Method and apparatus for controlling an underwater well blowout

Patent · Tue Mar 09 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5144957

Lunde, P A; Phillips, P S

An apparatus is disclosed for controlling an underwater well blowout,. It includes a vessel with a lower weighted collar vent ports intermediate the top and bottom of the vessel a valve controlled chimney at the top of the vessel, a gas outlet positioned to provide a gas cap in the vessel when the valve is closed with the vessel in position around the blowing well, an oil outlet above the vent ports and below the gas cap and means for pumping substantially only oil from the vessel at a rate to prevent oil from escaping from the vessel to the sea in substantial quantities. The method includes the steps of lowering a vessel with a weighted collar, a frusto-conical upper section, a valve controlled chimney leading from the upper section, vent parts, an oil outlet above the vent ports and a gas outlet providing a gas cap, over an underwater blowing well with the chimney valve open, seating the vessel on the bottom around and over the blowing well , pumping substantially only oil including entrained gas from the oil outlet and conducting free gas away from the vessel.

• Assignee: Ocean Resources Engr Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4318442
• OSTI ID: 5144957
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
020600 -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
42 ENGINEERING
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
ACCIDENTS
BLOWOUT PREVENTERS
BLOWOUTS
CHIMNEYS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EXPLOSIONS
OIL SPILLS
OIL WELLS
POLLUTION CONTROL
UNDERWATER EXPLOSIONS
UNDERWATER OPERATIONS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WELLS