US20110274496A1

US20110274496A1 - Undersea leak remediation device and method

Info

Publication number: US20110274496A1
Application number: US13/104,940
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven G. Dvorak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-10
Filing date: 2011-05-10
Publication date: 2011-11-10
Also published as: WO2011143276A2; WO2011143276A3; MX2012013123A; EP2569510A2

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a rapidly deployable, low cost, submersible leak remediation device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid. The device features: an anchor unit; a collection shroud capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space, through a riser conduit and into a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a shroud system that can be employed to capture materials leaking from a side rupture of a substantially vertical pipeline and direct such materials, through a conduit, to the surface collection hub. A method of deployment and use of these embodiments to collect such leaking materials from subsea locations is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of and priority to: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/333,221 entitled “Super Quick Undersea Incident Device” and filed May 10, 2010, Confirmation No. 3875; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/349,188 entitled “Super Quick Undersea Incident Device” and filed May 27, 2010, Confirmation No. 8630; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/355,537 entitled “Super Quick Undersea Incident Device” and filed Jun. 16, 2010, Confirmation No. 4913; Said provisional applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Use

The present invention relates generally to the containment of undersea/underwater leaking of crude oil and/or gas (or other leaking materials that are lighter in specific gravity than the surrounding water) emerging from defective marine wells and/or piping, abandoned gas well heads, sunken tankers, submerged vessels or storage tanks, or from naturally occurring subsea/underwater leak events. The present device also has utility in remediating undersea and underwater leaks of other materials that have a lighter specific gravity relative to the ambient marine liquid phase (e.g., sea water, lake water, pond water, river water).
Many underwater spill recovery solutions for, e.g., a leaking subsea oil and gas well, attempt to hold the pressure using concrete and stiff metal piping. Others use oil spill containment domes. These solutions also often employ the use of chemicals in the water that may create environmental hazards to the surrounding areas. Other spill recovery techniques rely on burning off the spill material that migrates to the water surface, letting it dissipate across the water surface, or using chemical dispersants to disperse it rather than collecting and salvaging the spilled materials. As such, there exists a need for a chemical-free (or reduced chemical use), pressure-equalized solution to the containment and capture of the substances leaking from such underwater leak events.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Unlike an oil spill containment zone, the present invention uses no chemicals in the water, equalizes pressure by allowing the leaking materials (e.g., oil and gas) to naturally flow to the surface in a contained fashion. The present invention also permits salvaging of the collected oil rather than burning it off, letting it dissipate across the water surface, or using chemical dispersants. In one embodiment, the present invention uses flexible high strength plastic to capture the spilled materials. The flexible high strength material permits the collection conduits to remain intact even in the presence of deep sea currents and low temperatures. The conduit collection system is permitted flexibility to flow with the currents as the conduit extends from the subsea spill zone to the floating surface collection zone. The device of the present invention can be used to provide rapid control of offshore disasters such as the British Petroleum spill in the Gulf of Mexico while a more permanent solution is devised. The present invention is readily deployable, for example, within days, the system can be deployed and operational.
In one embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed and described a submersible leak remediation device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid comprising: an anchor unit; a collection shroud having a lower end opening, and upper end opening, and an interior space between the upper and lower end openings, the collection shroud lower end being attachable to the anchor unit, the collection shroud lower end opening being capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the lighter specific gravity leaking materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space; a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud, the hub defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid; and a primary riser conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attachable in fluid communication with the collection shroud upper end opening, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space.
The scale of the leak remediation device can be altered, based on the size of the sea floor leak zone, and the depth needed at the rig site. In one embodiment, the lower footprint of the device is 48 foot in diameter to provide a wide collection entrance over the spill site. The leak remediation device may be preassembled and transported to location, or can be assembled on site using, e.g., tugboats, cranes, divers, and submersible remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
The anchor may be a ring shape that is hollow, and once assembled, may be filled in the hollow interior with a heavy weighted ballast material or agent thereby allowing the anchor to sink. The anchor ring may be a unitary construction or assembled in segments Prior to sinking the anchor, the anchor may be maintained on the surface with a series of inflatable/deflatable floatation bladders. Once the floatation bladders are deflated (e.g., by remote solenoid valve actuation), the ring is lowered over the leak site. The high strength plastic shroud attached to the anchor thereby drapes over the upwardly moving leaking materials (e.g., crude oil and gas) creating a guided flow to the surface. The connection points between the shroud and the anchor are designed to permit space so that divers, equipment and/or ROVs may enter beneath the shroud in the vicinity of the leak site to work on fixing the leak or to build new structure as may be desired. The invention may be rapidly deployed, and once in place, will not require on-going subsea operating personnel or equipment. In one embodiment, the surface collection hub is designed to hold about 60,000 barrels of oil. It is envisioned that the present invention can capture a high percentage of the leaking oil and gas, e.g., up to about 99%. As such, although chemical dispersants may still be desired, it is envisioned that the use of the present invention will greatly reduce the need for the use of chemical additives.
If there are multiple leak zones, the present invention could be configured like a gathering system.
In one embodiment of the submersible leak remediation device, the anchor unit comprises a ring-like or semi-ring-like shaped object, the shape being selected from the group consisting of: toroidal shapes, torus shapes, o-ring shapes, circular band shapes, oval band shapes, triangular band shapes, U-shapes, C-shapes, rectangular band shapes, square band shapes, loop shapes, semi-loop shapes.
The submersible leak remediation device anchor unit may comprise one or more internal ballast chambers capable of receiving ballast material, the ballast chambers further comprising one or more ballast inlet ports. The ballast material is selected from the group consisting of: metal shot, sand, drilling muds, weighted drilling muds, barite slurries, hematite slurries, and densified liquid slurries. The anchor unit may comprise a hollow tubular ring. The anchor unit may comprise one or more connectable segments. The anchor unit may be constructed from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fiber-reinforced epoxy, carbon filament reinforced epoxy, fiberglass reinforced epoxy, reinforced plastic, carbon filament reinforced plastic, fiberglass reinforced plastic, reinforced polyethylene, combinations of those materials or other suitable composite materials.
In one embodiment, the collection shroud lower end opening is larger than the collection shroud upper end opening. The shape of the collection shroud .interior space may be selected from the group consisting of: semi-spherical, dome-like, frusto-conical, geodesic dome-like, and parachute-like or other suitable shape. The collection shroud is preferably constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials whose characteristics are high strength, low specific gravity (preferably lower than that of the surrounding higher specific gravity fluid), cold temperature flexibility, and chemical resistance, polypropylene and polyethylene or the like, or other geosynthetic and geomembrane materials, such as those materials available from Colorado Linings International (New Caney, Tex.)(coloradolining.com). In one embodiment of the submersible leak remediation device, the collection shroud lower end opening is scalloped, and the shroud is attached to the anchor at intervals between the scallops. The height of the scalloping permits access through the space between the shroud lower edge and the anchor. In another embodiment, the collection shroud lower end opening is linear, and the shroud is attached to the anchor at intervals along the lower end to permit a suitable access space between the shroud lower edge and the anchor. The collection shroud may be attached to the anchor using any suitable attachment fittings, such as those selected from the group consisting of: marine fittings, pelican hook assemblies, carabiner-type fittings, wire rope pelican hook, grommeted clasp connections, straps, chains, wires, ropes, wire ropes, closable hooks, releasable fittings, releasable hooks, swivel eye hooks, eye slip hooks, reefing hooks, and the like.
In the submersible leak remediation device, the riser conduit may be constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials whose characteristics are high strength, low specific gravity, cold temperature flexibility and chemical resistance, polypropylene and polyethylene and the like or other geosynthetic and geomembrane materials, such as those materials available from Colorado Linings International (New Caney, Tex.) (coloradolining. com).
In one embodiment, the shroud and the riser conduit are of a unitary construction.
In another embodiment, the riser conduit is a unitary construction.
The riser conduit may comprises one or more riser conduit segments that are attached together using suitable attachments.
The submersible leak remediation device may employ one or more gas vents located in the riser conduit.
The present invention also discloses a method for remediating under water leaks comprising the following steps: (a) lowering a submersible leak remediation device designed for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid, the leak remediation device being of the designs described herein; (b) positioning the anchor unit so that the shroud lower end opening is located over the submerged leak location; (c) permitting the leaking materials to rise into the shroud interior space and up through the riser conduit to the surface collection hub; (d) permitting the leaking materials to pool on the water surface within the interior confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space; and (e) removing the pooled leaking materials from the floating surface collection hub for transport to a desired end location.
There is also described herein a submersible vertical pipe side leak containment and collection device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged substantially vertical pipe leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid comprising: an upper c-shaped shroud loop; a lower c-shaped shroud loop; a collection shroud attached between the upper and lower c-shaped loops; an upper shroud pneumatic expandable seal capable of expanding into sealed relation with the pipe above the pipe leak location; a shroud upper discharge port located proximate the upper c-shaped shroud loop; a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud, the hub defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid; and a riser conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attached in fluid communication with the shroud upper discharge port, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space.
Additionally, while the present invention has utility for remediating spills from man-made sources, e.g., a leaking subsea oil well, it can also be deployed over naturally existing oil and gas leaks/vents in the seabed to permit the capture, collection and salvaging of these natural resources.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. These drawings, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary subsea/underwater leak remediation device deployed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary ballast hoop (anchor) used in one embodiment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary deployment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A depicts interlocking segments of an exemplary ballast hoop (anchor) used in one embodiment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B depicts a floatation device associated with an exemplary ballast hoop (anchor) used in one embodiment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C depicts a floatation device associated with an exemplary ballast hoop (anchor) used in one embodiment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary subsea/underwater leak remediation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure shown being deployed on the subsea (or underwater) floor.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment where the riser conduit comprise a series of segments joined together.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment where the riser conduit is outfitted with one or more gas vents.

FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment where the riser conduit is outfitted with one or more gas vents.

FIG. 7 depicts another subsea/underwater leak remediation device for use with pipelines that are not laying in a substantially horizontal orientation, such as, for example, vertical or semi-vertical pipelines.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of the invention and that numerous other variations may be created within the scope of the described invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the subject invention and additional modes, advantages and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although embodiments herein are described in connection with deployment in subsea environments, it will be understood that the device can be deployed in any underwater location (e.g., subsea or beneath the surface of lakes, ponds, rivers, etc.).
The subsea/underwater leak remediation device is sometimes referred to by the inventor as the “SQUID™” device (“Super-Quick Undersea Incident Device”). Its function is to facilitate containment of undersea/underwater leaking of crude oil and/or gas from defective marine wells and/or piping, or from naturally occurring subsea/underwater leak events and recovery of the substances that are leaking. The present device also has utility in remediating undersea and underwater leaks of other materials that have a lighter specific gravity relative to the ambient marine liquid phase (e.g., sea water, lake water, pond water, river water). The present device can be used as part of a first response system for subsea and underwater leaks to contain and collect the leaking substances until such time as a permanent solution is put in place to stop the leak. The ease of deployment of the present invention provides utility as part of such an emergency first response to quickly contain the leak and collect the leaking substances.
In one embodiment, the SQUID device is a flexible tube (e.g., polyethylene) that fits over a subsea well head or other leak zone and functions like an umbilical cord to channel the leaking contents (e.g., crude oil and gas) to collection vessels (e.g., barges) at the surface.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of the subsea/underwater leak containment and collection system 10 that comprises an anchor section 50, a shroud section 20 having upper end 28, shroud exterior surface 22, shroud interior space 24, and a shroud lower edge 26 connectable to the anchor section 50, a primary riser hose/conduit 40 (having an internal conduit space 46) having a lower hose end 44 connected in fluid communication with the shroud section upper end 28 and an upper hose end 42 connected to a floating, enclosed barrier wall collection hub or boom system 70. The shroud 20 serves as an inverted dome-like or cone-like structure. The anchor 50 is deployed to, e.g., the subsurface floor 60 of the sea, lake, river, etc. and is generally centered around a leak site 65 that is leaking materials 66 a that are generally lighter in specific gravity than the surrounding sea/lake, etc. water.
The anchor 50 holds the shroud 20 lower edges 26 centered over the leak site 65 (of e.g., a subsea well 64) to permit the leaking materials 66 a to move generally upward into the interior space 24 of the shroud 20. The anchor 50 may be further secured in place with the use of suitable tethers 56. The anchor 50 may be of unitary construction or be constructed out of multiple segments 52 that are joined together via suitable attachment joints 53. The anchor can be of any desired shape or configuration, it being found that a ring-like shape permits easy handling. The shroud 20 is attached to the anchor 50 at desired attachment points 30, 31 using suitable fasteners such as hooks 110 and grommets 33 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 4B and 4C) or other marine or suitable attachment fittings known in the art, such as those selected from the group consisting of: marine fittings, pelican hook assemblies, carabiner-type fittings, wire rope pelican hook, grommeted clasp connections, straps, chains, wires, ropes, wire ropes, closable hooks, releasable fittings, releasable hooks, swivel eye hooks, eye slip hooks, reefing hooks, and the like.
In one preferred embodiment, the shroud is attached with pelican-type spring clasp hooks to readily permit the shroud lower edge 26 to be attached where desired to the anchor. The lower edge of the shroud may include scallops 32 or be a straight edge 226 (as shown in FIG. 5). The scallop design creates shroud access openings 54 to permit egress and ingress of divers, ROVs 86, equipment, etc. that may be desired in connection with fixing the leak while the leak remediation device 10 remains in place. The openings 54 and the distance between the lower shroud edge 26 and the anchor 50 or seafloor 60 also permits ingress of water into the shroud to permit the shroud 20 and associated riser conduit 40 to remain pressure neutral relative the surroundings.
The overall shape of the shroud is designed to funnel or otherwise direct these rising materials 66 a into the top section 28 of the shroud where the captured materials 66 a now move upward into the primary riser hose 40 until reaching the riser hose upper end 42 proximate the water surface 62 where the collected materials 66 b are then permitted to discharge from the riser hose upper end 42 into the interior confines 71 of the floating walled collection hub 70. The upper end 42 of the riser hose 40 is secured within the interior hub confines 71 via suitable point of attachment 74. The overall diameter of the riser conduit 40 can be selected based on the projected volume of leaking materials 66. In one embodiment, the riser conduit 40 has a diameter falling within the range of 8′ to 36′, but other diameters are possible.
The floating hub 70 outer barrier walls 72 float on the surface of the water 62 to form a floating corral, much like a closed loop oil spill boom. The overall perimeter of the floating hub 70 can be any desired size, however, it is envisioned that an approximate diameter of 300′ to 1000′ feet would be suitable for many situations (depending primarily on the anticipated volume of oil or other materials 66 b to be collected. The hub walls 72 extend above and below the water surface 62 a sufficient distance 73 to permit the collected materials 66 a to rise up through the primary riser hose 40, through the riser hose discharge end 42 and into the interior confines 71 of the floating hub or boom and be contained therein as collected materials 66 b floating on the water surface 62. The collected materials 66 b can be transferred to vessels such as barges 80 or other desired locations via suitable transfer hoses 76 (and suitable transfer motive forces, such as pumps, etc.) If desired, the anchor member 50 may be secured to the sea floor 60 with suitable tethers or other anchoring devices (not shown). Ideally, the overall dimensions of the lower opening/edge 26 of the shroud 20 also mirrors generally the overall diameter of the anchor ring 50. Although a ring-style anchor is described herein, other anchor configurations could be used. For example, a plurality of individual anchor devices could be deployed to the seafloor 60 in spaced relationship around the leak site to permit the shroud to be attached thereto. However, it is preferred to use a single anchor device for ease of deployment.
In one embodiment, the anchor member 50 comprises a concentric ballast hoop 90 such as shown in FIG. 2. This ballast hoop, while depicted as a circular hoop shape, may be of any shape, such as, triangular, square, hexagonal, circular, semi-circular, oval, and the like. With these alternate shaped anchors, one could also modify the shroud lower end opening edge 26 to be of a similar shape. In a preferred embodiment, the ballast hoop 50/100/120/250 is a circular shape to provide more stable hydrodynamic movement when being lowered into the water, and the lower end edge opening of the shroud 50 is also a circular shape. The ballast hoop 90 could range in overall diameter size depending on the circumstances, but diameters of 48′ to 100′ are envisioned. Where large diameters ballast rings 90 are employed, it may be preferable to transport the ring 90 to the site in segments, and to then assemble the competed ring at the surface 62 near the leak site 65. In one embodiment, the anchor 50/250 is a one-piece unitary construction In another embodiment, the anchor comprises a series of sections 100 connectable to each other (using suitable connections known in the art, such as bolts 102 and the like) at a joint 101 to form the desired anchor shape (e.g., circular ring). In another embodiment, the anchor is a solid material providing weight density sufficient to permit the anchor to anchor the shroud in place below the water surface 62. In another embodiment, the anchor has one or more internal ballast chambers that can be filled with desired ballast material 124, such as weighted drilling fluids, metal shot or other suitable ballast material. The ballast ring 90 could be outfitted with a number of internal ballast chambers (not shown) that are contained in the unitary ring embodiment, or within the segments 100 of a segmented embodiment. In one embodiment, the internal ballast chamber comprises the interior annular space 122 of the tubular member 90 (or tubular member segments 100). The ballast chambers preferably have one or more ports 92, 94 to permit adding the ballast to the structure. Depending on the configuration, a single port could be used if the filling process permitted displaced air to be removed from the same port.
The anchor 50, 90 may also be outfitted with one or more air inflatable and deflatable air floatation bladders 96 attached to the anchor or its segments. The inflatable air bladder assists in maintaining the anchor 50, 90 on the water surface 62 until such time as it is desired to deploy the device 10 to the subsea floor 60. In a preferred embodiment, the bladders 96 are equipped with inflation/deflation valves 98 that can be remotely operated, e.g., a battery-powered solenoid value operated by radio signal or other signal.
In one embodiment, the anchor 50 comprises a tubular ring structure or hollow hoop structure made of steel, fiberglass-epoxy or other material which can be: (a) pre-assembled and delivered in an assembled state to a deployment site; or (b) rapidly assembled on the marine surface utilizing segments with couplings and/or integral male/female tubular ends. FIG. 4A shows one such type of male/female anchor segment 100 having tubular mated fittings 104, 106. Sections 100 would allow easy transportation and handling and would be supported during assembly by flotation bladders 96 (i.e. inner tubes) snugly concentric to the hoop's tubular sections. Over-all diameter of the hoop would be dictated by the topographic features of the seabed/underwater leak site and other conditions specific to the given leak incident. Cross-sectional diameter of the hoop's tubular sections would be sufficient to achieve sufficient weight when filled with ballast material to firmly anchor the hoop on the seabed. The hoop may be made from any of a variety of materials, e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fiber-reinforced epoxy, plastic or any appropriate combination of those materials or other suitable composite materials.
Affixed to the hoop in one embodiment is a polypropylene or other plastic material shroud 20 of sufficient dimension to accommodate any broken section of well piping that might be protruding from the seabed. This shroud 20 would be affixed to the hoop 50, 90 with, e.g., a ring-hook-grommet feature (110, 33) such as used on shower curtains or as used in marine fittings. Such attachment of the shroud 20 would permit sufficient open areas between the shroud 20 and hoop 100 to permit ingress of sea water and divers or ROV 86 entry to wellhead 64 (or other) leak site 65. The shroud 20 may be either flexible or rigid and may be fabricated from any of a variety of materials whose characteristics are high strength, low specific gravity and cold temperature flexibility, e.g., polypropylene and polyethylene.
In one embodiment, attached to the top of the shroud 20 is a large diameter, flexible hose 40 made of a material having the same characteristics as the material from which the shroud 20 is fabricated, e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastic of equally low specific gravity. Such hose 40 would be deployed by reel (not shown) and floated on the surface to a sufficient length to reach from surface to leak depth (or greater). In another embodiment, the hose is integral with the shroud. The hose surface end 42 would terminate in a floating hub 70 from which multiple barge/tanker filler (smaller) hoses 76 would emerge. These components would be open to air at the marine surface 62 during deployment (lowering) of the hoop 50 and shroud 20 to permit the water pressure to remain equalized throughout the interior of the shroud and riser hose.
Hoop 50 could be tethered at the surface by radially positioned tugs 80 or ROVs 86. Hoop 50 would then be filled via inlet and relief ports 92, 94 in one section with flowable sand, drilling BB's commonly used in horizontal drilling operations, or heavy weight drilling mud as a ballast material. Such material is of high specific gravity and will cause the hoop to sink to the sea floor 60 or leak site depth. Once filled, the hoop's flotation bladders 96 would be simultaneously triggered to deflate by radio or other signal to battery-powered solenoid valves 98. The hoop/shroud/hose would then be lowered by tethers 84 into position below. If necessary, additional anchoring tethers 56 would be affixed by divers or ROVs.
The hoop's inner side could also be outfitted with cameras and/or other sensors (not shown) to facilitate positioning around the leak or to otherwise make any desired measurements that could then be transmitted to the surface.
The upward flow of the leaking crude oil or gas 66 a would be contained by the shroud 20 and channeled upward through the hose 40 to the surface hub 70. All would occur in a balanced-pressure system with little or no forces acting on the shroud 20 and hose 40 (other than sea currents). However, the design permits the hose 40 to sway with the currents while permitting the captured leaking material to continue to be directed upward to the collection hub 70.
Referring now to FIG. 6A there is shown an embodiment where the riser conduit 340 comprises a plurality of riser conduit segments 340 a, 340 b, that are attached in end-to-end configuration to create the desired length of the riser conduit 340. In this example, each segment 340 a, 340 b has a top edge 342 and a bottom edge 344. As indicated in FIG. 6A, where the riser conduit is oriented toward the surface 62, it is preferred to place the upper end 342 of a lower (deeper) segment (here 340 b) inside the interior of the lower end 344 of the adjacent higher (closer to the surface segment) (here 340 a). The respective lower and upper overlapping ends (344 overlapping over 342) can be secured into position with any number of suitable attachment devices 346, where the top end 347 of attachment device 346 attaches proximate the lower edge 344 of riser segment 340 a, while the lower end 348 of attachment device 346 attaches proximate the upper end 342 of lower riser segment 340 b with spacing to permit the desired degree of overlap. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, many suitable attachment mechanisms can be employed.
Referring now to FIGS. 6B and 6C, the riser conduit 350 (also 40, 240) may further comprise one or more gas vents 360 to permit, as may be desired, the venting out of the riser conduit the gas phase of the leak. The gas vents 360 generally comprise a vent opening 362 in the riser conduit 350 that is covered by a gas vent flap 364 attached at its top edge 364 a in a hingable relationship. To maintain the flap in position during normal operation, the gas vent flap further comprises one or more weights 366 at the bottom edge of the flap 364. When a surge of gas bubbles rises through the riser conduit, the excess gas bubble surge 370 can exit into the surrounding waters rather than continuing through the interior of the riser 350. These gas vents 360 may be positioned at desired locations along the length and circumference of the riser conduit 350. In addition to the use of gas vents 360, the actual junctions between riser conduit segments, e.g., 340 a and 340 b (FIG. 6A) can also serve to permit the egress of excess gasses.
FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary deployment of a subsea/underwater leak remediation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the barge/tugs 80 are deployed to the area proximate the leak site 65 with the remediation device 10. If the ballast ring 50 is preassembled on shore, then it is preferably outfitted also with one or more spaced apart air inflation bladders 96 that have remotely actuatable deflation valves 98. The bladders are filled with air and the ballast ring 50 is readied for deployment. The ballast ring 50 is attached to multiple crane wires or tethers 84 that are controlled by cranes 82 on the barges/tugs 80. The ballast ring can then be floated on the water surface 62 and also controlled via the crane tethers 84. Suitable ballast material 124 can be added to the ring ballast 50. The shroud 20 is attached to the ballast ring 50. If desired, ROVs can also guide additional positioning tethers 88 that are attached at one end to the ballast ring 50 and at the other end to the ROV 86. The riser hose 40 is readied for deployment. In one embodiment, the riser hose 40 is integral with the shroud 20. In other embodiments, the riser hose is attached to the shroud upper end 28, for example, in the manner illustrated with respect to FIG. 6A. In one embodiment, the riser conduit 40 is stored on a spool (not shown) and is unspooled during deployment as needed. In another embodiment, the riser conduit is assembled in sections as illustrated in FIG. 6A. In another embodiment, as part of the deployment, the desired length of riser conduit 40 (whether unitary or segmented) is floated on top of the water surface 62 (via its own inherent bouancy). Once the riser hose is connected to the shroud (or if a unitary shroud riser, once such unitary shroud and riser are readied), any inflated air bladders 96 are deflated (preferably via remote control of a battery operated solenoid valve 98, and the anchor ring is lowered and guided into position over the leak site to the desired depth. In one embodiment, where the leak emerges from a area close to the seafloor 60, the anchor ring 40 is lowered to the seafloor 60 and positioned so that the shroud 20 is substantially directly over the leak site 65. ROVs 86 can be used to assist in fine-tuning the placement of the ballast ring 50 using tethers 88. If desired, the ring 50 can be secured to the seabed 60 using tethers 56.
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an exemplary subsea/underwater leak remediation device 210 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is similar to the one disclosed in FIG. 1, but uses different attachment mechanisms to attach the shroud 220 to the anchor ring 250, and illustrates a different lower edge profile 226 for the shroud 220, this edge profile 226 being depicted as substantially linear, but other configurations are possible. This embodiment similarly comprises an anchor section 250, a shroud section 220 having upper end 228, shroud exterior surface 222, shroud interior space 224, and a shroud lower edge 226 connectable to the anchor section 250. This embodiment also comprises a primary riser hose/conduit 240 (having an internal conduit space 246) having a lower hose end 424 connected in fluid communication with the shroud section upper end 228 and an upper hose end 242 connected to a floating, enclosed barrier wall collection hub or boom system 70. The shroud 220 serves as an inverted dome-like or cone-like structure. The anchor 250 is deployed to, e.g., the subsurface floor 60 of the sea, lake, river, etc. and is generally centered around a leak site 160 that is leaking materials 66 a that are generally lighter in specific gravity than the surrounding sea/lake, etc. water.
The anchor 250 holds the shroud 220 lower edges 226 centered over the leak site 160 to permit the leaking materials 66 a to move generally upward into the interior space 224 of the shroud 220. The anchor 250 may be further secured in place with the use of suitable tethers (not shown). The anchor 250 may be of unitary construction (as shown) or be constructed out of multiple segment that are joined together via suitable attachment joints as in other embodiments. The anchor can be of any desired shape or configuration, it being found that a ring-like shape permits easy handling. The shroud 220 is attached to the anchor 250 at desired attachment points 230, 231 using suitable fasteners such as straps 232, hooks 110 and grommets 33 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 4B and 4C) or other marine or suitable attachment fittings known in the art, such as those selected from the group consisting of: marine fittings, pelican hook assemblies, carabiner-type fittings, wire rope pelican hook, grommeted clasp connections, straps, chains, wires, ropes, wire ropes, closable hooks, releasable fittings, releasable hooks, swivel eye hooks, eye slip hooks, reefing hooks, and the like. In this embodiment, the length of the attachment straps 232 (and the spacing therebetween) provide a desired access space or shroud opening 234 to permit ingress/egress of divers, ROVs, equipment and the like.
In one embodiment, attached to the top of the shroud 220 is a large diameter, flexible hose 240 made of a material having the same characteristics as the material from which the shroud 220 is fabricated, e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastic of equally low specific gravity. Such hose 240 could be deployed by reel (not shown) and floated on the surface to a sufficient length to reach from surface to leak depth (or greater). In another embodiment, the hose is integral with the shroud. The hose 240 lower end 244 is attached to or otherwise integral with the shroud 220 upper end 228. The hose surface end 242 would terminate in a floating hub 70 from which multiple barge/tanker filler (smaller) hoses 76 would emerge. These components would be open to air at the marine surface 62 during deployment (lowering) of the hoop 250 and shroud 220 to permit the water pressure to remain equalized throughout the interior of the shroud and riser hose. As in other embodiments, the leaking materials 66 a would migrate upward into the shroud interior space 224 and be directed into the riser conduit interior space 246.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is also described herein a submersible vertical pipe side leak containment and collection device 130 for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged substantially vertical pipe 148 leak location 150 in a heavier specific gravity fluid comprising: an upper c-shaped shroud loop 131; a lower c-shaped shroud loop 134; a collection shroud 132 attached between the upper and lower c-shaped loops; an upper shroud pneumatic expandable seal 140 capable of expanding into sealed relation 142 with the pipe 148 outer surface above the pipe leak location 150. The shroud 132 has a lower end 132 a (attached to lower c-shaped shroud hoop 134 along attachment line 138) and an upper end 132 b (attached to upper c-shaped shroud hoop 131 along attachment line 136). The shroud 123 is open at its bottom, providing an opening 139 to permit pressure-balancing with the surrounding environment. A shroud upper discharge port 144 is located proximate the upper c-shaped shroud loop 131. Much like with the prior embodiments, this embodiment can also utilize a floating surface collection hub 70 (not shown in FIG. 7) in fluid communication with the collection shroud 132 interior space, the hub 70 defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface 62 of the heavier specific gravity fluid. This device 130 also further comprises a riser conduit 146 having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attached in fluid communication with the shroud upper discharge port 144, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub 70 interior to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space 71 and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid 62 within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space 71. In this embodiment, it is preferred to orient the shroud exit port 144 proximate the side leak site 150 of the pipe 148. This embodiment is not designed to create a perfect canopy shroud around the leak, just enough of one to permit the natural pressure-equalized flow of the exiting leaking materials 152 to flow up through the conduit 146. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 can be guided into place with ROVs 86 and/or divers. In this embodiment, the pneumatic seal 140 may be remotely activated (inflated) by remotely triggering an inflation source or charge (not shown) that is affixed to the device 130 or via ROV. Other suitable mechanisms could be employed for moving the seal 14 o into sealed relation 142 with the pipe 148, such as mechanically activated seals, hydraulically activated seals, electrically activated seals, electromagnetically activated seals and the like, either remotely activated or via divers or ROVs.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to containing leaks along substantially vertical stands of otherwise intact pipeline. This embodiment generally features two hoops in parallel orientation, open in the shape of a “C” with the shroud deployed in a curtain-like fashion between the two hoops. This arrangement would allow capture of leaking material 152 issuing from a side rupture 150 on an otherwise intact linear run of vertical pipe. Once in position, the inner surface of the upper hoop 131 deploys a pneumatically expandable membrane 140 to contract in a sphincter-like or sealed fashion 142 around the leaking pipe 148. In this case the hose 146 would be affixed to the shroud 132 generally in a “y” position.
Most underwater solutions attempt to hold the pressure using concrete and stiff metal piping. Unlike rigid containment domes prone to freeze-up or eco-toxic dispersants, the SQUID uses no chemicals in the water, equalizes pressure by allowing the oil to naturally flow to the surface in a contained fashion, and even allows salvaging of that oil for use, rather than burning it off or letting it dissipate across the ocean's surface. This solution uses flexible high strength plastic to capture the oil and is impervious to deep sea currents and low temperatures. It “goes with the flow” of the water.
The scale of the SQUID can be altered, based on the size of the sea floor leak site and depth needed at the rig site. Current prototypes are 48′ in diameter, easily assembled on site (sea surface) by divers and tug boats. The ring is delivered hollow; once it is assembled, a heavy agent will fill the inner ring, allowing the ring to sink, while deflating the flotation devices holding the ring above water.
The ring then sinks to cover the leak site, draping the high strength plastic around the leak site, creating a guided flow to the surface. The connection points between the ring and plastic are porous, allowing divers and equipment to flow freely in and out of the shroud, facilitating work to fix the leak or build anew.
The SQUID can be used to control disasters like the British Petroleum (BP) crude oil leak one that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, or to capture and capitalize on sea floor oil leaks like this that occur naturally all the time.
It is a deployable, flexible shroud and riser that is taken all the way down by an anchoring ring. Oil that will rise naturally due to the specific gravity being much less than the sea water, rises as it is already occurring, but it is contained in the shroud and the riser until it can rise into a semi submerged inflatable boom structure. The oil will rise, and instead of spilling across the water surface, it is contained in a manageable area where it can be siphoned off and separated from the water.
The mechanism works based on Archimedes' principle—the specific gravity of oil being much less than that of water causes the oil to rise to the surface. It is anticipated that some of the heavier fractions of crude oil will be maintained at lower depths, but the overall ambient trend is for the bulk of the oil to move toward the surface. Sea water provides much better buoyancy for oil than fresh water.
The anchor ring can be a sectional ring which can be assembled on the surface of the sea by divers and then it is floated on floatation rings. Once the shroud (e.g., a polypropylene reinforced material) is attached to the anchor, the shroud and riser conduit can be deployed on the surface in a mile-long length or greater, whatever the depth needs to be (or it can be spooled off a reel during deployment). The assembly is then deployed and lowered over the leaking oil. The device preferably has a relatively large footprint. For example, a 48′ diameter anchor would create a suitably large footprint area to work with around the leak site, but it could be made to any size necessary to cover the particular major leak site and any secondary leak sites so that it can all be captured in one step. Many other suitable diameters, e.g., from 48′ to 100′, could be employed. The assembly will be lowered and settles over the leak. The oil is captured in the shroud, and then rises to the surface within the riser conduit, where it can be captured into the floating hub arrangement. The assembly also captures gasses, methane, and whatever other gasses might be emerging from the leak site.
The top end of the riser conduit terminates in a floating hub or type arrangement. In one embodiment, the floating hub has a bottom floor structure (not shown), and the riser conduit discharges into an inlet opening 74 in the hub floor. In another embodiment, the hub is formed as a perimeter enclosed boom structure with no floor member.
The shroud has a much lower specific gravity than the water so that it will naturally float. It will be able to withstand sea water or sea currents. It will act basically in the same manner as the plume of oil. It will follow any ambient currents. The oil will accumulate and flow to the surface. Rather than being corralled at the surface by a containment device, it is being captured into a manageable riser so that it can then be siphoned off or separated at site on barges or other vessels.
The SQUID device is anchored at the bottom by the hoop. If the anchor hoop needs any additional anchoring it can be physically anchored at the sea bottom or held by ROVs or any other means necessary. Given the open design, the force exerted by the rising crude is not anticipated to be sufficient to disrupt the placement of the anchor since it is being drained and going to open air, so there is no lift on the shroud so the use of the anchorage would typically be keep the anchor from drifting off the site.
The hoop itself may be deployed in sections. These can be large, 45 degree bends of relatively great diameter pipe—18″, 24″ depending upon the overall size of the unit, which connect by either couplings at the segments or by male female joining. When it is assembled, it will be floating on the surface via floatation collars, e.g., big inner tubes, that are in sufficient number to keep the segments floating while assembling. When ready to lower the ring, these floatation collars are all simultaneously deflated with a solenoid valve that is battery powered and actuated by a radio signal. If one of the deflation valves fails to deploy, it can be manually deflated (e.g., manually punctured).
Once the hoop is assembled, it is filled via a filler port in one of the segments with a very dense, high specific gravity, drilling bb. These are used in horizontal drilling and they have a tendency to flow horizontally. So, once they flow horizontally, it can even be mixed with a water medium to increase the flow. It is pumped in by barge into the inlet ring giving it a very, very heavy weight. This is very easy to transport to the site because the individual empty segments are relatively light and the weight is only adding after assembly at the site.
Once assembled and ready to deploy below, the device 10 is tethered 84 by barge or tug 84 from various points at the surface that would lower the ring and allow it to be centered by GPS or any other reconnaissance, over the leak site. Tugs would maintain that drift, and at the bottom, the device could also ne oriented by ROV. Cameras could be used on the interior of the rings so you can position the device with visual precision while also obtaining more reconnaissance from the area of the leak. Any desired kind of telemetry or data collection devices could also be incorporated into the riser and shroud via optic or other cabling method.
The way the shroud is attached to the hoop is, e.g., by rings placed at regular intervals around the hoop and then the shroud would be attached in parachute fashion to the top of the hoop. This would allow a little scalloping effect around the perimeter which would be sufficient room for the entry of ROVs, divers or whatever equipment needed to enter horizontally and then address the actual repair, capping, etc. of the leak. The shroud does not sit like a rigid concrete dome or coffer dam that is setting hard on the surface 60. Instead, the present design permits the influx of divers, ROVs and equipment. Even where the shroud is suspended above the leak, the petroleum crude still would continue to rise up into the interior space of the shroud and up through the riser conduit to the surface containment hub.
The SQUID, super quick undersea incident device, as the inventor refers to it, is effective for not only man made emergencies, but also for naturally occurring subsurface leaks, and can be used to capture any kind of oil plume that is leaking from a geological feature. It is more cost effective than the current subsea oil containment solutions.
As an alternate design in case there is a side pipe leak on a riser, the invention concept would be modified. It would employ two rings, similarly deployed, but having the shroud suspended between the two rings. They would have slightly different specific gravities so that they would actually maintain their horizontal, parallel placement with respect to each other. And in this case, the top hoop would have a pneumatic inner sleeve which could be actuated to tighten around the pipe. This is a smaller unit, a little more precise, but a pipe side leak is typically a much smaller leak site. In this case, the shroud could be manipulated around, and most of the escaping plume would be flowing up the riser conduit.
This specification is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. As already stated, various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of components or adjustments made in the steps of the method without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this specification.

Claims

1. A submersible leak remediation device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid comprising:

a. an anchor unit;

b. a collection shroud having a lower end opening, and upper end opening, and an interior space between the upper and lower end openings, the collection shroud lower end being attachable to the anchor unit, the collection shroud lower end opening being capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the lighter specific gravity leaking materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space;

c. a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud, the hub defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid; and

d. a primary riser conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attachable in fluid communication with the collection shroud upper end opening, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space.

2. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the anchor unit comprises a ring-like or semi-ring-like shaped object, the shape being selected from the group consisting of: toroidal shapes, torus shapes, o-ring shapes, circular band shapes, oval band shapes, triangular band shapes, U-shapes, C-shapes, rectangular band shapes, square band shapes, loop shapes, semi-loop shapes.

3. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 2 wherein the anchor unit comprises one or more internal ballast chambers capable of receiving ballast material, the ballast chambers further comprising one or more ballast inlet ports.

4. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 3 wherein the ballast material is selected from the group consisting of: metal shot, sand, drilling muds, weighted drilling muds, barite slurries, hematite slurries, and densified liquid slurries.

5. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 2 wherein the anchor unit comprises a hollow tubular ring.

6. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 2 wherein the anchor unit comprises one or more connectable segments.

7. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 2 wherein the anchor unit is constructed from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fiber-reinforced epoxy, carbon filament reinforced epoxy, fiberglass reinforced epoxy, reinforced plastic, carbon filament reinforced plastic, fiberglass reinforced plastic, reinforced polyethylene, combinations of those materials or other suitable composite materials.

8. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the collection shroud lower end opening is larger than the collection shroud upper end opening.

9. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 8 wherein the shape of the collection shroud interior space is selected from the group consisting of: semi-spherical, dome-like, frusto-conical, geodesic dome-like, and parachute-like.

10. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the collection shroud is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials whose characteristics are high strength, low specific gravity, preferably lower than that of the higher specific gravity fluid, cold temperature flexibility and chemical resistance, polypropylene and polyethylene or the like.

11. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the collection shroud lower end opening is scalloped, and wherein the shroud is attached to the anchor at intervals between the scallops.

12. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the collection shroud lower end opening is linear, and wherein the shroud is attached to the anchor at intervals along the lower end.

13. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the collection shroud is attached to the anchor using suitable attachment fittings selected from the group consisting of: marine fittings, pelican hook assemblies, carabiner-type fittings, wire rope pelican hook, grommeted clasp connections, straps, chains, wires, ropes, wire ropes, closable hooks, releasable fittings, releasable hooks, swivel eye hooks, eye slip hooks, reefing hooks, and the like.

14. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the primary riser conduit is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials whose characteristics are high strength, low specific gravity, cold temperature flexibility and chemical resistance, polypropylene and polyethylene and the like.

15. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the shroud and the riser conduit are of a unitary construction.

16. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the riser conduit is a unitary construction.

17. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the riser conduit comprises one or more riser conduit segments that are attached together.

18. The submersible leak remediation device of claim 1 wherein the riser conduit further comprises one or more gas vents.

19. A method for remediating under water leaks comprising the following steps:

a. Lowering a submersible leak remediation device designed for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid, the leak remediation device comprising: an anchor unit; a collection shroud having a lower end opening, and upper end opening, and an interior space between the upper and lower end openings, the collection shroud lower end being attachable to the anchor unit, the collection shroud lower end opening being capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the lighter specific gravity leaking materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space; a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud, the hub defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid; and a primary riser conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attachable in fluid communication with the collection shroud upper end opening, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space;

b. positioning the anchor unit so that the shroud lower end opening is located over the submerged leak location;

c. permitting the leaking materials to rise into the shroud interior space and up through the riser conduit to the surface collection hub;

d. permitting the leaking materials to pool on the water surface within the interior confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space; and

e. removing the pooled leaking materials from the floating surface collection hub for transport to a desired end location.

20. A submersible vertical pipe side leak containment and collection device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged substantially vertical pipe leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid comprising:

a. an upper c-shaped shroud loop;

b. a lower c-shaped shroud loop;

c. a collection shroud attached between the upper and lower c-shaped loops;

d. an upper shroud pneumatic expandable seal capable of expanding into sealed relation with the pipe above the pipe leak location;

e. a shroud upper discharge port located proximate the upper c-shaped shroud loop;

f. a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud, the hub defining an enclosed perimeter space on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid; and

g. a riser conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the lower riser conduit end being attached in fluid communication with the shroud upper discharge port, the riser conduit upper end being attachable to the floating surface collection hub to permit the lighter specific gravity materials to flow upward therethrough and discharge into the enclosed perimeter space and float on the surface of the heavier specific gravity fluid within the confines of the hub enclosed perimeter space.