Importance

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Abstract

A pipe joint weld collar and method of installation is disclosed for an offshore oil/gas pipeline for covering contiguous end portions of a pair of pipes joined together by a metal weld. A coating of a high specific gravity material, such as concrete or the like is applied to the outer periphery of the pair of pipes to prevent floating of the pipes when oil or gas of less density than water is transported therethrough. The contiguous welded end portions of the pipes are void of concrete to form a peripheral recess or cutback providing access to the pipe end portions for welding. The collar comprises a plastic sheet spanning the recess and wrapped around the end portions of the coating for covering the recess. Clamp bands are placed around the wrapped sheet to prevent movement thereof on the concrete coatings and to hold the sheets in position for tack welding. The clamped and tack-welded sheet is permanently secured to end portions of the coating by a plastic weld securing one sheet end portion to the overlapped end sheet portion.

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First Claim