Moored Wellhead Effluent Capture and Concrete Application Apparatus

Abstract

An improved moored wellhead effluent capture apparatus consists of multiple nested pressure resisting enclosures with open bottoms and increasing outside dimensions, interconnected with structure and resting on a common plane, the seabed, for encasing wellheads. Each surface of said pressure resisting enclosure is disposed with aligned holes of similar diameter for the purpose of connecting pipes used for a multitude of functions. The apparatus deployment over a blown out wellhead can be accomplished by lowering the apparatus over the drill pipe, allowing the pipe to pass through an open hatch in the top while descending to enclose the wellhead on the seabed for removal of the effluent through a conduit located on an auxiliary pipe flange. The removal of fluid from inside the void between the pressure resisting enclosures results in a net force from the hydrostatic pressure pushing the apparatus into the seabed, effectively mooring the structure around the wellhead. The said moored wellhead effluent capture apparatus aids blown out, existing, and new wellheads by providing a multitude of means for the installation of structural reinforcement, the placement of concrete and aggregate for encasement of the well pipe or wellhead, both above and below the seabed, and the excavation of for subsea foundations.

1 . An improved moored wellhead effluent capture apparatus including rigid means for collecting at least hydrocarbons leaking from an underwater source in which the improvement comprises rigid means for the reduction of pressure between a larger vacuum vessel surrounding and contiguous to an effluent capture vessel so that the hydrostatic pressure above said vacuum vessel slidably forces the effluent capture apparatus into the seabed to a predetermined depth, thereby surrounding subsea equipment and existing pipe located on the seabed with said moored wellhead effluent capture apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of nested pressure vessels with open lower ends and closed upper ends, said closed upper ends each being provided with at least one opening therein, disposed above and surrounding the underwater leak, said open lower ends of the pressure vessels disposed with the seabed; and   a vertical pressure vessel fayed to and projected from said opening in said upper end of the effluent capture vessel, fayed to said opening in said upper end of said vacuum vessel, projecting vertically from said vacuum vessel, fayed to a concave pressure vessel with open lower end and a closed upper end, said closed upper end being provided with at least one opening therein; and   a dogged articulate hatch fayed to said opening of said upper end of said concave pressure vessel, the open dogged hatch allowing means for aligning the disposed vertical conduit providing means for extracting the hydrocarbons from the subsea equipment; and   an inclined vertical pressure vessel fayed to and projected from said opening in said upper end of the effluent capture vessel, fayed to and contiguous to said opening in the said vacuum vessel, inclined from said vacuum vessel, fayed to a shutoff valve disposed to and fayed to a pipe connector, disposed to and fayed to an angled vertical pressure vessel, disposed to and fayed to a conical cylinder with open lower end and a open upper end, said upper end having the larger diameter therein; and   a slidable conduit edge disposed to said conical cylinder fayed with said pipe connector, the conduit to provide means to extract said leaking hydrocarbons contained within said effluent capture vessel cavity; and   a multitude of structural members contiguous to and fayed to said effluent capture vessel and said vacuum vessel; and   providing means for removing or adding fluid from the void between said effluent capture vessel and said vacuum vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for providing vertical cylinders fayed to said open lower ends of said concentric pressure vessels, further including a plurality of perpendicular flanges fayed to said vertical cylinders, disposed in proximity to the open lower ends of said concentric pressure vessels, disposed in a single horizontal plane and contiguous with the seabed, providing means for stopping the descent of the vertical cylinders into said seabed. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for removing or adding fluid or slurry to the effluent capture apparatus;
 whereby, providing means for the encasement of the subsea equipment or pipe.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for providing lighted cameras;
 whereby, providing means for remotely monitoring the activity and condition of the subsea installation.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for the automatic remote opening and closing of valves and hatches. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for providing a mechanical space, wherein the mechanical and control equipment is to occupy said mechanical space,
 whereby, providing means for encasing the mechanical and electrical equipment therein.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a multitude of means for detection of pressure in the effluent capture apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for providing and receiving communication with said mechanical control equipment located at an unspecified distance from the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for receiving power to the mechanical and control equipment located at an unspecified distance from the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for receiving fluids to the mechanical and control equipment located at an unspecified distance from the apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for the placement of concrete around subsea equipment below the seabed. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for the placement of aggregate around subsea equipment below the seabed. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for auxiliary containment of installed subsea installations. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for the placement of the subsea reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for the placement of the well reinforcement structure plug. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for the discharge of effluent through a valve disposed in the capture vessel providing conveyance of effluent to a vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for the seal sandwiching the hatch to the pipe. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for the lifting and securing of the subsea structural reinforcement and excavation equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for the excavation of seabed material. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of means for the simultaneous discharge of a multitude of hydrocarbon products through the valves, inclined and vertical pressure vessels.
 SEQUENCE LISTING: None