Abstract: A device for supporting a length of pipe adapted to carry oil or gas in a subterranean environment comprises a body of rigid synthetic polymeric foam material defining an upper face of the foam body arranged to substantially receive a weight of the length of pipe and a lower face arranged for contacting a ground surface. A planar sheet of reinforcing material which is substantially incompressible in a thickness direction thereof is connected to the foam body at or adjacent the upper face thereof in transverse orientation relative to a thickness direction of the foam body between the upper and lower faces thereof so that the reinforcing sheet is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the weight of the length of pipe exerted on the foam body.

Abstract: A kit for encapsulating a length of pipe features first and second foam sections cooperatively shaped to form a cavity with open ends in a working configuration of the foam sections for receiving the length of pipe therein. A low density foam, which is lower in density than the material of the foam sections, fills an unoccupied space in the cavity so as to provide cushioning for the length of pipe such that movement of the length of pipe within the cavity is permitted and stress on the length of pipe is reduced. The foam sections may be reinforced with reinforcing membranes carried in a main body of the respective foam section. The reinforcing membranes may act to hold the foam material of the respective section together and to prevent puncture along a full thickness of the foam sections from abrasive debris in the ground.

Abstract: A kit for encapsulating a length of pipe features first and second foam sections cooperatively shaped to form a cavity with open ends in a working configuration of the foam sections for receiving the length of pipe therein. A foam lower in density than the material of the foam sections fills an unoccupied space in the cavity, providing cushioning for the pipe in the cavity such that movement is permitted and stress on the pipe is reduced. The foam sections feature cooperating ridges and grooves at mating faces of the respective section which are on either side of a channel that cooperates with the channel of the other section to form the cavity. The ridges and grooves when mated hold the foam sections in fixed relation to one another. Also, the foam sections feature passageways such that the cavity is accessible from outside the foam sections in the working configuration thereby facilitating connection apparatus such as for cathodic protection equipment.

Abstract: A kit for encapsulating a length of pipe features first and second foam sections cooperatively shaped to form a cavity with open ends in a working configuration of the foam sections for receiving the length of pipe therein. A low density foam, which is lower in density than the material of the foam sections, fills an unoccupied space in the cavity so as to provide cushioning for the length of pipe such that movement of the length of pipe within the cavity is permitted and stress on the length of pipe is reduced. The foam sections may be reinforced with reinforcing membranes carried in a main body of the respective foam section. The reinforcing membranes may act to hold the foam material of the respective section together and to prevent puncture along a full thickness of the foam sections from abrasive debris in the ground.

Abstract: A reinforced foam block features a body of foam material forming a main body having a volume enclosed by at least one peripheral face. At least one body of reinforcing material, being more pressure resistant than the foam material before incurring permanent shape change and forming a sheet, is embedded in the body of foam material so as to be carried by the body of foam material in prescribed position within the main body. The respective body of reinforcing material provides strength to the main body against force applied to the main body in a direction transversely with respect to the prescribed surface area of the respective body of reinforcing material.