Subsea oil collector

Abstract

A subsea fluid collector is provided, comprising a container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a vessel positioning device which is attachable to a submerged vessel leaking oil or other fluids. The container is positioned by the vessel positioning device to receive, through the fluid inlet, a leaking fluid (such as crude oil, gasoline, diesel, or the like) exiting from a fluid leak source on the vessel, and the water residing within the container is displaced as leaking fluid enters the container. The vessel positioning device may be attached or detached from the vessel by divers or remotely using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). In one embodiment, the container may be guided into position above the leak by a guide cable. Once the container is filled by the leaking fluid, it ascends to the surface of the sea for retrieval and removal of the contents.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS [0001] This nonprovisional application is based on prior provisional applications, U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 436,119 filed on Dec. 23, 2002, and U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 444,028 filed on Jan. 31, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] I. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to devices and methods used to contain leaks of oil and other liquids having a specific gravity less than that of water from vessels or other fluid-containing structures below the surface of the ocean or any other body of water. [0004] II. Background and Prior Art [0005] It is well known that oil tankers, barges, and other oil-containing vessels occasionally sustain damage and release the contents of their cargo into the surrounding water. The cargo is typically oil, although other combustible fuels having a specific gravity less than water, such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, are often transported in this manner. Because the most common cargo is oil, however, t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a subsea oil collector which can be retrieved onto surface vessels or emptied in accordance with acceptable methods.

[0013] In another alternate embodiment, the collector further includes a ballast chain and handling wire wherein the container is attached to ballast chain which is in turn attached to a lighter, high tensile, handling wire. The chain provides negative buoyancy to assist the container on its descent. Once the container reaches the ocean bottom, and the ballast chain lays on the ocean bottom, the container can be more easily maneuvered by an ROV with the assistance of the handling wire. The handling wire can be retrieved onto a reel type mechanism to assist the collector with a controlled ascent after it has been filled with fluids.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that oil tankers, barges, and other oil-containing vessels occasionally sustain damage and release the contents of their cargo into the surrounding water.

Such leaks sometimes occur when the vessel is still afloat, and in other cases, the vessel sinks to the bottom of the ocean and remains their permanently.

In those instances when a vessel sinks, the oil may still be contained within the vessel, but may slowly leak out through the damaged hull or other opening.

This accumulation of oil, sometimes referred to as an “oil slick”, is particularly difficult to collect, prompting tremendous efforts over the last several decades to devise equipment and methods to remove the oil from the surface.

Even if the oil-containing vessel is not leaking, the gradual effects of corrosion and ocean currents over the course of time will eventually cause the oil to escape from the vessel.

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