Patent ID: 7270139

Claim:
A method of plugging a pipeline employing a cam-assisted, wedge actuated, metal-to-metal seal, block and bleed plugging tool comprising the steps of: (a) sealably securing onto the exterior of the pipeline first and second spaced apart collars, each collar having a sealing face in a plane perpendicular the pipeline axis; (b) cutting and removing a length of pipeline from between said collars leaving two open pipe ends; (c) positioning first and second seal cups between said collars, each seal cup having on a forward face a forwardly extending circumferential lip of internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the pipeline, each seal cup having a top and a bottom cam followers; and (d) moving opposed sides of a wedge against rearward faces of said seal cups to force said seal cups apart from each other and said circumferential lips thereof into metal-to-metal sealing engagement with said sealing faces of said collars, closing said pipe.