Restraint system and method for high pressure pipeline

Abstract

Restraints are used to restrain a pipeline having pipe segments coupled together in an end-to-end manner. A first restraint is coupled to first and second pipe segments, which are non-adjacent to one another. A second restraint is coupled to third and fourth non-adjacent pipe segments, wherein the third pipe segment is between the first and second pipe segments. The first and second restraints are coupled together at an overlapping portion.

1 . A pipeline restraint system, comprising:
 pipe segments having ends coupled together in an end-to-end manner to form the pipeline, each of the pipe segments having an upstream end and a downstream end, the pipeline having an upstream end and a downstream end;   b) a first restraint coupled to a first pipe segment and coupled to a second pipe segment, the second pipe segment being upstream from the first pipe segment and non-adjacent to the first pipe segment;   c) a second restraint coupled to a third pipe segment and coupled to a fourth pipe segment, the third pipe segment being between the first and second pipe segments, the fourth pipe segment located downstream of the first pipe segment;   d) the first and second restraints coupled to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second restraints are coupled to each other at a location adjacent to the coupling of the first and second pipe segments. 
     
     
         3 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 2  wherein the first and second restraints are coupled to each other by a ring. 
     
     
         4 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 1  wherein the first restraint is coupled to the upstream end of the first pipe segment and to the downstream end of the second pipe segment. 
     
     
         5 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 4  wherein the second restraint is coupled to the downstream end of the third pipe segment and to the upstream end of the fourth pipe segment. 
     
     
         6 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 1  wherein the first restraint is coupled to the first and second pipe segments by looping portions of the restraint around the respective first and second pipe segments and securing the respective loop so that the respective loop is self-tightening. 
     
     
         7 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 6  wherein the respective loop is secured by a ring. 
     
     
         8 . The pipeline restraint system of  claim 1  further comprising a third restraint coupled to the third pipe segment and to an anchor, the third restraint coupled to the first restraint. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled)