Temporary Cap for a Blownout Subsea Wellhead

Abstract

A device for collecting and confining oil escaping from a sea bottom wellhead blowout. The device is easily and quickly moved into position to contain the oil from a subsea well blowout. The device provides an improved method for recovering the oil flowing from a subsea well blowout and preventing the mixing of such fluids with large quantities of the seawater. An improved method of oil containment includes the positioning of a vertical capsule over a subsea well blowout and the conducting of oil through a conduit to surface processing and storage equipment. In addition, an improved method includes the formation of a seal completely around the blownout wellhead.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 709,132 filed on Oct. 2, 2012 by the present inventor, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to a device and a means for collecting and confining oil escaping from a sea bottom wellhead blowout.[0006]2. Background of the Invention[0007]Subsea wells have the wellhead and pressure control equipment located on the seabed. Typically subsea wells may vary from depths of 10 feet to 8,000 feet. It is very difficult to deal with a blowout in very deep water because of the remoteness and limited experience with this type of situation. The Deepwater...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a device and technique to stop oil from leaking from a subsea oil well. The device can be easily moved into position to contain the oil flow from a subsea well blowout. The method involves using a vertical capsule and conducting the oil through a conduit to surface processing and storage equipment. It also includes forming a seal around the wellhead to prevent the mixing of oil with large quantities of sea water. The technical effect of this invention is an improved method for containing oil flow from a subsea well blowout.

Problems solved by technology

It is very difficult to deal with a blowout in very deep water because of the remoteness and limited experience with this type of situation.

However, even if there is a surface fire, most of the oil remains unburned and causes marine pollution.

While many of the techniques used in on shore operations to fight blowouts can also be applied in the offshore environment, they often prove to be less effective and require a much longer time period for implementation.

Thus, for example, while relief wells can be drilled to intercept the blowout well, a great amount of time may be required in the drilling operation.

Due to the rugged offshore environment, more time is required to drill the relief wells than would be required in an onshore operation.

As a result of all of these difficulties, many months can pass between the occurrence of an offshore oil well blowout and the successful final capping of the blown out well.

In the intervening time, large quantities of oil and gas can escape into the ocean with serious environmental impact.

The dome structures are generally not suitable for containment of wellhead blowouts where large quantities of gas and oil are erupting.

The force of such blowouts would tend to lift most domes.

The dome shape is also not effective in diverting high speed flow.

These structures are not effective because the wellhead is not completely sealed thereby allowing oil to pollute the surrounding sea water.

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