Subsea capture system and method of using same

Abstract

A subsea capture system, comprising a plurality of leak sources on a sea floor, the leak sources having a density less than sea water; and a plurality of capture devices located above each of the plurality of leak sources, the capture devices comprising a funnel shape comprising a large bottom opening inlet and tapering to a small top opening outlet

We claim: 
     
         1 . A subsea capture system, comprising:
 a plurality of leak sources on a sea floor, the leak source fluids having a density less than sea water; and   a plurality of capture devices located above the plurality of leak sources, the capture devices comprising a funnel shape comprising a large bottom opening inlet and tapering to a small top opening outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak sources comprise oil. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak sources comprise natural gas. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak sources comprise fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the capture devices is connected to a flow line. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the capture devices is connected to a flow line, and each of the flow lines are connected to a riser. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of leak sources comprise from about 3 to about 10 leak sources. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capture device comprises a major dimension across a base of the device from about 0.5 meters to about 10 meters. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capture device comprises a diameter across a base of the device from about 1 meters to about 5 meters. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capture device comprises a flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one capture device is fluidly sealed or partially sealed to enclose a leak source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one capture device is fluidly sealed to a blow out preventer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator fluidly connected to the capture devices. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid storage vessel fluidly connected to the capture devices. 
     
     
         15 . A method of capturing subsea leaks, comprising:
 locating a plurality of leak sources on a sea floor, the leak source fluids having a density less than sea water;   installing capture devices above the plurality of leak sources, the capture devices comprising an opening at a bottom of the capture device to receive the leak source within the capture device; and   collecting the leak source at one or more collection points located at a top of the capture devices.