US2012070231A1PendingUtilityA1

Oil collection system and method for deepwater spills

16
Assignee: AL-SHARIF MAJIDPriority: Sep 22, 2010Filed: Jun 24, 2011Published: Mar 22, 2012
Est. expirySep 22, 2030(~4.2 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Majid Al-Sharif
E21B 43/0122E02B 15/02
16
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A subsea spill containment system comprising: a funnel structure positioned over a subsea leak; a plurality of interconnected skirts serially joined above the funnel; a collection dome above the skirts; and a hose connected to the dome. The skirts may be supported by one or more central internal longitudinal supports, such a drillpipe or solid rods. There may be multiple supports and/or multiple skirts per support. The skirts are preferably sealed to the dome, the funnel, and each other. The system may be held in place over the leak using cables secured to two or more anchor points, such as suction piles. The system may be moved aside by manipulating the cables, thereby providing access to the leak.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A subsea spill containment system comprising:
 a funnel structure positioned over a subsea leak;   a plurality of interconnected skirts serially joined above the funnel;   a collection dome above the skirts; and   a hose connected to the dome.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the skirts are supported by one or more central internal longitudinal supports. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the supports are metal pipes at least twenty feet in length. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the supports are solid rods at least twenty feet in length. 
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein there are at least four skirts secured to each support. 
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein an upper most one of the skirts is sealed to the dome. 
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a lower one of the skirts seals to an upper one of the skirts. 
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a lower most one of the skirts seals to the funnel. 
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further including at least two anchor points secured to a seabed around the leak and cables connecting the anchor points to the funnel, the skirts, a frame or other support of the system to hold the funnel over the leak. 
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cables are configured to be manipulated to move the funnel relative to the leak. 
     
     
         11 . A method for containing a subsea spill, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a funnel above a subsea leak;   positioning a first skirt above the funnel;   positioning a second skirt above the first skirt;   positioning a collection dome above the skirts;   connecting a hose to the dome; and   drawing oil from the dome through the hose.   
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising supporting the skirts with one or more central internal longitudinal supports. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the supports are metal pipes at least twenty feet in length. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the supports are solid rods at least twenty feet in length. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein there are at least four skirts secured to each support. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising sealing the second skirt to the dome. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising sealing the first skirt to the second skirt. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising sealing the first skirt to the funnel. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising setting at least two anchor points into a seabed around the leak and securing the funnel, the skirts, a frame or other support with cables connected to the anchor points, thereby holding the funnel over the leak. 
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising manipulating the cables to move the funnel relative to the leak.

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