The present invention is directed to a system for welding together segments of a pipeline. The system includes an external alignment mechanism for externally supporting and manipulating the orientation of pipe segments in order to align relative segments. The system also includes an internal welding mechanism for applying a weld to an interior face joint of the two abutted pipe segments. The internal welding mechanism including a torch for applying a weld, a laser for tracking the weld profile and guiding an articulating head of the torch, and a camera for visually inspecting the weld after the weld is applied.

A method and device for location of pipes is disclosed. The method can comprise mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a first pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the first pipe and mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a second pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the second pipe. The method can further comprise determining a first distance between the center of the first pipe and a light emitting source at an observation point disposed between the first pipe and the second pipe and determining a second distance between the center of the second pipe and the light emitting source at the observation point.

A method of fabricating a metal pipeline by friction stir welding (FSW) along a circumferential interface includes spinning first and second FSW tools about respective axes of rotation in contact with a pipe wall to heat, plasticize, and stir respective zones of plasticized metal at the interface. The zone of plasticized metal produced by the second FSW tool extends deeper into the pipe wall than the zone of plasticized metal produced by the first FSW tool. Relative circumferential movement of the FSW tools along the interface is controlled such that the second FSW tool following the first FSW tool enters the zone of plasticized metal produced by the first FSW tool while the metal in that zone remains plastic.

A method of fabrication by friction stir welding (FSW) at an interface between adjoining components such as pipe lengths of a pipeline has layers of different metals on each side. FSW is performed from one side of the adjoining components by effecting relative movement of a first FSW tool along the interface. FSW is performed from an opposite side of the adjoining components by effecting relative movement of a second FSW tool along the interface. Advantageously, FSW is performed simultaneously from both sides of the adjoining components with the FSW tools applying loads in mutual opposition about the adjoining components.

Apparatus, systems, processes, control systems, means and methods for near-weld gas purging and welding. A focused circumferential near-weld purge gas delivery system for pipeline welding. A near-weld purge rig which has a near-weld purge gas channel and which achieves a low oxygen concentration proximate to a pipe gap for welding. The gas used for purging is also directed against an interior surface of the pipe to be welded. The directed gas cools the pipe to a desired temperature.

The invention relates to a device (1) for welding a first pipe segment (2) to a second pipe segment (3), wherein the device (1) can be inserted into the first and the second pipe segments (2, 3) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the device. Said device (1) has the following: a contact apparatus (6), which has a plurality of contact segments (7, 9), which can be moved radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the device (1) in order to bring the device in contact with the inside of the first pipe segment (2) and the second pipe segment (3), and a transmission apparatus (26), which is designed to convert an axial movement of the contact segments (7, 9) along the longitudinal axis (L) into the radial movement.

A method and device for location of pipes is disclosed. The method can comprise mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a first pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the first pipe and mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a second pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the second pipe. The method can further comprise determining a first distance between the center of the first pipe and a light emitting source at an observation point disposed between the first pipe and the second pipe and determining a second distance between the center of the second pipe and the light emitting source at the observation point.

An internal line-up clamp for welding pipe lengths end-to-end includes a clamp ring made up of a plurality of clamp ring elements that are angularly distributed around the circumference of the clamp ring. The clamp ring elements are divided into mutually opposed groups that are interdigitated such that the clamp ring elements alternate from one group to the other around the circumference of the clamp ring. A longitudinally-acting actuator system drives relative longitudinal movement of the groups to effect clamping expansion of the clamp ring by wedging interaction between the circumferentially-alternating clamp ring elements of the groups. By expanding the clamp ring in alignment with a weld plane between the abutting ends, the same clamp ring may be used to align the pipe lengths and to back a weld between them.

A weld system for welding two pipes includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a drive motor, a brake system, an inspection detector, a weld torch, one or more battery cells and one or more processors. The frame is configured to be placed within the pipes. The plurality of rollers is configured to rotatably support the frame. The drive motor drives the rollers to move the frame within the pipes. The brake system secures the frame from movement at a desired location within the pipes. The weld torch, the inspection detector and the one or more battery cells are carried by the frame. The inspection detector is configured to detect a characteristic of an interface region between the pipes. The one or more battery cells are configured to power the drive motor, the inspection detector and the weld torch.

System and method for decommissioning a pipeline. The system comprises a mechanical assembly and a chemical assembly. The mechanical assembly includes a main body and a contact assembly. When the mechanical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the contact assembly is configurable to contact with the interior wall of the pipeline. The chemical assembly is arranged serially in line with the mechanical assembly. The chemical assembly includes a front section having a cross-sectional portion configurable to resemble the cross-section of the pipeline and a rear section having a cross-sectional portion. The front and the rear section are arranged in such a way that, when the chemical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the cross-sectional portions of the front and the rear section cooperate with the interior wall of the pipeline to form a chamber operable to receive and house a removal medium. The system and the method can effectively and efficiently remove most or all of such residual mercury and/or other toxic substance from the interior wall of the pipeline before abandonment.