtained.

A system and method enable pressure testing a specimen with a portable module for deployment to a field site of the specimen, such as a pipeline. The module includes a processor capable of controlling various devices, such as valves and pumps, and recording sensed data from multiple sources, such as pressure/temperature/flow sensors, cameras and weather feed. The processor may receive input operation specifications for execution to perform the testing with limited human interaction through pressurization, hold and depressurization phases of the testing. The module includes safety features that may avoid over pressurization, require operator identifiers or initiate interlock protocols upon the processor detecting an anomaly. The processor then outputs notifications and reports of desired parameters from the test.