Importance

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Abstract

In a method for reinforcing defective portions of a pipeline, the defective portions are identified by conventional techniques, soil is excavated from around the pipeline to expose the deteriorated portions, any corrosion protection material is removed and the surface of the pipeline is cleaned. Gouges, dents and corrosion pitting are filled with an uncured filler material and, while the filler material is in an uncured workable state, a plurality of convolutions of a high tensile strength material are wrapped around the defective portion of the pipeline with a layer of a curable adhesive applied between adjacent convolutions. The adhesive then cures to a strongly adhesive state and the filler material cures to a rigid state capable of transferring the fluid pressure load within the pipeline almost instantaneously to the reinforcement band. Optionally, a layer of adhesive may be applied between the pipeline surface and the first convolution of the reinforcement band, in which case the adhesive must be compatible with the filler material so that both materials are able to cure fully, and also compatible with any corrosion protection material remaining on the pipeline. The method may be employed to reinforce both straight and bent portions of a pipeline.

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First Claim