Abstract: A bi-directional pipeline tool has a body or location in a pipe. A seal element is mounted on the body, the seal element having oppositely directed seal portions with a first seal portion directed towards a first side of the body and a second seal portion directed towards a second side of the body. A valve is provided in the body, the valve having a first port for communicating with fluid on the first side, a second port for communicating with fluid on the second side, and a third port for providing access to a chamber between the seal element and the body. In use, a pressure differential is developed across the tool between fluid upstream of the tool and fluid downstream of the tool. The valve permitting activation of the downstream seal portion, whichever of the portions is the downstream seal portion, by the upstream fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus, such as a split sleeve clamp, has a body including a first body portion and a second body portion. Each body portion includes axially extending flanges having bores for receiving bolts and nuts to secure the body portions together. The apparatus includes a seal arrangement, a lock arrangement, and an actuation arrangement including an actuation member configured to both actuate the seal arrangement and activate the lock arrangement. The lock arrangement is carried by the actuation member of the actuation arrangement.

Abstract: An isolation plug for location in a section of pipe has three separate plug modules: a tug module an isolation module and a drag module. In use, the plug can be transported along the pipe and activated by a fluid pressure differential in the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus, such as a split sleeve clamp, has a body including a first body portion and a second body portion. Each body portion includes axially extending flanges having bores for receiving bolts and nuts to secure the body portions together. The apparatus includes a seal arrangement, a lock arrangement, and an actuation arrangement including an actuation member configured to both actuate the seal arrangement and activate the lock arrangement. The lock arrangement is carried by the actuation member of the actuation arrangement.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus suitable for use as a subsea repair clamp includes a sealing membrane with first and second portions for engaging an outer surface of a pipe. Retaining members are located in opposing relationship to each other about the sealing membrane and are secured to each other by a closure member. The retaining members retain sealing engagement between the sealing membrane and the pipe. Each of the retaining members can include axially spaced plates arranged generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of the sealing membrane.

Abstract: An isolation tool for isolating small bore pipe has a spigot having a proximal section with diameter and a distal section with smaller diameter. A seal is provided on the tool around the smaller diameter section. In some embodiments, the isolation tool is located through a hole in the wall of the pipe and through a second hole in the opposite wall of the pipe, the tool arranged so that when the tool is located through the second hole the seal fills the bore of the pipe and isolates a section of the pipe. In other embodiments, the tool may be located between severed pipe sections.

Abstract: A pipe end-sealing tool includes a body. A seal is mounted on the body and is adapted to apply a sealing pressure to an inner wall of a pipe end to be sealed. A lock is also mounted on the body and is adapted to engage an outer wall of the pipe end. Thus, a load applied to the pipe wall by the lock opposes the sealing pressure.

Abstract: An isolation tool is adapted for location in a pipe and includes a first plug module and a second plug module. The first plug module is configurable to grip the pipe and permit fluid bypass, to prevent fluid bypass without gripping the pipe, and to isolate the pipeline with gripping and leak tight sealing allowing a section to be fully de-pressurised. In use, the first and second plug modules are inserted into opposite ends of the pipe. The first plug module is pigged to a location in the second mode with a seal against the pipe but no grip then is configured in the fluid bypass mode when the second plug module is travelling through the pipe so that fluid displaced by the second plug module bypasses the first plug module. The second plug module and first plug module are then sealingly secured to the pipe to isolate a section of the pipe wall having a restriction.

Abstract: An isolation tool assembly for use in isolating a section of a pipe has a seal unit in the form of spherical globe seal module and a lock arrangement. The seal module has a first body portion onto which are mounted two compression seal elements. In use, the seal elements engage the pipe to isolated the section of pipe and the lock arrangement prevents undesired deactivation of the seal elements where the pressure applied across the seal elements drops below a seal self-energization pressure.

Abstract: A method of isolating a section of pipe includes the steps of locating a seal unit having two seal elements in a pipe via a penetration in the pipe, such as a branch or tee. The seal unit is then positioned in the pipe downstream of the penetration. The seal elements are activated using a primary activation mechanism to engage the pipe wall and then maintained in an activated condition using a secondary activation mechanism.

Abstract: A test tool for use in testing a tubular component such as a pipe includes a body having first and second body portions together defining a sliding sleeve. Axially spaced sealing and gripping modules are provided, with one module located on the first body portion and another module located on the second body portion. A force-generating arrangement is provided to apply an axial test force to the tubular component via the modules. A test pressure is applied to a section of the wall of the tubular component and an axial load is applied to the wall section. Application of the axial load between the first and second modules applies the axial load to the wall section of the tubular component to facilitate strength testing of the tubular component.

Abstract: A coupling device provides a pre-tensioned coupling between a first member and a second member. The members are arranged to define a sealed compartment. A piston is housed within the compartment and is translated between the first member and the second member. A first ratchet lock is mounted within the second member and on translation of the piston, the first ratchet lock engages with the piston. A second ratchet is mounted within the second member and, on translation of the piston into the second member, the piston engages with the ratchet. The second ratchet is mounted on a piston, and translation of the second ratchet on the piston applies a tensile force to the first piston to tension or pre-tension the piston. As the ratchets substantially prevent reverse movement of the piston, the tensile force is retained.

Abstract: An isolation tool is adapted for location in a pipe and includes a first plug module and a second plug module. The first plug module is configurable to grip the pipe and permit fluid bypass, to prevent fluid bypass without gripping the pipe, and to isolate the pipeline with gripping and leak tight sealing allowing a section to be fully de-pressurised. In use, the first and second plug modules are inserted into opposite ends of the pipe. The first plug module is pigged to a location in the second mode with a seal against the pipe but no grip then is configured in the fluid bypass mode when the second plug module is travelling through the pipe so that fluid displaced by the second plug module bypasses the first plug module. The second plug module and first plug module are then sealingly secured to the pipe to isolate a section of the pipe wall having a restriction.

Abstract: A pipeline isolation plug for location in a section of pipe has two seal modules coupled together by a ball joint. The first module has a mandrel defining a pressure head which, in use, is exposed to the pipeline pressure. A seal element is mounted behind the pressure head and is radially extendable to engage a pipe inner wall. The second module has a mandrel defining a pressure head which, in use, is exposed to the fluid pressure between the first and second modules. Two axially spaced seal elements are mounted on the mandrel behind the pressure head and are radially extendable to engage the pipe inner wall.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus suitable for use as a subsea repair clamp includes a sealing membrane with first and second portions for engaging an outer surface of a pipe. Retaining members are located in opposing relationship to each other about the sealing membrane and are secured to each other by a closure member. The retaining members retain sealing engagement between the sealing membrane and the pipe. Each of the retaining members can include axially spaced plates arranged generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of the sealing membrane.

Abstract: A test tool assembly for use in testing a tubular component, such as a pipe section, is mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe section. The assembly includes a force-generating arrangement for generating and applying an axial load to the pipe section. One end of the force-generating arrangement is secured to an outer surface of the pipe section by a split sleeve clamp mounted on an external gripping member. The other end of the arrangement features sockets which engage nuts provided on studs which extend into bolt holes in the pipe section. The force-generating arrangement further includes an array of hydraulic actuators mounted around the pipe section between the split sleeve clamp and the sockets. The tool assembly will typically be used in combination with a pressure test tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a pipe having a defect or penetration comprises a housing coupled to the pipe by a clamp member. A piston is mounted in the housing and the piston and housing define a chamber. The piston further comprises a port for providing fluid communication between the pipe and the chamber. A seal member is provided between the piston and the pipe and, in use, the apparatus is located over and/or around the defect or penetration in the pipe such that the seal member engages the pipe. The piston is urged towards the pipe by a fluid pressure force generated by fluid in the pipe thereby maintain sealing engagement between the seal member and the pipe and to prevent leakage of fluid through the penetration.

Abstract: A pipe end-sealing tool includes a body. A seal is mounted on the body and is adapted to apply a sealing pressure to an inner wall of a pipe end to be sealed. A lock is also mounted on the body and is adapted to engage an outer wall of the pipe end. Thus, a load applied to the pipe wall by the lock opposes the sealing pressure.

Abstract: A coupling device provides a pre-tensioned coupling between a first member and a second member. The members are arranged to define a sealed compartment. A piston is housed within the compartment and is translated between the first member and the second member. A first ratchet lock is mounted within the second member and on translation of the piston, the first ratchet lock engages with the piston. A second ratchet is mounted within the second member and, on translation of the piston into the second member, the piston engages with the ratchet. The second ratchet is mounted on a piston, and translation of the second ratchet on the piston applies a tensile force to the first piston to tension or pre-tension the piston. As the ratchets substantially prevent reverse movement of the piston, the tensile force is retained.

Abstract: A method of isolating a section of pipe includes the steps of locating a seal unit having two seal elements in a pipe via a penetration in the pipe, such as a branch or tee. The seal unit is then positioned in the pipe downstream of the penetration. The seal elements are activated using a primary activation mechanism to engage the pipe wall and then maintained in an activated condition using a secondary activation mechanism.