EP2125503A1

EP2125503A1 - Device for cutting and opening/closing a hole in a wall on the seabed

Info

Publication number: EP2125503A1
Application number: EP08762184A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michel Baylot; Robin Galletti
Original assignee: Saipem SA
Current assignee: Saipem SA
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-03
Also published as: US20100058967A1; ATE514624T1; FR2913228A1; EP2125503B1; US8186294B2; FR2913228B1; WO2008116997A1

Abstract

The device (1) has an anchoring unit for anchoring a base in a reversible manner on a bottom wall (6) of the sea by maintaining a large orifice at a distance from the wall. A circular cutting unit is integrated to the base and displaced in the large orifice of the base for cutting a small circular orifice below the large orifice, when a stopper is in a closure position and the base is anchored on the wall. The cutting unit is disengaged from the large orifice for opening the small circular orifice when the stopper is in an open position. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for installing and anchoring a base on a bottom wall of the sea and for cutting a small orifice in the wall (2) a method for recovering a viscous fluid contained in a tank of a damaged or wrecked ship.

Description

DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND OPENING / CLOSING AN ORIFICE IN A WALL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

The present invention relates to a device for cutting a small orifice in a wall at the bottom of the sea and opening / closing said small orifice.

It may be, in particular, a wall, a ship stranded or a tank of a ship stranded on which one wishes to intervene.

The present invention also relates to a method for installing and anchoring a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea and then cutting said wall, in particular for passing and recovering a fluid through the orifice and created on said wall.

This method is particularly useful when it is desired to implement a process and an installation for the recovery of effluents at sea and more particularly of polluting effluents contained in a cast and damaged ship resting at the bottom of the sea.

During the sinking of cargo ships or tankers, the ship usually sinks after being deeply damaged and after losing part of its cargo. When the depth of water is important, for example 100 or 200 meters, the recovery of the wreck or its bailout, is generally not considered, but the hull must be completely emptied and rinsed, so that the corrosion of the structure over time, creating localized or generalized holes, does not lead to the release of the contents of the ship, creating a pollution that can last for years, even decades.

Numerous methods and devices have been studied and used in the past to try to recover highly polluting cargoes, either by installing a bottom-surface link to transfer said cargo to a surface-positioned ship, or even filling a shuttle tank, then once closed, back to the surface where it is either loaded aboard a surface ship or towed to a port where it can be emptied.

An embodiment of a method of recovering pollutant effluents lighter than water and little or not miscible with water, contained in a tank of a sunken and / or damaged ship resting at the bottom of the sea, involving the implementation of shuttle tanks between the bottom and the sea surface has been described in patent EP 1 449 763 in the name of the applicant, wherein the shuttle tank was anchored directly on the wall of the tank and cooperated with the ci, without base anchored on the wall.

To connect the shuttle tank to the wreck, it is possible to use existing orifices intended for example to take samples of cargo, or to use the manholes used for access to the tanks of the personnel of the ship. maintenance or inspection. But in fact, the wreck is usually broken and only exceptionally in horizontal position on the seabed. It often lies on the side or upside down and it is impossible to simply recover the cargo, and it is necessary to make penetrations of the hull which then allow to install and anchor a base on the wall to facilitate the sampling operations by ensuring optimal recovery of the highly polluting cargo or that allow to directly take the samples at the location of said holes.

Multiple techniques have been developed in the field of pressurized pipes to make load taps, called "hot taps". In such operations, a pressure pipe is pierced in a confined pressure-resistant environment, so that the pressurized fluid is not likely to escape during the entire operation. Multiple variants have been developed in order to simplify the installation operations of the apparatus and in particular to avoid having to weld the body of the stitching on the presswork. For this purpose, the body of the stitching is fixed to the pipe under pressure by means of mechanical bonding or clamping or clamps surrounding said pipe, the seal between the two being provided by an elastomer seal or better, by a metal-metal type joint. But the tensile strength properties exerted on these devices are much lower than those required to secure a base with a wall at the bottom of the sea when said base is intended to withstand the traction of a filled shuttle tank.

In the case of the anchoring of a base on a wreck lying at the bottom of the sea and drilling of said wall, if the depth is low, for example 50 to 100m, advantageously used divers to perform the implementation of the stitching and it is then preferred to secure said stitching to the shell more solidly by said plungers. But, at greater depth, these interventions become very complex and are preferably performed by robotic systems, which makes the task very delicate. It is then preferred to fix said stitching mechanically, by making drill holes in said shell which allows to simply fix the base and the support of the stitching provided with an isolation valve, an elastomeric seal being compressed between said base or said stitching support and the hull of the wreck.

No. 3,831,387 and EP 0 730 543, which describe the fixing of a module or base on a wreck by means of a piercing-tapping device, are known. But in these systems, the anchored module on the wall is intended to evacuate the cargo of the wreckage to the surface by means of a pipe by pumping, so that the traction exerted on the module or base is relatively reduced. Thus, in US Pat. No. 3,831,387 and EP 0 730 543, the extraction module, on which is intended to connect a pipe for recovering an effluent in a tank at the bottom of the sea, is anchored by means of conventional screwing and bolting.

In EP 730 543, the means for piercing the wall and anchoring thereto, in order to fix said second module, consist of a similar system of drill / tap as described in US Pat. No. 3,831,387, limited restraint, especially in the case of wreckage in poor condition.

In EP 1 568 600, it has been proposed device and method of drilling and fixing a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea that are more mechanically reliable and simpler to perform and implement, particularly at great depth, and in particular in more severe conditions of use requiring a strong resistance to mechanical traction that can undergo said base anchored on said wall of a wreck in very poor maintenance condition.

Indeed, when the cargo to be recovered in the wreck is relatively fluid, the diameter of the piercing of the shell to evacuate said cargo may be small diameter, for example from 100mm to 300mm, and the transfer lines to the surface of a similar diameter, coupled to pumping means, are then generally sufficient.

On the other hand, when the cargo is extremely viscous and the wreck is very deep, for example beyond 1000m, or even 3000 or 4000m, the method of installing a pipe between the seabed and the surface becomes almost impossible due to the very high pressure drop generated along the pipe. Indeed, even with extremely powerful pumping at the wreckage, flow rates remain low and the risk of creating caps and blockage of the pipe are important. This is why we prefer to use a shuttle that is descended from the surface, which is filled, then once full, it goes back to the surface where it is, is towed to the port, or emptied to a storage vessel, then down to the bottom for a new cycle. To minimize the number of trips, we try to increase the unit capacity of the shuttles, which can represent a volume of 250 to 300m ³ or more.

In addition, for these extremely viscous cargoes, it is sought to avoid the use of pumps, because their operation at very great depth is very delicate because of the power required and it is then preferred to increase the diameter of the pump. orifice pierced in the hull, so that the crude oil can rise naturally by the simple variation in density between said crude oil and seawater. Such an orifice can then reach a diameter of 700 to 800mm, or even more, for oils with very high viscosity, for example from 500,000 to 1 million centistokes, or more.

Thus, the stitching device must have a very large passage diameter and the piercing machine of the shell must be capable of drilling a hole corresponding to said passage diameter, ie 700 to 800 mm or more. It must therefore be extremely powerful and be firmly attached to the hull to stay in place without moving or vibrate during the entire drilling phase. In addition, when filling the shuttle, the latter is positioned vertically from the opening of the shell, and is advantageously fixed by a cable to said stitching device, which represents a significant traction.

Thus, when the shuttle is full, because of the density difference between seawater and crude oil, it exerts a vertical thrust that can reach 20 to 30 tons for a 300m ³ shuttle; this vertical thrust generates a vertical pull upwards in said cable connected to said stitching device, as well as in the fastening means of said stitching device on the hull of the wreck. To do this, in EP 1 568 600 provides a device for installing and anchoring a rigid base intended to be anchored to a wall at the bottom of the sea, and to cut a large orifice in the wall, characterized in that 'He understands :

an upper support structure, below which said base is reversibly secured by means of reversible means, said base comprising first cylindrical orifices;

said upper structure supporting anchor bolts on said base, able to be driven in sliding and rotation through said first orifices of the base,

said bolts comprising at their ends:

. first cutting means adapted to pierce second circular orifices in said wall, and

. first automatic locking means of the base adapted to anchor said base on said wall after drilling;

To drill a second large central orifice in said wall, the device of EP 1 568 600 is characterized in that:

said upper structure supports a second circular cutting means, preferably of the trephine or bell saw type, capable of cutting a second large central orifice of longitudinal axis ZZ 'in the wall, in particular of larger diameter than said second orifices, and means of the type of jacks and motors able to slide in said longitudinal direction ZZ 'and to rotate axially in said longitudinal direction ZZ', said second cutting means, and

said first large central orifice of the base being positioned in coincidence with said second circular cutting means and being able to be traversed by said second cutting means when said latter is sliding longitudinally towards said wall, and able to be closed by a closing means, preferably of the guillotine type in horizontal translation. Said closing means may be operable from the outside, preferably by remote-controlled robot type ROV ("Remotely Operated Vehicle"), underwater vehicle controlled remotely, especially from the surface, or automatically operable.

In EP 1 568 600, there is also described a method of laying and anchoring a base on a substantially horizontal wall of the sea, and piercing the bottom wall using a device as defined above characterized in that the following successive steps are carried out:

1-it descends from the surface, a said device, and

Said base is placed on said wall, and

3, said bolts and said first cutting means (9) are actuated, in longitudinal sliding towards the wall and in rotation, to pierce first orifices in said wall, and

4-tightening said first locking means against the inner face of the wall, by rotation and longitudinal sliding in the opposite direction of said bolts to the outside of the wall so as to create a seal between said first large orifice of the base and said wall, and

Cutting said second large central orifice in said wall by rotation and longitudinal sliding towards the wall of said second cutting means, and

6, the second said cutting means is disengaged longitudinally in the opposite direction towards the outside of the wall, preferably by retaining the cut-off wall washer, and

Said second orifice of the base is obstructed by means of said closure means, preferably of the guillotine type, and Desolate said higher structure with respect to said base and said upper structure is raised to the surface.

The complex structure of the device according to EP 1 568 600, with an upper structure supporting anchoring means and second wall cutting means different from those of the first cutting means used for anchoring the base complicate the implementation of the device because it requires to separate the upper structure relative to the base and back up said upper structure surface after anchoring the base and drilling the bottom wall.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and method for drilling and fixing a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea which are as mechanically reliable as those proposed in EP 1 568 600, but simpler to produce and to implement in the case of drilling a wall at the bottom of the sea and the recovery of fuel flowing through an orifice pierced with said device in a wall at the bottom of the sea.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid recovery system from the seabed without implementing pumping means. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an installation for recovering the contents of the bunkers of a ship, for example a tanker, resting on the seabed, in significant water depths, especially higher at 3,000 meters, or even up to 4,000 to 5,000 meters, and which do not have the disadvantages of prior methods and devices and, in particular, are more technically reliable, easier to use and simple to implement.

To this end, the present invention provides a device for cutting a small first orifice in a wall at the bottom of the sea and for opening / closing said first orifice, comprising a base comprising a large second orifice characterized in that it comprises : anchoring means integral with said base, able to anchor said base reversibly on said wall by keeping said large second orifice at a distance from said bottom wall;

a deformable plug integral with said base and making it possible to open or close said large second orifice in the open or closed position of the plug on the base,

deformation means of said plug integral with said base, independent of said anchoring means and adapted to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored on said wall; background, and

- Circular cutting means secured to said base and adapted to

Moving in said large second orifice of the base for cutting a said first small circular orifice below said large second orifice, when said plug is in the closed position and said base is anchored to said bottom wall, and

• disengage from said large second orifice to allow the opening of said first orifice, when said plug is in the open position.

It is understood that the device of the present invention allows, when said base is anchored to the bottom wall, after drilling a said first orifice and when moving said plug and said cutting means in said closed position or opening closing or, respectively, opening said first orifice, to allow or not a transfer of fluid through said first orifice, as explained below. The device according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it can be assembled on the surface and down on site in a single descent operation with said base supporting said plugs and said wall cutting means, and said anchoring means integral with said base, and then anchored on said wall during and after the cutting operations of the wall. On the other hand, after the cutting operations of the wall, it is possible to open or close said large second orifice of the base with the aid of a said plug, without having to go back to the surface said means thus allowing return of said shuttle to transfer the fuel as explained below. Finally, the device according to the invention can be moved, if necessary, to drill another second said first orifice on the wall to continue the emptying of a partially emptied tank from a first said first orifice, without having to go up at the surface all or part of the device initially installed and anchored to the wall around a first said first orifice.

In the prior art, the base is generally fixed by means of drilling and screwing in the thickness of the steel wall of the wreck. This then makes it possible to crush a seal located on the underside of said base, and in a sufficiently energetic manner that the assembly has a correct seal between the large orifice of the base and the bottom wall and thus avoids the unwanted leakage of pollutant. In case of leakage, it is then sufficient to tighten said screws to further compress said seal. In the device according to the invention, the sealing functions of the large second orifice of the base and the anchoring of the base are dissociated. Thus, it is possible to use magnets as anchoring means. The use of magnets requires first putting said magnets in contact with the steel wall, because the magnets have significant effects only if the iron is almost zero, the resistance to pulling resistance collapsing as soon as the space between the magnet and the wall, that is to say the gap, exceeds a few tenths of a millimeter, even a few millimeters. This is why according to the invention, a plug is provided deformable, in particular comprising a deformable seal, and cap deformation means independent of said anchoring means for creating a sealing chamber after the magnets have been activated in contact with the wall of the ship thus giving resistance to the maximum tearing off. Because the magnets do not have sufficient capacity to crush, remotely, by their own action before they are fixed on the wall, a seal on a height of 10-15 mm or more.

It is understood that said deformation means of said plug are able to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to a said non-uniformly flat bottom wall because of the localized deformation of the latter or the presence of a weld seam.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a device according to the invention can be relatively compact, so that it is possible to install several devices according to the invention, side by side on the same wall of a tank on the run, as explained below.

If the wall on which one seeks to anchor the base, is the wall of a tank having a hole by which fl ux a pollutant fluid contained in the tank at the bottom of the sea, said base can be used to fit any extraction device. More particularly, said base can itself be used for anchoring any device including a shuttle reservoir for collecting a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.

In a device intended for recovering a fluid flowing through an opening in said wall, said base comprises a large cylindrical second central orifice with an axis in said longitudinal direction ZZ ', in particular at least 200 mm, more 300 to 800 mm in diameter, to make a small first hole corresponding in the wall of 100 to 500 mm, in particular from 200 to 300 mm diameter, for discharging a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.

The present invention is more particularly advantageous for producing said first circular orifices of 100 to 300 mm in diameter.

More particularly, in a device according to the invention, said cap comprises:

said base comprises a plate comprising a said large second orifice, and

said stopper comprises

A cylindrical wall defining a said cylindrical chamber arranged axially ZZ to said large second orifice on the underside of said plate, said cylindrical wall comprising an upper elastomer seal on its upper edge capable of creating the seal between said plate and said cylindrical wall and a lower elastomer seal on its lower edge adapted to create the seal between said cylindrical wall and said bottom wall, and

A cover plate, and means for tilting said cover mounted on said plate, the tilting of said cover for sealing said large second orifice, and

said cutting means are integral with said cover and comprise a hole saw or drill bit mounted on the underside of said cover and a motor mounted on said cover for sliding, in the axial direction ZZ 'of said large second orifice, and for actuating in rotation along the same axis ZZ 'said hole saw or drill bits.

More particularly still, said base comprises: a tray comprising a said large second orifice,

a said cylindrical wall defining a said cylindrical chamber arranged axially ZZ ^{1 to the} said large second orifice on the underside of the said plate, and

a said cover and means for tilting said cover mounted on said plate.

Advantageously, said cylindrical wall is connected to said plate by fastening means constituted by means of controlled separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate adapted to move said cylindrical wall of said plate to allow the sealing of said cylindrical wall against said wall at the bottom of the sea, so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said large second orifice and said bottom wall when said base is anchored to said bottom wall and said lid is in the closed position, adjusting the force of crushing the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall and compressing said elastomeric seals.

It is thus possible to create a sealed cylindrical chamber inside the cylindrical wall, even when the bottom wall is somewhat deformed. The pressure exerted by the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall, by means of said fixing means, makes it possible to compensate for these deformations by crushing the lower seal of said cylindrical wall, as explained hereinafter.

More particularly, the fastening means are constituted by means of controlled spacing of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, located and acting on 3 points arranged in a triangle around said large second orifice,

said spacing means being able to cooperate with said elastomer seals, by adjusting the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall, the cylindrical wall and said plate surmounted by said lid in the closed position, so that:

In the initial close-up position, said upper elastomer seal is compressed, and

In the final position of separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, said upper elastomer gasket is expanded while maintaining a sealed connection of said cylindrical wall with said plate, and said lower elastomer gasket is compressed, said cylindrical wall being connected to sealed with said bottom wall.

The thickness of the joints and the possibility of varying them by compression of the latter against the plate and against the bottom wall, with the aid of said spacing means, make it possible to create a tightness even in the event of non-flatness. the bottom wall.

More particularly, said spacer means comprise cylinders or bolts cooperating with threads of third orifice through said plate.

In a preferred embodiment, said anchoring means comprise magnet blocks.

More preferably, said magnets make it possible to secure said plate with said bottom wall, said magnets then cooperating with said plate in three bearing points arranged triangularly around said large second orifice.

More particularly, said magnets are arranged around said cylindrical wall and keep said plate at a distance from said bottom wall. Thus, when said magnets are secured to said bottom wall and when said cylindrical wall is integral with said plate in the underside thereof, said upper seal being compressed, then said lower elastomeric seal is somewhat apart or in contact with said wall bottom, and said spacing means controlled control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall, the cylindrical wall and said tray surmounted said lid in the closed position.

It is understood that the distance between the plate and the bottom wall is therefore slightly greater than the height of the cylindrical wall when the magnets are activated to secure the plate and the cylindrical wall of said bottom wall.

It is thus possible, by activating said spacing means, to control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to be pierced, depending on the regularity of the wall. This allows, in particular, to exert maximum support if the sheet of the wall to be pierced is deformed.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises four magnets arranged rectangularly and cooperating with said plate in three zones:

two first magnets being mounted integral on the underside of said plate and on the same side of said rectangle, and

two second magnets being disposed outside said plate, connected to each other by a connecting arm articulated in rotation around a median transverse axis materialized by at least one end of a second link arm integral with said tray,

said magnets being activatable by actuation of a lever.

It is understood that said first two magnets are directly integral with the plate in two different zones, while the two said second magnets are integral with said plate via the second end of said second linkage arm, that is to say one only one and same area of said plateau. This system of four magnets cooperating at three points with said plate forms an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said bottom wall.

Buoyancy elements may be incorporated in the instal lation and anchoring device of a base according to the invention to control its buoyancy, in particular during its descent to the seabed from the surface, to perform this in hydrostatic balance, but also at the time of approach and installation of the device according to the invention against the wall to be pierced. This approach and this pose can be carried out with the aid of an external operator and, in particular, via a ROV, in particular if it is necessary to incline the device according to the invention for its anchoring on a strongly inclined wall, or on a vertical wall.

However, if the device is to be installed on a top wall of an underwater object, in particular on a tank or on a ship at the bottom of the sea, said upper wall being substantially horizontal, the installation and anchoring device , a base according to the invention can be placed directly without the aid of outside operator.

Here it is understood by substantially horizontal that said wall can be inclined as far as it is possible to lay said base sufficiently stable to allow its anchoring.

Advantageously, all or part of said cutting means, said means for anchoring the base, said fixing means of said cylindrical wall on said plate and said tilting means of said cover are actuable by an ROV.

The present invention also provides a method of laying and anchoring a base on a substantially horizontal bottom wall of the sea and cutting a said bottom wall, using a device according to the invention, characterized in that the following successive steps are carried out, in which: One descends, from the surface, a said device according to the invention, said stopper being in the closed position of said large second orifice, and

2- anchor said base on said bottom wall, and

3-deforming said plug so as to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to said bottom wall (6), in particular said cylindrical wall plate against said bottom wall, and

4-actuates, in longitudinal sliding ZZ ¹ to said bottom wall and in rotation, said cutting means for cutting a said first hole in said wall, said plug being in said closed position.

More particularly, after said cutting step 4 is carried out the following subsequent step, wherein:

5 is actuated longitudinally in sliding ZZ 'said cutting means by maintaining if appropriate said cylindrical wall pressed against said bottom wall in leaktight connection, said plug always being in said closed position of said large second orifice.

The present invention also provides a method of recovering a viscous fluid such as a polluting effluent, lighter than water, contained in a vessel of a cast and / or damaged vessel resting at the bottom of the sea, wherein :

1- a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the wall of said vessel according to a method of laying and anchoring a base on a bottom wall and cutting said bottom wall according to the invention, and 2- we descend a said shuttle tank from the surface to the top of said base, and

3- anchoring said shuttle reservoir on said bottom wall or said base, so that the lower opening of said shuttle reservoir is positioned near and above said large second orifice of said base, and

Said large second orifice of said base is opened with said stopper in said open position, and said fluid contained in the tank is allowed to flow naturally into said shuttle reservoir through the lower orifice of said shuttle reservoir, and

When said shuttle tank is filled with fluid, said surface shuttle tank is raised after closing said first small orifice and said large second orifice of said base with said plug in said closed position, and

6- storing said shuttle tank filled with fluid in a surface vessel and / or emptying said shuttle tank in said vessel and / or is transported to a site to be emptied, and

7- where appropriate, steps 1 to 6 are repeated with the same shuttle tank or another shuttle tank until the desired quantity is recovered, said cutting means and said cap remaining always integral with said anchored base on said bottom wall.

More particularly, the additional steps are carried out in which:

a method for laying and anchoring a base and cutting the bottom wall of the same tank using a second anchoring and cutting device according to the invention, and cutting a second said first orifice, preferably on the same wall as the first said first orifice according to a method of the invention, then 2a-opens said large second port of the base of said second device, and is introduced into the second said first hole of said perforated bottom wall means for introducing sea water at the bottom of said vessel, at as the flow of said viscous fluid from the vessel to said shuttle reservoir through the first said first port.

Advantageously, in the above process, in step 2a, a cannula extending to the vicinity of the bottom of the tank is introduced, said cannula being provided with a valve close to its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve to prevent any overpressure in the tank, said cannula sliding hard friction within a connecting piece, the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice.

More particularly, in the process according to the invention, the steps are carried out in which:

- After the step la- cutting a second said first hole in said bottom wall, is left in place the cutting means of the second said device on the bottom wall, so as to keep closed the second said first orifice by said cutting means blocking said first orifice by means of retaining means, and then

in step 2a, said connecting piece is at least partly in the form of a funnel and said cannula is forced into said funnel inside said funnel, until said connection piece is in leaktight connection with the second said second large orifice, then said cannula is slid with respect to said connecting piece by forcing said cannula against said cutting means until said retaining means yield and drop said cutting means in the tank, and then continue to flow said cannula until the lower end of said cannula arrives near or rests on the bottom of the tank, then opens said upper valve which was, until then, in the closed position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given in an illustrative and nonlimiting manner, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a vessel or wreck on which is installed a shuttle tank stabilized vertically a piercing shell made using the cutting device according to the invention, said shuttle being filled,

FIG. 2A is a partial plan view of a cutting device according to the invention, the upper part comprising the pivoting lid and the cutting tool not being shown;

FIG. 2B is a partial sectional side view relating to FIG. 3a, in which is shown the upper part comprising the pivoting cover and the cutting tool, the cylindrical wall delimiting the sealing chamber being represented in the retracted position,

FIG. 2C corresponds to FIG. 2B, said cylindrical wall of the sealing chamber being shown in the deployed position,

FIG. 2D shows, in side view and in partial section, the drilling of the hull of the wreckage, the tool having just debouched in the tank and the disc of steel that has fallen to the bottom of said tank,

FIG. 2E corresponds to FIG. 2D, the cutting tool being in the retracted position, thus freeing the passage for the polluting fluid, which then completely invests the sealed chamber,

FIGS. 3A-3F show in side view the different sequences of the cutting or coring of the wall in order to install a device for injecting seawater at the bottom of the tank of the wreck, FIG. 4 is a side view of a shuttle tank stabilized in its ascent by a connecting cable weighed by integral blocks of the latter and also acting as a curvature limiter,

FIGS. 4A and 4B represent states similar to that of FIG. 4, the shuttle reservoir being in the recovery phase in FIG. 4A and in the downward movement in FIG. 4B,

FIG. 4C represents the detail of two blocks in contact, when said cable is bent,

FIG. 4D represents the string of blocks simply suspended in a vertical position,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shipwreck containing pollutants, such as heavy fuel oil 8, stored in tanks 9 of the ship, two devices 1 according to the invention have made it possible to drill the hull. 2 places. These devices comprise a tilting lid shown in the open position, but for closing the orifice. A shuttle tank 10 of 150 m 3 is positioned vertically of a first said device 1 according to the invention and receives pol luant 8 which escapes from said reservoir and moves vertically upwards at low speed, due to its density which remains lower than the density of the seawater. Said shuttle 10 is held laterally by the cables 13 connected to 250 kg mooring bodies 13-1, simply placed on the wall 6 of the ship, the vertical forces due to the buoyancy of the tank 1 are counterbalanced by a handling device and stabilization 11 heavy block 11-2 described below with reference to Figures 4 and 4A-4D. At the top of the shuttle, a valve 10e isolates a connecting pipe (not shown) for connecting, when the shuttle is near the surface of the water, a drain hose to transfer, preferably with the help pump, the contents of the shuttle to a storage vessel, such as a tanker. Said shuttle reservoir 10 comprises a flexible or rigid main envelope 10a with a cylindrical peripheral wall surmounted by a rigid dome 10b having a profile in the form of a shell in vertical section, said dome preferably containing buoyancy elements 10c such as foam syntactical control to control its empty descent and its rise to the surface under the simple action of buoyancy, preferably shifting the center of buoyancy of said shuttle tank filled with fluid upwards relative to its apparent center of gravity in the water.

The device 1 for cutting a small first orifice 1-1 in a wall 6 at the bottom of the sea and for opening / closing said first orifice of FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a base 2 comprising a platform or large plate 3-3 having a large second central hole 2-1. Said base comprises a plug 3 for opening or closing said large second orifice according to the position of the plug on the base. This plug consists of:

A cylindrical wall 3-1 around and below said large second orifice 2-1, said cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical chamber, and

A tilting lid plate 3-2 over said tray 3-3. Cover 3-2 has a circumferential circumferential peripheral seal 3-2a around the large second port 2-1 when the cover is resting on the flatbed over said large second port. The tilting of said lid thus makes it possible to seal said large second orifice.

Figures 2A and 2B show a cutting device according to the invention consisting of a main plate 3-3 having a substantially central orifice 2-1.

The cover plate 3-2 supports circular cutting means 4 comprising a hole saw or trephine 4-1 mounted on the underside of said cover and a jack 4-3 and a motor 4-2 mounted on said lid. Said jack 4-3 makes it possible to actuate a rod which slides the hole saw 4-1 and the motor 4-2 in translation relative to the lid 3-2, through said large second orifice in the axial direction ZZ ^{1 of} said large second orifice. The motor 4-2 makes it possible to operate the bell saw in rotation according to the same axis of rotation ZZ ¹ .

The cover plate 3-2 and the cutting means 4 are pivotally driven together by tilting means 3-5 comprising a connecting element 3-5a whose one end is articulated in rotation along an axis parallel to said cover 3- 2 at the stirrups 3-5b resting on the tray 3-3 and whose other end is secured to said cover via an upper structure enclosing said motor 4-2 and to which said cylinder 4-3 d ' actuation in translation of the motor 4-2 is sol idaire.

Bell saw 4-1 is suitable for

move in translation in said large second orifice 2-1 to cut a said small circular first hole 1-1 of the wall 6 below said large second orifice, when said plug 3-2 is in the closed position and said base is anchored to said bottom wall 6, and

- Disengage dud it large second port to allow the opening of said first port, when said cap is in the open position.

Said cylindrical wall 3-1 is connected to said plate 3-3 by fixing means comprising 3 jacks 3-4 resting on said plate 3-3 outside the lid 3-2 and arranged in a triangle around said large second orifice. The rods 3-4a of these cylinders 3-4 pass through the third orifices 2-2 of the plate 3-3 and are integral with the upper edge of the cylindrical wall 3-1. These fixing means also constitute means for varying the spacing between the cylindrical wall 3-1 and the tray 3-3. These spacing means combined with elastomeric seals on the upper edges 3-ld and lower 3-lc of the cylindrical wall 3-1 makes it possible to adjust the pressure exerted by the cylindrical wall 3-1 against the bottom wall 6 as a function of its irregularity of shape of the bottom wall 6. Said flexible elastomer seals comprise:

An upper elastomer seal 3-la between said plate 3-3 and the cylindrical wall 3-1 and

A lower elastomeric seal 3-lb between said cylindrical wall 3-1 and said bottom wall 6.

Said spacer means 3-4 cooperate with said elastomer seals, so that:

In the initial close-up position, said upper elastomer seal 3-la is compressed, said lower seal being expanded, said lower seal being able to be in sealing contact with said bottom wall 6, and

In the final position of separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, said upper elastomer gasket 3-la is expanded while maintaining a tight connection of said cylindrical wall with said plate, and said lower elastomer gasket 3-lb is compressed, said cylindrical wall being in sealing connection with said bottom wall 6.

The spacing means 3-4 and joints 3-la and 3-lb make it possible to seal said cylindrical wall 3-1 against said wall at the bottom of the sea 6, so as to define a said sealed cylindrical chamber when said lid 3 is in the closed position even in case of deformation of the bottom wall at this level, or the presence of weld beads.

The cylindrical wall 3-1 may consist of a portion of thick tube 3-1 actuated in translation by three hydraulic 3-4 hydraulic jacks or synchronized, so that the lower edge of the 3-lc tube comes to press against the tank wall, crushing the second flexible elastomer seal 3-lb, the latter then sealing the chamber even in the weld or irregularity areas of the wall, the maximum irregularity being of the order of 10-15mm. When the tube 3-lc is in the low position, the first flexible elastomer seal 3-la relaxes and continues to seal at the main tray 3-3.

The plate 3-3 cooperates with anchoring means 5 comprising magnets 5-1, 5-2, integral with said plate 3-3, and able to anchor said base reversibly on said wall 6.

Four magnets 5-1, 5-2 are arranged around said cylindrical wall 3-1 rectangularly, two first magnets 5-1 are mounted integral on the underside of said plate 3-2 and on the same side of said rectangle, and two seconds magnets 5-2 are positioned outside said plate 3-2, connected to one another by a connecting arm 5-3 rotatably articulated about a median transverse axis materialized by at least a first end 5-4a of a second connecting arm 5-4 integral with said plate. These four magnets thus cooperate in three points of support with said plate arranged triangularly around said large second orifice 2-1 to form an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said advantageous bottom wall in case of deformation of the bottom wall. 6.

Said magnets are magnetically activatable by actuating a lever 5-6 with cylinders 5-5 and are permanently secured to said plate 3-3 and with the wall 6 in a reversible manner.

The high-capacity 5-1 and 5-2 magnet blocks, each actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 5-5 acting on a lever 5-6, are known to those skilled in the art. . They generally include a lever operated by hand and allows to position magnetic parts on machines in order to their machining. The best performing magnets have pulling capacities of 500 to 750 kg or more when applied to flat magnetic surfaces that are properly brushed and free of paint.

It is understood that the height of the magnet blocks 5-1 and 5-2 and therefore the distance between the plate and the bottom wall when the magnets are activated and secured to the wall 6, are slightly greater than the height of the cylindrical wall for allow to adjust the compression of the lower seal and thus the pressure of the cylindrical wall 3-1 against the wall as explained above. It is thus possible, by actuating said spacing means, to control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to be pierced, as a function of the regularities of the wall. This allows, in particular, to exert maximum support if the sheet of the wall to be drilled is deformed, so as to properly compress the seal 3-lb and create a seal between the cylindrical wall 3-1 and the bottom wall 6 , while maintaining the seal between the cylindrical wall 3-1 and the tray 3-3 at the upper edge 3-ld.

An ROV 7 powered and driven from the surface 12 by a link 7-1, allows to actuate an articulated arm 7-2 and to control and actuate, if necessary, via a power supply link 7-3, the following elements: the motor 4-2 and cylinder 4- 3 of said cutting means 4, the cylinders 5-5 of said anchoring means of the base 5, the cylinders 3-4 of said fixing means and spacing said cylindrical wall on said tray and said tilting means 3-5 of said lid. In Figure 2B, the arm 7-2 of the ROV cooperates with a ring 3-2b of the cover to tilt or rotate.

The method of laying and anchoring a base on a substantially horizontal bottom wall of the sea and drilling a said bottom wall, using a device according to the invention comprises the following successive steps, in which : One descends, from the surface, a said cutting device 1 according to the invention, said lid 3-2 being in the closed position of said large second orifice, and

2- anchor said base 2 on said bottom wall 6, and

3-plate said cylindrical wall 3-1 against said bottom wall so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said closed cover, said cylindrical wall and said bottom wall 6 by adjusting the compression of said joints 3-la and 3- lb and

4-actuates, in longitudinal sliding ZZ ¹ to said bottom wall 6 and in rotation, said cutting means 4 for piercing a said first hole 1-1 in said wall, said cap 3 being in said closed position, and.

5 is actuated longitudinally ZZ ¹ in the opposite direction said cutting means holding optionally said cylindrical wall 3-1 pressed against said bottom wall in leaktight connection, said cap being always in said closed position of said large second orifice .

The cutting tool 4 or core drill comprises a motor 4-2, preferably hydraulic, the power being then provided by the ROV, via a hydraulic hose 7-3 return, said motorization 4- 2 can move up and down along the vertical axis ZZ, the descent being ensured, for example, by a hydraulic cylinder 4- 3 also actuated by the ROV, so controlled from the surface by the operator. At the lower end of said engine, the bell saw 4-1 is installed on the motor shaft and comprises at its center a pilot drill 4-la.

As shown in FIG. 2B in the raised position of the dotted cover 3, said cover has on its underside a seal 3-2a, preferably an elastomer, which, when said cover rests on the main tray 3-3, ensures total sealing of the chamber circular, thus preventing any leakage of the pollutant fluid at the plateau junction 3-3 / lid 3-2 around the large orifice 2-1.

Thus, at the beginning of the coring, represented in FIG. 2C, the centering drill bit 4-passes through the sheet of the wall 6 of the tank 9 and the power supplied by the motorization 4-2 remains low. As soon as the bit 4-1 attacks the sheet, the necessary power becomes considerable, and even in case of surface irregularity, created for example by a thick weld bead, the bit 4-1 remains centered. At the end of coring, the unscrewing washer 1-2, either falls to the bottom 6-1 of the tank, or remains stuck between the center drill and the hole saw. The motor and the hole saw are then raised in maximum translation as detailed in Figure 2E. The polluting fluid then invests the entire sealed chamber and the device is ready to perform the loading of the shuttle, as described below.

The method for recovering a viscous fluid such as a pollutant effluent, lighter than water, contained in a vessel of a sunken and / or damaged vessel lying at the bottom of the sea, comprises the steps in which:

1-is realis is a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the wall of said vessel according to a method above, and

2- we descend a said shuttle reservoir 13 from the surface 14 to the top of said base 2, and

3-anchor said shuttle tank on said bottom wall 6 or on said base, so that the lower opening 16 of said shuttle tank is positioned near and above said large second port 2-1 of said base , and

4-opening said large second orifice 2-1 of said base with said plug in said open position, and naturally flowing said fluid contained in the tank in said shuttle tank through the lower orifice 16 of said shuttle tank , and When said shuttle reservoir is filled with fluid, said shuttle reservoir is raised to the surface after having closed said first small orifice 1a and said large second orifice 2-1 of said base with said plug 3 in said closed position, and

7- where appropriate, steps 1-6 are repeated with the same shuttle tank or another shuttle tank until the desired quantity is recovered, said cutting means and said cap remaining always integral with said base anchored to said bottom wall.

During the entire emptying phase of a tank, the motor, the drill bit and, optionally, the disconnection plate washer 1-2 remained stuck, remain integral with the cover 3-2. The shuttle 10 is then positioned vertically of the device as shown in FIG. 1, and the lid is tilted by means of the hydraulic arm 7-2 of the ROV, as detailed in FIG. 2B. At the end of filling the shuttle, the cover is simply lowered and the assembly remains sealed under the simple weight of said cover. The shuttle 10 is then raised towards the surface, as explained with reference to FIGS. 4-4B. Arrived near the surface 12, for example 25 m deep, the assembly is stabilized, then divers come to connect a hose on the top of the shuttle to transfer, preferably by means of a pump, the pollutant fluid to the bunkers of a tanker located in the immediate vicinity of the shuttle. After draining, the shuttle descended to the tank 9 for a new cycle of loading and rising to the surface, until the tank is completely empty.

To prevent the hull of the wreck from deforming during the transfer of the pollutant fluid to the shuttle, it drills advantageously the wall of the tank with a second device according to the invention 1 so as to create a second small first orifice to allow a free passage for seawater. However, to prevent the pollutant fluid 8 from escaping during coring As such, or during all transfer cycles through the shuttle, it is advantageous to proceed as shown in FIGS. 3A-3F.

The additional steps are therefore performed in which:

a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the bottom wall 6 of the same tank 9 with a second device 1 according to the invention is carried out, and a second first orifice, preferably on the same wall as the first said first orifice according to a method described above but, and after the drilling of a second said first orifice in said bottom wall, is left in place the cutting means 4 said second device on the bottom wall, so as to keep closed the second said first port 2-1, then

2a-opens said large second orifice of the base of said second device, and is introduced into the second said first hole of said pierced bottom wall, means 14-17 for introducing sea water to the bottom of said tank, as and when said viscous fluid flows from the tank to said shuttle tank, through the first said first port 1-1.

In step la-, bit 4-1 is provided, at 3 cm from its lower end, a protrusion acting as 4-lb retaining means bit. It may be for example an overmolding elastomer, or a rubber elastic tightly tightened on the outside of said bit. At the end of coring, when the mouthpiece 1-2 is released and falls to the bottom of the tank, the motor 4-2 is retracted in translation upwards, but the bit 4-1 is previously disconnected by releasing a lock, no shown, which held it at the end of the splined shaft 4-lc of said motor, as shown in Figure 4b. The lid can then be raised by pivoting as detailed in FIG. 3C, and the bit then seals the orifice because the bit's own weight is greater than the upward thrust exerted by the polluting fluid. on the section of said bit, and that the elastic 4-lb keeps it from falling into the tank 9.

In step 2a, a cannula 14 is introduced extending to the vicinity of the bottom 6-1 of the tank 9, said cannula being provided with a valve 15 close to its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve 16 to prevent overpressure in the tank, said hard-sliding cannula inside a connecting piece 17, the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice. Said connecting piece 17 is at least partly in the form of a funnel and said cannula 14 is forced into said funnel, said cutting means 4-1 blocking said first orifice by means of retaining means 4 1b, until said connection piece 17 is in leaktight connection with the second said second large orifice, then by forcing said cannula and said funnel against said cutting means until said retaining means 4-lb of said cutting means drop said cutting means into the tank, said cannula is sinking relative to said connecting piece 17 until the lower end of said cannula comes close to rest on the bottom of the tank, then opens said upper valve which was, until then, in the closed position.

An injection cannula 14, represented in FIGS. 3D-3E, of length greater than approximately 1 m was prepared at the total height of the reservoir 9 to be emptied. The cannula 14 consists of a bevelled tube 14-1 at its lower part and provided at its upper part with a valve 15 and a flange 14-2. On the side is advantageously installed a safety valve 16 so as to avoid overpressure in the tank. Said cannula slides with hard friction inside a connecting piece 17 comprising a funnel-shaped part, provided with on its conical portion of a 17-1 elastomer cone 10 mm thick, integral with the latter. Forcing said cannula into said funnel without the lower bevel 14-1 of the cannula protruding from said funnel, as shown in FIG. 3E. The injection cannula 14 provided with its funnel 17 is lowered from the surface 12 and the assembly is manipulated using the ROV, and the assembly above the bit 4-1 is presented in a vertical position. Finally, the entire cannula / funnel, which by its own weight drives said trephine, which is then found at the bottom 6-1 of the tank, and the rubber strap 4-lb. Finally, the cannula is slid until its lower beveled end 14-1 rests on the bottom of the vessel of the wreck. Throughout this operation, the upper valve is in the closed position, but it will be opened by the ROV as soon as the shuttle loading operations start. Thus, the arrival of seawater will be at the bottom of the tank and will not interfere with the transfer of polluting fluid. The upper flange 14-2 at the top of the cannula advantageously makes it possible to connect a seawater injection pump, not shown, actuated by the ROV and intended to accelerate the process of transfer of polluting fluid, especially in the case of fluids with high viscosity. The relief valve 16 makes it possible to avoid any undesirable overpressure in the tank.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred version of the invention, in which the raising of the shuttle reservoir 10 is controlled by a stabilizing device 11 comprising a connecting cable 11-1, a portion of whose lower part is weighed down, for example, by means of metal blocks 11-2 secured to said cable 11-1 by a crimp l-2a string as beads on a cable.

The speed of descent of a said shuttle tank 10, if any, is monitored, or of said shuttle tank 10 being raised, if necessary, with a stabilizing device 11 comprising at least one cable or link chain 11-1. extending from the surface, preferably from a surface vessel, to said shuttle tank 10, where appropriate, to which its end is connected, said cable or said connecting chain 40a, 40b having a lower portion weighted, preferably by blocks 11-2 arranged in a string along said second cable or by large links heavier of said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said cable or chain hanging below its point of connection 1Od to said shuttle reservoir 10, can be adjusted from the surface, preferably to the using a winch located aboard a ship on the surface and on which the upper end of said cable or of said chain is unwound or wound, so as to control the speed of descent or respectively of said shuttle tank 10 where appropriate.

The lower portion is increased, preferably by blocks 11-1 arranged in a string along said cable or by larger heavy links of said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said cable or chain hanging below its point of connection 1Od to said shuttle tank 10, can be adjusted from the surface, preferably using a winch located on board a ship on the surface and on which the upper end of said cable or said chain is unwound or wound, so as to control the rate of descent or respectively of said upper structure 4 or said shuttle tank 10 if appropriate.

Said blocks 11-2 of said cable or large heavy links of said link chain, in said lower portion of said cable 1-1 or chain have a shape such that when said cable or said string is bent, two blocks adjacent or two adjacent heavy links abut against each other thus limiting the local radius of curvature of said cable or said chain.

The shuttle reservoir 10 is kept close to the base 2 by means of anchoring means comprising at least one anchoring cable 13 in crow's feet connected to a first attachment point 10d fixed on the lower part. of said reservoir and at least one second anchor point 13-1 on said wall 6. Advantageously, when said shuttle tank is full, an automatic disconnection step is performed for said anchoring means, which is preferably performed automatically when the shuttle tank has reached a predetermined filling level, especially when the tank is full or almost full.

More particularly, at least one said anchoring cable 13 cooperates with a first automatic disconnection device on which is exerted a traction corresponding to the buoyancy force exerted on said shuttle tank and its cargo, traction transmitted by said anchoring cable, said disconnecting device having the effect of causing disconnection of said anchoring cable by detaching said anchoring cable 13 from said base 2 or by breaking said anchoring cable, and to authorize the ascent at least partial dddit shuttle reservoir when this traction reaches a first threshold value determined, preferably when said shuttle tank is filled with effluents.

More particularly, the operator at the surface is thus informed, via a camera embedded in the ROV, of the end of the filling, and the ROV can release the cable 13, which allows the tank to be raised to the surface by perfectly controlling said ascent thanks to the chain system 11

These blocks 11-1 have a cylindrical central body that is prismatic or of revolution and frustoconical ends 11-2b such that, when the cable is bent, said frustoconical ends of the two adjacent blocks then abut one against the other. other, thus limiting the local radius of curvature to a value greater than RO. Thus, the connecting cable 11-1, being hooked to the shuttle reservoir 2 on said first attachment point 1Od in the lower part of the tank 10, descends downwards and then deviates in a circular arc radius RO, to finally rise vertically or in a chain configuration at a distance of at least about 2 ° to the side wall of said shuttle reservoir, thereby avoiding any mechanical contact during the ascent, which avoids damage by friction.

In FIG. 4, the buoyancy of the hydrocarbon-filled shuttle tank Fv, which corresponds to the buoyancy force acting on the tank and its cargo, is compensated by the weight of the cable up to the point of horizontal tangency corresponding to the block l l-2i, plus the weight of the blocks l l-2g between the tank and the block l l-2i lowest, ie 8.5 blocks in Figure 4, the weight of the set Pe corresponding then to a balance of the system.

By way of example, to illustrate FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B, the shuttle tank 10, with a volume of 250 m3 of a petroleum having a density of 1011 kg / m3, in seawater at 3 ° C. density 1,045 kg / m3, has a buoyancy of about 8.5 tons.

Each of the blocks of the balancing device 11 then has a weight in the water of about 1 ton.

In FIG. 4A, the upper end of the connecting cable 11-1, connected to a winch installed on board a surface vessel (not shown) is raised, which has the effect of causing the block 1 2g of Figure 4 in low horizontal position, thereby reducing the number of blocks weighing under the tank to 6.5 blocks, the overall weight opposing the thrust Fv being reduced to Pinf. The resultant Fv + Pinf is then positive upwards and the shuttle reservoir can go up until the equilibrium of the forces of FIG. 4 is reached.

Likewise, in FIG. 4B, the upper end of the connecting cable 11-1 is deviated, which has the effect of bringing the block 1-2k into the horizontal low position, thereby increasing the number of blocks weighing under the tank 10.5 blocks, the overall weight then being equal to Psup. The resultant Fv + Psup is then positive downwards and the shuttle reservoir can descend until the balance of the forces of Figure 4 is reached. Thus, the stabilizing device 11 according to the invention has a stabilizing effect for the raising of the shuttle tank 10. When the surface vessel moves excessively under the effect of the swell or deviates from the vertical position of the As a shuttle reservoir, the movements have instant effect only on the zone of the blocks surrounding the blocks 1-2g to 1-2k, the block 1-2i corresponding to the average value of the oscillations.

Thus, to control the ascent of the shuttle tank 10, it is sufficient to wind the connecting cable 11-1 on the winch located aboard the surface vessel 12 at a speed compatible with the natural ascent of said shuttle, said shuttle always seeking Naturally to resume its position of balance shown in Figure 4. In case of difficulties, it is sufficient to slow down or stop the winding on the winch, the shuttle tank then finding almost immediately its equilibrium position, meanwhile a new movement of the winch.

By doing so, the shuttle 10 is always in a safe situation, because there is no direct physical link, that is to say, in a tight line, such as a cable or a pipe, between the surface vessel and the wreck lying at the bottom of the sea.

In the description of the invention, the sealed chamber has been described between the cover 3-2 and the bottom wall 6 as being constituted inter alia with a cylindrical wall 3-1 equipped with joints 3-la, 3- Ib, but it remains in the spirit of the invention, if this seal is obtained by any other means, such as for example an inflatable rubber torus provided with an inflation orifice, said torus then taking the place of said wall and cylindrical joints and in the same way ensuring the tightness of the chamber.

Similarly, it has been described that the magnets 5-1 are actuated by hydraulic cylinders 5-5 powered and driven by the ROV 7, but they can equally well be actuated one by one, directly by the manipulator arm 7-2 of said ROV.

Claims

1. Device (1) for cutting a small first orifice (1-1) in a wall (6) at the bottom of the sea and opening / closing said first orifice, comprising a base (2) having a large second orifice (2-1), characterized in that it comprises:

- anchoring means (5) integral with said base, adapted to anchor said base reversibly on said wall (6) maintaining said large second orifice at a distance from said bottom wall,

a deformable plug (3) integral with said base and making it possible to open or close said large second orifice in the open or closed position of the plug on the base,

deformation means of said plug integral with said base, independent of said anchoring means and adapted to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored on said wall; background (6), and

- Circular cutting means (4) integral with said base and adapted to

Moving in said large second orifice (2-1) of the base to cut a said first small circular orifice below said large second orifice, when said plug is in the closed position and said base is anchored to said wall (6). ) background, and

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said deformation means of said cap are able to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to said wall of said bottom (6) not uniformly flat due to the localized deformation thereof or the presence of a weld bead.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

said base comprises a plate (3-3) comprising a said large second orifice (2-1), and

- - said stopper comprises

A cylindrical wall (3-1) defining a said cylindrical chamber arranged axially (ZZ ¹ ) to the said large second orifice at the underside of the said plate, the said cylindrical wall comprising an upper elastomer seal (3-la) on its upper edge (3 -ld) adapted to create the seal between said plate (3-3) and said cylindrical wall (3-1) and a lower elastomeric seal (3-lb) on its lower edge (3-lc) adapted to create the sealing between said cylindrical wall (3-1) and said bottom wall (6), and

A cover plate (3-2) and tilting means (3-5) of said cover mounted on said plate (3-3), the tilting of said lid making it possible to seal said large second orifice (2- 1), and

said cutting means (4) are integral with said cover (3-2) and comprise a hole saw or trephine (4-1) mounted on the underside of said cover and a motor (4-3) mounted on said cover for sliding (4-2), in the axial direction (ZZ ¹ ) of said large second orifice, and to operate in rotation (4-3) along the same axis (ZZ ¹ ) said hole saw or trephines (4-1),

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said cylindrical wall (3-1) is connected to said plate (3-3) by fixing means (3-4) constituted by controlled spacing means (3). -4) of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate adapted to separate said cylindrical wall (3-l) of said plate (3-3) to allow sealing of said cylindrical wall (3-1) against said wall at the bottom of the sea (6), so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said large second port and the said bottom wall when said base is anchored to said bottom wall and said cover (3) is in the closed position, adjusting the crushing force of the cylindrical wall (3-1) against the bottom wall (6) and the compression of said elastomeric seals.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that:

the fastening means (3-4) consist of controlled separation means (3-4) of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, located and acting on three points arranged in a triangle around said large second orifice,

said spacing means (3-4) being able to cooperate with said elastomer seals, by adjusting the crushing force of the cylindrical wall (3-1) against the bottom wall (6) to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall (6), the cylindrical wall (3-1) and said plate (3-3) surmounted by said lid (3-2) in the closed position, so that:

In its initial close-up position, said upper elastomer seal (3-la) is compressed, and

In the final position of separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, said upper elastomer seal (3-la) is expanded while maintaining a tight connection of said cylindrical wall with said plate, and said lower elastomer seal (3- lb) is compressed, said cylindrical wall being in sealing connection with said bottom wall (6).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said spacing means (3-4) comprise jacks or bolts cooperating with threads of third orifice (2-2) through said plate (3-3). ).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said anchor means comprise magnet blocks (5- 1, 5-2).

8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said magnets allow to secure said plate (3-3) with said bottom wall (6), said magnets then cooperating with said plate in three points. support arranged triangularly around said large second orifice (2-1).

9. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6 and one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said magnets are arranged around said cylindrical cylindrical wall (3-1).

10. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises four magnets (5-1, 5-2) arranged rectangularly and cooperating with said plate (3-3) in three areas:

- first two magnets (5-1) being mounted integral on the underside of said plate (3-2) and on the same side of said rectangle, and

- two second magnets (5-2) being disposed outside said plate (3-2), connected to each other by a connecting arm (5-3) articulated in rotation about a transverse axis median materialized by at least a first end (5-4a) of a second connecting arm (5-4) integral with said plate,

said magnets being activatable by actuation (5-5) of a lever (5-6).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that all or part of said cutting means (4), said means anchoring the base (5), said fixing means (3-4) of said cylindrical wall on said plate and said tilting means (3-5) of said lid are actuable by an ROV (7).

12. Method for laying and anchoring a base on a substantially horizontal bottom wall of the sea and cutting a said bottom wall (6), using a device according to one of the claims. 1 to 11, characterized in that the following successive steps are carried out, in which:

1 descends from the surface, a said device according to one of claims 1 to 11, said cap (3) being in the closed position of said large second orifice, and

2- anchor said base (2) on said bottom wall (6), and

3-deforming said plug so as to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to said bottom wall (6), and

4 is actuated, in longitudinal sliding (ZZ ') towards said bottom wall (6) and in rotation, said cutting means (4) for cutting a said first orifice (1-1) in said wall, said plug (3 ) being in said closed position.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, after said cutting, the following subsequent step is carried out, in which:

5 is actuated longitudinally (ZZ ') in the opposite direction said cutting means holding optionally said cylindrical wall (3-1) pressed against said bottom wall in leaktight connection, said cap always being in said closed position said large second orifice.

14. A method for recovering a viscous fluid such as a polluting effluent, lighter than water, contained in a tank of a cast and / or damaged vessel resting at the bottom of the sea, in which:

A method for laying and anchoring a base and piercing the wall of said vessel is carried out according to a method of laying and anchoring a base on a bottom wall and cutting of said bottom wall according to claim 13, and

2- a said shuttle reservoir (10) is lowered from the surface (14) to the top of said base (2), and

3- anchor (13) said shuttle tank on said bottom wall

(6) or on said base, so that the lower opening (10-1) of said shuttle reservoir is positioned near and above said large second orifice (2-1) of said base, and

4-opening said large second orifice (2-1) of said base with said plug in said open position, and naturally flowing said fluid contained in the tank in said shuttle tank by the lower opening (10); -1) of said shuttle reservoir, and

When said shuttle reservoir is filled with fluid, said shuttle reservoir is brought up to the surface after having closed said first small orifice (1-1) and said large second orifice (2-1) of said base with said plug ( 3) in said closed position, and

7- where appropriate, steps 1- to 6- are repeated with the same shuttle reservoir or another shuttle reservoir until the desired quantity is recovered, said cutting means and said stopper remaining always integral with said anchored base on said bottom wall.

15. Process according to claim 14, characterized in that the additional steps are carried out in which:

a method of laying and anchoring a base and cutting the bottom wall (6) of the same tank (9) is carried out using a second anchoring device (1). base and wall cutout according to one of claims 1 to 11, and cutting a second said first orifice, preferably on the same wall as the first said first orifice according to a method of claim 12, and then

2a-opens said large second orifice of the base of said second device, and is introduced into the second said first hole of said perforated bottom wall, means (14-17) for introducing sea water to the bottom of said tank, as and when the flow of said viscous fluid from the tank to said shuttle tank, through the first said first port (1-1).

16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that, in step 2a-, is introduced a cannula (14) extending to near the bottom (6-1) of the tank (9), said cannula being provided with a valve (15) near its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve (16) to prevent any overpressure in the tank, said sliding cannula with hard friction inside a connecting piece (17), the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice.

Method according to claim 16, characterized in that:

- After the step la- cutting a second said first hole in said bottom wall, is left in place the cutting means (4) of said second device on the bottom wall, so as to keep closed the second said first port (2-1) by said cutting means plugging said first port with retaining means (4-lb), and - In step 2a-, said connecting piece (17) is at least partly funnel-shaped and said cannula (14) is forced into said funnel, until said piece of connection (17) is in sealing connection with the second said second large orifice, then said cannula is slid with respect to said connecting piece (17) by forcing said cannula against said cutting means until said means retaining means (4-lb) yield and drop said cutting means into the vessel, and then continuing to slide said cannula until the lower end of said cannula reaches or rests on the bottom of the vessel then open said upper valve which was previously in the closed position.

18. Method according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that said shuttle reservoir (10) comprises:

a flexible or rigid main envelope (10a) with a cylindrical peripheral wall surmounted by a rigid dome (10b) having a profile in the form of a shell in vertical section, said dome preferably containing buoyancy elements (10c) such as the syntactic foam to control its rise to the surface under the simple action of the buoyancy, preferably shifting the center of buoyancy of said shuttle tank filled with fluid upwards relative to its apparent center of gravity in the water .

19. Method according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the control of the descent speed of a said shuttle tank (10), if any, or of raising said shuttle tank (10), the case optionally, with a stabilizing device (11) comprising at least one cable or link chain (11-1) extending from the surface, preferably from a surface vessel, to said shuttle reservoir (10), the case optionally, to which its end is connected, said cable or said connecting chain (40a, 40b) having a lower portion weighted, preferably by blocks (11-2) arranged in a string along said second cable or by large links heavier from said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said cable or chain hanging below its point of connection (1Od) to said shuttle tank (10), can be adjusted from the surface, preferably to the using a winch located aboard a surface vessel and on which the upper end of said cable or chain is unrolled or wound up, so as to control the speed of descent or ascent of said shuttle tank (10 ) where appropriate.