The problem was then: how to abandon this main when it was suspended from a bridge with insufficient space to use traditional "bagging off" methods and cutting equipment, particularly since the operation needed to be carried out under "no-gas" conditions. Gaz de France engineer Bernard Dhaene, having previous experience of the effectiveness of using expanding resin foam in the "live" gas mains insertion process, called in Ets Kilkenny. It was decided to use techniques developed by Steve Vick International Ltd to drill and foam-off the main, allowing a section to be cut out. A cap was then welded to the live side and the dead leg of the main was purged. Steve Vick International's patented Foam Bag system uses a semi-porous bag which is remotely positioned in the pipe to hold the resin foam in place while it expands. At full expansion, some foam seeps through the material to adhere to the pipe wall. Foam Bag kits and application equipment are available for pipe diameters up to 12in (300mm) running at low pressure (below 50mbar). Above this size, and for all medium-pressure work, the company offers a contract service.