I vote: #2
I don't see any way they'll get a good seal with the jagged cut they have. There's going to be a LOT of leakage..
I think, the methanol will help prevent the methane crystals....
But... it's going to tough to get any kind of seal around that.
Well remember that this cap seals to the radial surface of the flange.
wish I knew if it’s 10 mins or 3 hours til they try to do the mating.........
I believe the bell is big enough to go over the outside of the flange, and removing the 21” pipe was just to get it out of the way.