Method and system for recovering, and displacing fluid from, a pipe

1. A method for displacing fluid from a pipe, the method comprising:

engaging a friction-pin unit with the pipe, the friction pin unit comprising a plurality of friction pins extending radially from a shaft, the plurality of friction pins being angulated relative to the shaft;

pumping a displacement agent into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system;

displacing away from the friction-pin unit, a fluid present within the pipe; and

lifting the pipe via a recovery head attached to the friction-pin unit.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the friction-pin unit is operatively coupled, via a conduit, to the displacement-agent source.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising sealing the pipe.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the displacement agent comprises at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed in the order listed.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the engaging comprises:

lowering the friction-pin unit to a required depth;

inserting the shaft of the friction-pin unit into the pipe; and

forming an interference fit between an inner surface of the pipe and the friction-pin unit via a plurality of friction pins.

7. The method of claim 2 , comprising a pig device disposed at a distal end of the friction-pin unit.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pig device moves along a length of the pipe responsive to pressure exerted on the pig device by the displacement agent.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the pig device removes the fluid from within the pipe.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the pig device comprises at least one of polypropylene and polyurethane.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the pig device comprises at least one of a foam or a gel.