Bi-directional thruster pig apparatus and method of utilizing same

Abstract

A retrievable pig apparatus having a substantially cylindrical body portion, the body portion having a central flow bore therethrough, and secured to coiled tubing, including a central fluid flow bore in fluid communication with the interior bore of the coiled tubing; a plurality of flow bores spaced equally apart within the body, with the flow bores allowing fluid flow to be injected at a certain predetermined pressure through the flow bores, so as to be emitted on the front end of the pig for defining a high pressure spray of fluid or the like material to break up blockages of debris in the pipeline, such as paraffin or the like; the debris retrieved through the central bore back into the coiled tubing to be stored in a tank or the like on the surface. There is further included a plurality of flexible cups, spaced apart along the outer wall of the pig body, each cup secured to an interior metallic ring around the body of the pig, with the flexible cups making contact with the wall of the pipeline so as to provide a continuous fluid seal between the wall of the pipeline and the ends of the plurality of flexible cups. Intermediate each cup there is provided a compressible safety ring, which will compress under excess pipeline pressure, thus allowing the fluid to flow past the plurality of flexible cups, reducing the pressure in the pipeline. Further there is provided within the plurality of six flow bores around the interior flow bore, for adjusting the force that is allowed to flow through the plurality of bores in either direction by providing a first and second thruster springs of a pre-determined compressible force for allowing the spring to be compressed and effecting fluid flow therethrough in the direction in which the flow is to travel in the bores.

Description

technical field [0001] The device of the invention relates to a device for inserting a pipe along a pipeline, well or open hole. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bi-directional propulsion pig device capable of inserting a serpentine pipe along a pipeline in deep water to maintain the pipeline and remove such as ozokerite, hydrate, pipe scale, and other solid debris Obstacles are removed. The pipeline may be a vertical or horizontal well, part of a pipeline, or a combination of both. More particularly, the device and method of use of the present invention provide a two-way propulsion system by using a replaceable, adjustable double-acting check valve, the hydraulic propulsion pressure is preset and determined before work or Live changes. The bi-directional fluid flow feature of the device allows the device to be withdrawn from the pipeline after it has completed its cleaning function by eliminating or reducing the hydraulic or static pressure on the pig ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This device, although effective, cannot be used to allow the device to continue moving forward in the pipeline while obstructions in the pipeline are being cleared

Also, unlike the present invention, the pressurized fluid is injected through the holes of the coil via a single nozzle at the front end of the pig, which limits its movement and cleaning ability in the pipeline

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