US 11,786,944 B2 · Method and kit for removing trapped hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe extending upwardly from the through pipe, and in fluid communication therewith, the at least one up-pipe containing the hydrocarbons;

the method comprising:
flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid;
wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas which lowers the density of the water-based liquid to less than that of the hydrocarbons;
and
displacing the hydrocarbons trapped in the at least one up-pipe into the through pipe, by the water-based liquid.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and kit for removing trapped hydrocarbons

Life of this patent

Method and kit for removing trapped hydrocarbons

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16