Method and system for hydrocarbon release management
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorsTimothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes an airborne detection device equipped with measurement components and communication components. The system may utilize various measurement techniques to determine the thickness of the oil slick. This remote detection method may provide a dedicated airborne detection device for each response vessel and that can identify the location and thickness of the oil slick.
Claims26
A method for managing an oil release with one or more airborne devices, comprising:
- deploying a marine vessel having an airborne detection device to a location in a body of water near an oil slick;
- hovering the airborne detection device above the oil slick;
- measuring thickness of the oil slick at the location by contacting the oil slick with a measurement component deployed from the airborne detection device;
- and
- transmitting a signal associated with the thickness of the oil slick to a command unit, wherein the measurement component includes an imaging camera to contact the oil slick, and measuring the thickness further includes capturing an image of an air-oil interface and an oil-water interface, and retracting the imaging camera out of the oil slick.
A hydrocarbon release management system comprising:
- a command unit;
- and
- an airborne detection device in communication with the command unit and having a propulsion component, a communication component, and a measurement component, wherein the propulsion component is configured to maneuver the airborne detection device, the measurement component is configured to measure the thickness of the oil slick by contacting the oil slick with the measurement component deployed from the airborne detection device, and the communication component is configured to communicate signals associated with the measured thickness to the command unit wherein the measurement component comprises a camera attached to a retractable line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.