PLUGGING PIPES

摘要

In plugging a pipe or pipe fitting in gas tight manner enabling the sealing of a branch tapping (26) in a main pipe (27) without disrupting gas flow in the main pipe, a hole is drilled in gas tight manner through the wall of the branch pipe (26) such that the through axis of the hole is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pipe at the point of drilling. An expandable bung (16) is located in the entrance of the branch pipe to the main pipe via the hole under gas tight conditions, and is expandable to form a gas tight seal at the pipe entrance prior to severing the branch pipe.