Deepwater containment system with surface separator and method of using same

Abstract

A subsea oil containment system, comprising a subsea collector located near a bottom of a body of water; a surface collector located near a surface of the body of water; and a riser connected to the subsea collector at a first end and extending to a second end located near the surface collector.

1 . A subsea oil containment system, comprising:
 a subsea collector located near a bottom of a body of water;   a surface collector located near a surface of the body of water; and   a riser connected to the subsea collector at a first end and extending to a second end located near the surface collector.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea collector comprises a containment cap located over a source of oil located on the bottom of the body of water. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea collector comprises a containment cap sealed to a blow out preventer (BOP) located on the bottom of the body of water. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea collector is anchored to the bottom of the body of water with one or more clump weights and/or piles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser connected to the second end of the riser. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises a sealed bottom surface, the sealed bottom surface connected to the second end of the riser. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises an open bottom surface, the open bottom surface located above the second end of the riser. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises a sealed top surface, the surface collector comprising a first outlet for gases near a top of the collector, and comprising a second outlet for liquids near a bottom of the collector. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises a sealed top surface, the surface collector comprising a first outlet for gases near a top of the collector, and comprising a flare connected to the first outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises a sealed top surface, wherein the top surface of the surface collector is submerged in the body of water at a depth from about 20 to about 60 meters. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface collector comprises an open top surface, wherein the open top surface comprises a first outlet for gases, and comprising a second outlet for liquids near a bottom of the collector. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vessel fluidly connected to the surface collector by a hose, the vessel adapted to store and/or transport at least a portion of liquids in the surface collector. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , the surface collector further comprising a pump connected to the hose. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tethers connecting the second end of the riser to the surface collector.