System and method for tracking sensors, markers, and fluid flows

Abstract

A system and method for channeling fluids from underwater to the surface. Including a channel system for channeling the fluids from an oil leak through the channel system starting from an underwater pipe leak to a containment reservoir at a sea surface. In one aspect, the channel system is made up of interchange parts, where some are flexible, attachable, and/or can influence the flow of the fluids inside the channel system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : An underwater system for monitoring flow of a fluid product flowing from at least one point source below a surface of a body of water, comprising:
 a fluid product channeling structure positioned relative to the at least one point source so that the fluid product flows upwardly toward the surface of the body of water through a fluid inlet;   a riser structure connected to the fluid inlet; and   a plurality of sensor markers introduced into the fluid product flowing from the point source into the fluid riser;   wherein an xyz coordinate of each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked over time to track its position.   
     
     
         2 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is comprised of a sensor pellet. 
     
     
         3 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is comprised of a RFID pellet. 
     
     
         4 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers has a unique ID. 
     
     
         5 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers has a magnetic property. 
     
     
         6 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked to monitor flow of the fluid product. 
     
     
         7 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked to monitor for leak of the fluid product from the riser structure into the body of water. 
     
     
         8 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked to monitor collection of the fluid product into one or more collection vessels contained entirely below the surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         9 : The underwater system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked to monitor diversion of the fluid product between two or more collection vessels contained entirely below the surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         10 : A system, comprising:
 a fluid product channeling structure positioned relative to the at least one point source so that the fluid product flows upwardly toward the surface of the body of water through a fluid inlet;   a riser structure connected to the fluid inlet, wherein the riser structure is comprised of a plurality of fluid riser components;   at least one sensor marker coupled to each of the plurality of fluid riser components;   wherein an xyz coordinate of each of the at least one sensor marker is tracked over time to track its position.   
     
     
         11 : The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor marker is monitored for tracking position of a fluid riser component to which it is attached. 
     
     
         12 : The system of  claim 10 , wherein two or more sensor markers are positioned on one or more of the plurality of riser components and said two or more sensor markers are monitored for tracking a distance between said two or more sensor markers. 
     
     
         13 : The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 adjustment means for adjusting two of the plurality of fluid riser components relative to each other.   
     
     
         14 : The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of sensor markers introduced into the fluid product flowing from the point source into the fluid riser, wherein an xyz coordinate of each of the plurality of sensor markers is tracked over time to track its position. 
     
     
         15 : The system of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustment means is adjusted based upon monitoring of the distance between said two or more sensor markers. 
     
     
         16 : The system of  claim 16 , wherein a collar on a riser is adjusted by the adjustment means. 
     
     
         17 : The system of  claim 16 , wherein the collar is adjusted automatically by a computer based upon input relating to the position of the plurality of sensor markers tracked over time. 
     
     
         18 : The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is monitored for separation of at least one of the plurality of fluid riser components from the riser structure. 
     
     
         19 : The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is monitored for separation of at least one of the plurality of fluid riser components from the riser structure. 
     
     
         20 : A method, comprising:
 positioning a fluid inlet near a point source from which a fluid product is flowing into the body of water from beneath a surface of the body of water;   connecting a riser section to the fluid inlet to form a fluid riser;   introducing a plurality of sensor markers into the fluid product flowing from the point source into the fluid riser; and   tracking the plurality of sensor markers to monitor flow of the fluid product into the fluid riser;   wherein an outlet end of the fluid riser distant from the fluid inlet is closer to the surface of the body of water than the fluid inlet when the fluid product flows into the fluid riser.