Method and apparatus of hot tapping multiple coaxial or nested strings of underwater piping and/or tubing for overturned wells or platforms
AssigneeAes-Eot Equipment Holdings, LLC
InventorsHarry McGraw, Leslie M. Bland, Daniel S. Bangert, Mark F. Gravouia, Rizal Masingkan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for tapping into a pressurized multiple strings of coaxially situated tubulars for wells and/or platforms which have overturned wherein the tapping occurs underwater via a diver or remotely operated vehicle. The assembly includes a tapping tool connectable to the tubular via a saddle connection and an adjustable tapping clamp with adjustable support/locking feet, compression plate with view ports, and angularly adjustable hot tapping system, along with a drill/saw system.
Claims20
A system for hot tapping a plurality of nested pipes including an exterior pipe having a bore and at least one interior pipe contained within the bore comprising:
- (a) a hot tap tool guide assembly supported by the exterior pipe, the assembly including at least one plate having a plate opening:
- (b) a hot tapping tool, the tool including a hot tapping tip;
- (c) a seal member on the hot tapping tool which creates a seal between the hot tapping tool and a selected one of the pipes;
- and
- (d) the hot tap tool guide assembly including a swiveling connection opening for supporting the hot tapping tip wherein the tip can be swiveled and articulated relative to the plate and wherein the tip is extendable through the plate opening.
A method of tapping hot tapping a plurality of nested pipes having an exterior pipe and at least one interior pipe comprising the steps of:
- (a) supporting a hot tapping tool with the exterior pipe;
- (b) articulating and swiveling the hot tapping tool in relation to at least one of the plurality of nested pipes;
- (c) providing a seal member on the hot tapping tool that creates a sealing connection with an exterior surface of a selected one of the plurality of nested pipes;
- and
- (d) hot tapping to at least two selected pipes from the selected plurality of the nested pipes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.