Apparatus for collecting oil escaped from an underwater blowout

Abstract

A large diameter conduit extends from a subsea location surrounding a wellhead to an area above the water surface. The conduit is designed to channel escaped oil and gas from the underwater well to a floating collection facility. The conduit has a portion formed from polyvinyl chloride to reduce paraffin solidification and methane gas icing.

1 . An apparatus for collecting oil and gas escaped from a sea-bottom wellhead, comprising:
 a base configured for positioning on a sea bottom in a generally surrounding relationship to the wellhead; and   a tubular member secured to and extending upwardly from the base, said tubular member being configured to extend from an underwater location around the wellhead to an above-surface location, said tubular member channeling the escaped oil and gas ascending to a water surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a ring-shaped body having a central opening configured to receive the tubular member therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a weighted body configured to resist displacement by water current. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member comprises a lower portion secured to the base, a middle portion affixed to the lower portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and an upper portion secured to the middle portion and extending upwardly to a location above the water surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the lower portion is configured to extend into the sea bottom to a pre-determined distance and anchor the tubular member in relation to the wellhead. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the lower portion is formed from a non-corrosive metallic material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the middle portion is sealingly engaged with the lower portion and the upper portion to prevent escape of oil and gas from the tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the middle portion is formed from a non-corrosive non-metallic material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the middle portion is formed from polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said upper portion carries a spout for directing oil from the tubular member to a collector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the wherein the upper portion is formed from a non-corrosive metallic material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion comprises an open top. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for collecting oil and gas escaped from a sea-bottom wellhead, comprising:
 a ring-shaped weighted base configured for positioning on a sea bottom in a generally surrounding relationship to the wellhead, said base having a central opening; and   an open-top tubular member secured to and extending upwardly from the base, said tubular member being configured to extend from an underwater location around the wellhead to an above-surface location, said tubular member channeling the escaped oil and gas ascending to a water surface.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular member comprises a metal lower portion secured to the base, a non-metallic middle portion affixed to the lower portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a metal upper portion secured to the middle portion and extending upwardly to a location above the water surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the lower portion is configured to extend into the sea bottom to a pre-determined distance and anchor the tubular member in relation to the wellhead. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the middle portion is sealingly engaged with the lower portion and the upper portion to prevent escape of oil and gas from the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the middle portion is formed from polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said upper portion carries a spout for directing oil from the tubular member to a collector.