Method for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout or oil seep

1. A method for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout, comprising:

lowering a collector from a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) onto a seafloor at a location distant from subsea equipment blowing production fluid;

connecting a workstring to the collector;

injecting an inert gas through the workstring;

moving the MODU and connected collector to the subsea equipment and landing the collector onto the equipment while maintaining injection of the inert gas;

halting injection of the inert gas; and

routing a top of the workstring to surface collection equipment, thereby directing the blowing production fluid from the subsea equipment into a chimney of the collector, wherein the chimney is connected to the MODU by the workstring.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting an injection line to the collector; and

injecting hydrates inhibitor through the injection line and into the collector.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the collector has one or more vents, and

the method further comprises closing the vents.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising injecting dispersant into the vents or adjacent a bottom of the collector.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein a check valve prevents flow of seawater into each vent.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

separating crude oil from the blowing production fluid; and

storing the separated crude oil.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the collector forms a controlled gap seal with the subsea equipment.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the production fluid naturally flows to the MODU.