Method for containing and sealing an oil leak

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for containing and sealing an underwater oil leak comprising the steps of: (a) providing a quantity of particulate positioned on a platform located at a surface of the water; (b) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; (c) delivering the particulate through the conduit to the oil leak; (d) depositing the particulate atop the oil leak; and (e) compacting the particulate over the oil leak. The platform can comprise a boat, a rig, or any other suitable structure. Likewise, the particulate can comprise a metal and/or a malleable material, and preferably comprises lead.

1 . A method for containing and sealing an underwater oil leak comprising:
 (a) providing a quantity of particulate positioned on a platform located at a surface of the water;   (b) depositing the quantity of particulate atop the oil leak; and   (c) compacting the quantity of particulate over the oil leak.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulate is a metal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further including the steps of:
 (a) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; and 
 (b) delivering the particulate matter through the conduit to the oil leak. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the platform is on a boat. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the platform is on a rig. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the particulate comprises lead. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulate is a malleable material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further including the steps of:
 (a) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; and 
 (b) delivering the particulate matter through the conduit to the oil leak. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the platform is on a boat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the particulate comprises lead. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the platform is on a rig. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the platform is on a boat. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the steps of:
 (a) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; and 
 (b) delivering the particulate matter through the conduit to the oil leak. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the platform is on a rig. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the steps of:
 (a) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; and 
 (b) delivering the particulate matter through the conduit to the oil leak. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 (a) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak; and 
 (b) delivering the particulate matter through the conduit to the oil leak. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulate is a metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the particulate comprises lead. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulate is a malleable material. 
     
     
         20 . A method for containing and sealing an underwater oil leak comprising:
 (a) providing a quantity of lead particles positioned on a platform located at a surface of the water;   (b) providing a conduit having an inlet positioned on the platform and an outlet positioned near the oil leak;   (c) delivering the lead particles through the conduit to the oil leak;   (d) depositing the lead particles atop the oil leak; and   (e) compacting the lead particles over the oil leak.