PIPELINE EXTERIOR BLASTING SYSTEM

A pipeline exterior blasting system, movably mounted to a pipeline, to blast only uncoated end sections of a first and second pipe at a weld site where the first and second pipes were welded together. Uniquely, there is a blasting containment device having: a fixed portion 22; a rotating containment portion 24 rotatably mounted to the fixed portion 22, and releasably and rotatively coupled to the second pipe 20B; a support devices system 106, coupled to the blasting containment device 12 via connections 107, including: a blasting device 16, a vacuum device 18; and an electrical power generator 14. Finally, there is a lateral movement system, coupled to the blasting containment device 12, having: a first position that holds the grit blasting containment device 12 in a fixed position as the grit blasting containment device blasts particles circumferentially around the two pipes; a second position that moving the grit blasting containment device off of the two pipes; and a third position that provides movement of the grit blasting containment device along the two pipes.