US 12,345,367 B2
System and method for evacuating pipeline product from an isolated section of pipeline
Joseph Alan Morton, Tulsa, OK (US); Richard Brooks Williamson, Tulsa, OK (US); Lawrence Dean Alspaugh, Haskell, OK (US); Jonathan Luke Beam, Broken Arrow, OK (US); David Kenneth Turner, Jenks, OK (US); Darrin Kenneth Turner, Jenks, OK (US); and Robert Bockmeulen, Tulsa, OK (US)
Assigned to R.B. Williamson Energy Advisors LLC, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed by R.B. Williamson Energy Advisors LLC, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed on Aug. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/795,835.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/617,822, filed on Jan. 5, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/597,000, filed on Nov. 8, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0146612 A1, May 8, 2025
Int. Cl. F16L 55/48 (2006.01); F16L 55/162 (2006.01); F16L 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 55/48 (2013.01) [F16L 55/162 (2013.01); F16L 2101/00 (2013.01)] 49 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for emptying a pipeline fluid contained between a first end and a second end of an isolated section of pipeline, the pipeline fluid being contained in the isolated section at a pipeline pressure above atmospheric pressure, the method comprising:
injecting an inert fluid into the isolated section at a first location along the isolated section at a pressure above the pipeline pressure, the inert fluid displacing the pipeline fluid along the isolated section as the inert fluid moves toward the second end; and
flowing the displaced pipeline fluid out of the isolated section at a second location along the isolated section and into a non-isolated section of pipeline located outside of the second end.