# US 9,435,179 B1 · Apparatus for capturing oil and gas below the surface of the sea > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,179 B1 - Document ID: US9435179B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/200,208 - Filed: 2011-09-21 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-21 - Applicants: Christopher McIntyre; Roy Longacre - Inventors: Christopher McIntyre; Roy Longacre - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435179B1 ## CPC - E21B 43/0122: {Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage (cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or the like E02B15/04)} - E02B 15/0814: {with underwater curtains} - E02B 15/0857: {Buoyancy material} - E02B 2015/005: {Tent-like structures for dealing with pollutant emissions below the water surface} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) ## Abstract A collection device for collecting oil and gas that is placed near the sea floor over a leak or seep. The device is anchored to the seabed. It has a long body and a head into which oil and gas can flow and be captured. An extraction system is attached to the collector that utilizes long tubes to collect both the oil and gas and bring them to the surface. The collector can be used singly or it can be combined with many others to form a complete collection system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for capturing oil and gas below the surface of the sea comprising: a) a domed top, having a semi-spherical upper surface and an open lower perimeter having a diameter; b) a cylindrical chute having a vertical side surface, an open upper perimeter having a diameter equal to the diameter of the lower perimeter of said domed top, said cylindrical chute being attached to the domed top, and extending vertically downward therefrom, said cylindrical chute also having a lower open perimeter having a diameter equal to that of the diameter of the open upper perimeter of said chute; c) an oil port installed in the semi-spherical upper surface of said domed top; d) a gas vent, installed in the semi-spherical upper surface of said domed top; and e) a means for anchoring said apparatus to the sea floor such that the entire apparatus is suspended below the surface of the sea and the domed top is completely underwater. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a float installed in said domed top. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chute has at least one flap for allowing quick venting from said apparatus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a) a means for determining a level of oil in said domed top; and b) a means for transmitting data from said means for determining a level of oil in, installed in said domed top and being in communication with said means for determining a level of oil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for determining a level of oil in said domed top comprises an underwater specific gravity sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for determining a level of oil in said domed top comprises a light refraction sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a) at least one float ring attached to said domed top; and b) a means for filling said at least one float ring with gas and water to help displace the weight of the domed top. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chute has at least one buoyancy ring attached to said chute to help support said chute. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chute has a ring attached to the bottom of the chute to keep the chute open during use. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for temporarily anchoring said apparatus to the sea floor include: a) at least one concrete anchor; and b) at least one cable attached to said at least one concrete anchor and said apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for removing oil from said domed top, said means being attached to said oil port. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for removing oil from said domed top comprise: a) a length of hose, attached to said oil port; and b) a transfer port installed on a buoy for transferring said oil to a ship, said transfer port being attached to said length of hose. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a seawater injected transfer pump, installed between said transfer port and said hose. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for removing gas from said domed top, said means being attached to said gas vent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for removing gas from said domed top comprise: a) a gas line, attached to said gas vent; b) a methane bladder attached to said gas line, said methane bladder having an outlet port; c) an outlet pipe, attached to said outlet port; d) a buoy, attached to said outlet pipe; and e) a discharge nipple installed on the buoy for collection of the gas by a vessel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a) a net placed over said methane bladder; and b) a means for anchoring said net to the seafloor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the means for anchoring said net to the seafloor includes: a) at least one weight; and b) a cable, attached to said at least one weight and to said net.