Methods and apparatus using a hydrocarbon gel to isolate mainline valves in a pipeline during a hydrotest
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United States of America Patent
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May 30, 1995
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Jun 18, 1993
filing date -
Jun 18, 1993
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the existing valves in a crude oil, gas, or other product pipeline are positively sealed off to allow a pressure test to be made of a section or segment of the pipeline between the valves. The section is packed with a hydrocarbon or aqueous liquid. A mixture of a highly viscous hydrocarbon based gel material and a lost-circulation material are injected into the pipeline segment adjacent each valve to form plugs in the line. The gel plugs are squeezed under pressure against the internal components of each valve to cause all leakage paths therein to be bridged over and sealed off. The pipeline segment then is pressure tested to determine if there are any leaks therein, after which the gel is flushed out of the line and broken down into a linear pumpable state for disposal.
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