Subsea oil leak stabilization system and method
OwnerFrank D. Messinainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for controlling a subsea leak is provided using a manifold and an enclosing member extending above the manifold. The manifold includes a plurality of outlets directed toward a subsea bottom surface. The manifold and the enclosing member define an interior volume and are positioned so that the subsea leak is situated in the interior volume. The method includes jetting fluid out of the plurality of outlets of the manifold to remove subsea bottom material, and injecting fluidized concrete into the interior volume above the subsea bottom surface after the jetting fluid operation. The method also includes sealing the interior volume at a top of the enclosing member above the subsea leak. A device and system for controlling a subsea leak are provided.
Claims20
A method for controlling a subsea leak from an opening in a pipe which extends from a subsea bottom surface using an assembly comprising a manifold and an enclosing member extending above the manifold, the manifold comprising a plurality of fluid outlets, the manifold and the enclosing member at least partially defining an interior volume, a bottom having an opening adapted to accommodate the pipe, and a top outlet, the method comprising:
- opening the top outlet to allow a free flow of a fluid leaking from the pipe opening;
- positioning the manifold to circumferentially enclose the pipe opening;
- jetting fluid out of the plurality of outlets of the manifold toward the subsea bottom surface to remove subsea bottom material proximate the pipe after positioning the manifold, seat the bottom of the manifold into the subsea surface, and cause the manifold to move downwardly relative to the pipe opening;
- injecting fluidized concrete into the interior volume above the subsea bottom surface to a level below the pipe opening to seal the bottom opening;
- and
- closing the top outlet above the subsea leak to seal the assembly.
A device for controlling a subsea leak, comprising:
- a manifold having a plurality of outlets, the manifold adapted to jet water out of the plurality of outlets toward a subsea bottom surface to displace subsea bottom material to uncover a subsurface below the subsea bottom surface and lower the manifold;
- an enclosing member extending above the manifold and circumferentially enclosing the subsea leak, the enclosing member adapted to receive fluidized concrete into an interior volume defined by the enclosing member and the subsurface after removal of the subsea bottom material;
- and
- a valve arranged in the interior volume above the subsea leak and adapted to open and allow fluid to flow through freely and to close and seal the enclosing member.
A system for controlling a subsea leak using a manifold and an enclosing member extending above the manifold, the manifold comprising a plurality of outlets directed toward a subsea bottom surface, the manifold and the enclosing member defining an interior volume and being positioned so that the subsea leak is situated in the interior volume, the system comprising:
- means for jetting fluid out of the plurality of outlets of the manifold to remove subsea bottom material;
- means for injecting fluidized concrete into the interior volume above the subsea bottom surface after the jetting fluid operation;
- and
- means for capping the interior volume at a top of the enclosing member above the subsea leak.
A method for controlling a subsea leak comprising:
- jetting fluid out of a plurality of outlets of a manifold circumferentially surrounding the subsea leak, the plurality of outlets being directed toward the subsea bottom surface to remove subsea bottom material;
- injecting fluidized concrete into an interior volume defined by the manifold and an enclosing member extending above the manifold;
- and
- sealing a top outlet of the interior volume, the top outlet being above the subsea leak.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.