Collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout
View Patent ↗A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout includes a tubular housing having a containment chamber; a seal connected to the housing; a tubular chimney connected to the housing, having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber; and a head connected to the housing and the chimney.
1. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a face seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an existing profile of or cut made into a lower marine riser package;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head;
a conical landing guide connected to or formed into a lower portion of the frame; and
one or more pads connected to an inner surface of the landing guide.
2. The collector of claim 1 , wherein the seal has a diameter corresponding to the chamber diameter.
3. The collector of claim 1 , further comprising a sprayer ring located adjacent to the seal and having outlets spaced therearound.
4. The collector of claim 3 , further comprising a control panel operable by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the control panel having a port in fluid communication with the sprayer ring.
5. The collector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a support ring connected to the landing guide and having a diameter corresponding to a major diameter of the landing guide;
a solid weight disposed in an annulus formed between the support ring and the landing guide.
6. The collector of claim 1 , further comprising a check valve allowing flow from the chamber through the vent port and preventing reverse flow from the vent port into the chamber.
7. The collector of claim 6 , wherein the vent port is equipped with a connector that permits connection of an additional collection conduit.
8. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a solid overshot or lip seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an outer surface of a lower marine riser package or blowout preventer;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line; and
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head,
wherein the seal has a diameter greater than the chamber diameter.
9. The collector of claim 8 , further comprising:
a conical landing guide connected to or formed into a lower portion of the frame; and
one or more pads connected to an inner surface of the landing guide.
10. The collector of claim 9 , further comprising a sprayer ring connected to the landing guide and having outlets spaced therearound.
11. The collector of claim 10 , further comprising a control panel operable by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the control panel having a port in fluid communication with the sprayer ring.
12. The collector of claim 9 , further comprising:
a support ring connected to the landing guide and having a diameter corresponding to a major diameter of the landing guide; and
a solid weight disposed in an annulus formed between the support ring and the landing guide.
13. The collector of claim 8 , further comprising a check valve allowing flow from the chamber through the vent port and preventing reverse flow from the vent port into the chamber.
14. The collector of claim 13 , wherein the vent port is equipped with a connector that permits connection of an additional collection conduit.
15. The collector of claim 8 , further comprising a drill string receiver disposed between the chimney and the head.
16. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber and a doorway formed in a side thereof for receiving an end of a tubular laying on or near the a floor of the sea;
an outer seal lining the doorway for engaging an upper portion of the tubular end;
an inner seal extending inward from an inner surface of the housing for engaging a lower portion of the tubular end;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having an injection port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
lugs connected to an outer surface of the housing; and
a leg for fastening to each frame and for engaging the seafloor to stabilize the collector therefrom.
17. The collector of claim 16 , wherein one of the legs is substantially longer than the other leg to facilitate positioning of the collector about the tubular end.
18. The collector of claim 16 , wherein the outer seal extends around the housing inner surface.
19. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a seal connected to the housing;
a tubular chimney connected to the housing, having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connected to the housing and the chimney;
a conical landing guide connected to or formed into a lower portion of the housing;
one or more pads connected to an inner surface of the landing guide;
a sprayer ring connected to the landing guide and having outlets spaced therearound; and
a control panel operable by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the control panel having a port in fluid communication with the sprayer ring.
20. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a face seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an existing profile of or cut made into a lower marine riser package;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head; and
a sprayer ring located adjacent to the seal and having outlets spaced therearound.
21. The collector of claim 20 , further comprising a control panel operable by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the control panel having a port in fluid communication with the sprayer ring.
22. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a face seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an existing profile of or cut made into a lower marine riser package;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head; and
a check valve allowing flow from the chamber through the vent port and preventing reverse flow from the vent port into the chamber.
23. The collector of claim 22 , wherein the vent port is equipped with a connector that permits connection of an additional collection conduit.
24. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a solid overshot or lip seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an outer surface of a lower marine riser package or blowout preventer;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head;
a conical landing guide connected to or formed into a lower portion of the frame; and
one or more pads connected to an inner surface of the landing guide.
25. The collector of claim 24 , further comprising a sprayer ring connected to the landing guide and having outlets spaced therearound.
26. The collector of claim 25 , further comprising a control panel operable by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the control panel having a port in fluid communication with the sprayer ring.
27. The collector of claim 24 , further comprising:
a support ring connected to the landing guide and having a diameter corresponding to a major diameter of the landing guide; and
a solid weight disposed in an annulus formed between the support ring and the landing guide.
28. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a solid overshot or lip seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an outer surface of a lower marine riser package or blowout preventer;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head; and
a check valve allowing flow from the chamber through the vent port and preventing reverse flow from the vent port into the chamber.
29. The collector of claim 28 , wherein the vent port is equipped with a connector that permits connection of an additional collection conduit.
30. A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:
a tubular housing having a containment chamber;
a solid overshot or lip seal connected to a lower portion of the housing for engaging an outer surface of a lower marine riser package or blowout preventer;
a tubular chimney having a portion of a subsea connector and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber;
a head connecting the housing and the chimney and having a vent port and an injection port, each port formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with the containment chamber;
a shutoff valve connected to the vent port;
a coupling connected to the injection port for receiving an injection line;
a frame extending along an outer surface of the housing and the head; and
a drill string receiver disposed between the chimney and the head.