Systems and methods for protecting a tether line disposed in a pressurized pipe

A system for protecting a tether line attached to an inspection probe for use in a pipe containing fluid at an elevated pressure above an ambient pressure, the system comprising:

• a launch housing defining an interior chamber sized to receive the inspection probe, the launch housing including a first end fluidly communicating with the pipe, thereby to place the interior chamber at the elevated pressure, the launch housing joining the pipe at a cut line formed in the pipe that defines prominent edges;
• a reel for winding and unwinding the tether line;
• a tether line drive coupled to the tether line and configured to advance and retract the inspection probe within the pipe;
• and
• a protective structure disposed within the pipe and positioned proximate the prominent edges of the cut line, the protective structure configured maintain a space between an intermediate portion of the tether line and the prominent edges of the cut line.

A method of protecting a tether line attached to an inspection probe for use in a pipe containing fluid at an elevated pressure above an ambient pressure, the method comprising:

• hot-tapping the pipe including forming a cut line in the pipe that defines prominent edges at an interior surface of the pipe;
• attaching a launch housing to the pipe, the launch housing defining an interior chamber sized to receive the inspection probe and fluidly communicating with the pipe, thereby to place the interior chamber at the elevated pressure;
• securing an uphole end of the tether line to a reel;
• mechanically engaging the tether line with a tether line drive, wherein the tether line drive is operable in a forward direction, to advance the tether line into the pipe, and a reverse direction, to retract the tether line from the pipe;
• and
• engaging an intermediate portion of the tether line with a protective structure disposed inside one of the pipe and the launch housing, thereby to maintain a space between the intermediate portion of the tether line and the prominent edges of the cut line.