Method and system for recovering and displacing fluid from a pipe

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

1 . A system comprising:
 a displacement-agent source containing a displacement agent;   a friction-pin unit fluidly coupled to the displacement-agent source, the friction-pin unit comprising:
 a sleeve; 
 a guide cone formed at a first end of the sleeve; 
 a shaft disposed coaxially within the sleeve; and 
 a plurality of friction pins extending radially outward from the shaft, the plurality of friction pins being angulated relative to the shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a pig device disposed at a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pig device comprises at least one of polypropylene and polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pig device comprises at least one of a foam or a gel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displacement-agent source is fluidly coupled to the friction-pin unit via a valve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the friction-pin unit allows manipulation and retrieval of a pipe having a fluid disposed therein. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the displacement agent is lighter than the fluid and substantially removes the fluid from the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displacement agent comprises at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel.