Abstract: An apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, such as a heat shrinkable sleeve applied around a welded pipe joint during pipeline construction. The apparatus is in the form of a frame which can be disposed around the article, the frame having a heater device having both longitudinally disposed heating zones and radially disposed heating sectors, each of which can be independently controlled. Alternatively, or in combination, the apparatus can have an air circulation system. Also, a method for shrinking a heat shrinkable sleeve comprising use of said apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a new internal weld blasting system for blasting the internal surfaces of pipes, and the method of use thereof. The system comprises a control cage having two relatively narrow openings. An impeller forces abrasives onto a blast wheel, which in turn sprays the abrasives onto the internal surfaces of the pipes.

Abstract: A concrete coating composition, containing a thermally stable cement, glass bubbles, porous glass spheres or aerogel or a combination thereof, and glass fibers. Also, disclosed is a coated pipe having the concrete coating composition disclosed herein. The coated pipes disclosed herein can be thermally insulated, impact and abrasion resistant, flexible pipeline that can be used in downhole steam injection operations and for extracting hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An internal quench system for cooling pipes being coated is provided. The system comprises an internal quench lance having spray nozzles configured at one end of the internal quench lance. There is also provided wheels and retractable supports to support the internal quench lance without hindering the movement of the pipes. Each retract support is provided with a liquid coolant supplying means to provide liquid coolant to the internal quench lance. A process for using the internal quench system for cooling pipes being coated is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, using electrofusion to fusion bond a casing of similar, non-crosslinked polymer to the outer surface of the tubular sections.

Abstract: An automated heat shrink device, useful for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, for example, a connection between two sections of a district heating pipeline, and a method of use thereof. The device is configured such that it requires minimal clearance to either side of the pipeline when being used.

Abstract: A method for forming a high temperature field joint between two insulated pipe sections, and an insulated conduit having a low temperature field joint. The conduit comprises a steel pipe with a corrosion protection coating and a pipe insulation layer comprising a polymer composition having thermal conductivity of less than about 0.40 W/mk, and/or heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C. After a circumferential weld joint is formed between the two pipes, a first field joint insulation layer is applied over the joint area, the first field joint insulation layer comprises a polymer composition having heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C.

Abstract: A method for forming a high temperature field joint between two insulated pipe sections, and an insulated conduit having a low temperature field joint. The conduit comprises a steel pipe with a corrosion protection coating and a pipe insulation layer comprising a polymer composition having thermal conductivity of less than about 0.40 W/mk, and/or heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C. After a circumferential weld joint is formed between the two pipes, a first field joint insulation layer is applied over the joint area, the first field joint insulation layer comprises a polymer composition having heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C.

Abstract: A method of coating a field joint, pipe sections for forming a coated field joint, and a coated field joint formed thereby. First and second angular cut backs are provided in the parent coating of each pipe section. The first angular cut back is at an angle of about 30°±5° relative to the longitudinal axis of the field joint, and the second angular cut back is positioned further from the field joint than the first angular cut back. The first and second angular cut backs result in the parent coating having a stepped profile, a step in the stepped profile between the first and second angular cut backs, the is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field joint and is free of indentations. The field joint coating is injection moulded to have an upstand that is less than or equal to about 5 mm.

Abstract: A flexible pipe includes: an inner liner formed as a tube and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner diameter; a reinforcement layer bonded to the inner liner and including at least a first ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped in a first helical direction about the inner liner and a second ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped about the first ply of reinforcing tape, the second ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped in a second helical direction opposite to the first helical direction; and an outer jacket applied over and bonded to the reinforcement layer, the outer jacket including a thermoplastic. A reinforcing tape for use in the pipe or other applications includes: a plurality of reinforcing fibers and a matrix about the plurality of reinforcing fibers to hold the reinforcing fibers in the form of a tape, the matrix including thermoplastic and an additive to increase the impact resistance of the thermoplastic.

Abstract: A method of coating a field joint and a coated field joint formed thereby. The field joint coating includes a first thermal insulation material injection molded over the uncoated field joint to form a first layer, and a second thermal insulation material injection molded over the first layer to form a second layer. The second material has a greater flexibility than the first material and a lower maximum operating temperature than the first material. In certain embodiments, the second material forms a significant part of the volume of the field joint coating.

Abstract: A method of providing a foamed insulation coating on at least a portion of a pipe, including extruding a melt stream over the pipe portion. The melt stream includes a matrix polymer and expandable fillers in an unexpanded state, the melt stream being maintained at a sufficiently high temperature to maintain the matrix polymer in extrudable form and at a sufficiently high pressure to maintain the expandable fillers in the unexpanded state. Once extruded, the expandable fillers are permitted to expand into an expanded state at a lower pressure.

Abstract: A thermally insulated tubular made up of a first pipe having a first pipe diameter and a second pipe having a second pipe diameter. The second pipe diameter is greater than the first pipe diameter. The first pipe positioned along a conduit of the second pipe and spaced-apart from an interior surface of the first pipe. A thermally insulating composition coupling the first pipe to the second pipe and positioned in an annulus formed by the first and second pipe. The thermally insulating composition containing a thermally insulating or thermal shock resistant layer and a thermally insulating concrete composition.

Abstract: A three layer laminate wrap or sleeve for use in oil and gas pipeline applications. The wrap or sleeve comprises an outer, cross-linked polyolefin layer, an inner adhesive layer, and an intermediate layer comprising a non-cross- linked polyolefin. The intermediate layer permits the use of a thinner adhesive layer, resulting in lower costs overall.

Abstract: Foam filling a cavity in a joint between insulated pipe lengths by wrapping a fiber reinforced plastic mold sheet around the cavity or applying a casing around the cavity, with a securing element supplied on the mold sheet to resist separating movements of the ends of the mold sheet or one or more flexible tensile members wrapped around the casing, to resist ballooning of the casing on expansion of a foam filling introduced into the mold or into the casing.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for forming a pipe connection includes: a wall formed as a tube and including an inner surface defining an inner diameter and an outer surface; an electrical conductor supported by the wall and extending about a circumference of the coupling; and a pair of contacts exposed on the outer surface and electrically in contact with the electrical conductor for connecting an electrical power source to the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for external inspection of a pipeline circumferential weld. This comprises a radiation source (5) and radiation detector (3). Both units are controllably movable around a drive band or track (7) which is fitted around the circumferential weld. To align the source with the detector the source and detector are moved with respect to each other clockwise and anticlockwise around an initial position while sampling the radiation detected at a number of positions. A position of maximum strength of the radiation signal detected can then be determined such that the center point of the radiation source may be located. The source and detector are then substantially aligned with each other and means are provided to move the source and detector circumferentially around the weld while remaining substantially in alignment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for coating the interior of a pipe. The machine can be pulled through and positioned within a pipe or pipeline by a internal pipe tractor, and can be used to apply viscous liquids, including two part epoxies and urethanes, to the interior wall of the pipe. The machine is typically used for the overcoating of portions of pipe having defects in their internal coatings, for example, at their girth welds.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for x-ray inspection of a pipeline girth weld. This comprises a directional x-ray source 5 which is insertable into a pipeline section and is rotatable within the pipeline. Means are provided to align the directional x-ray source with an external x-ray detector such that both may be rotated through 360 degrees substantially coaxially with the pipeline section. Means for sampling the data detected by the x-ray detector are provided so that it may be further analyzed.

Abstract: A polymeric composition for insulating fluid and/or gas transport conduits, such as off-shore oil and gas pipelines operating at temperatures of about 200° C. or higher in water depths above 1,000 metres. The outer surface of the conduit is provided with at least one layer of solid or foam insulation comprising a high temperature resistant polysulfone having sulfone, ether and isopropylidene bridging groups, and/or a polyphenylsulfone or a polyethersulfone.