Containment unit and method of using same

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to containment and control of an oil spill caused by a damaged or broken riser in deepwater. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reusable unit that will contain oil spills to a specific location and will also allow oil to be harvested as it flows to the top of the unit while minimizing or even eliminating any environmental clean-up cost. The unit of the present invention is dropped over a damaged or broken riser in a closed positin, the unit is released and stabilized in sections until the surface is reached and the containment unit is completely erected.

1 . A containment unit for containing a leak of a material into an ambient fluid, the containment unit comprising:
 a weighted base for being disposed around the leak while allowing the ambient fluid to enter the containment unit;   at least one flotation unit attachable to the weighted base, the at least one flotation unit being configured such that multiple said flotation units can be attached together for use in different depths of the ambient fluid; and   a barrier for preventing escape of the material.   
     
     
         2 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the containment unit is reusable. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises reinforced concrete supported by a brace. 
     
     
         6 . The containment unit of  claim 5 , wherein the brace is metal. 
     
     
         7 . The containment unit of  claim 6 , wherein the metal is aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The containment unit of  claim 5 , wherein the brace is PVC filled with concrete. 
     
     
         9 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the flotation unit comprises coated foam supported by a brace. 
     
     
         14 . The containment unit of  claim 13 , wherein the brace is metal. 
     
     
         15 . The containment unit of  claim 14 , wherein the metal is aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The containment unit of  claim 13 , wherein the brace is PVC filled with concrete. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The containment unit of  claim 13 , wherein the coated foam is Styrofoam coated with plastic or rubber. 
     
     
         19 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is flexible. 
     
     
         20 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises Kevlar or rubber. 
     
     
         21 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is reinforced. 
     
     
         22 . The containment unit of  claim 21 , wherein the barrier is reinforced with rubber coated cables or solid PVC piping. 
     
     
         23 . The containment unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a storm cap. 
     
     
         24 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The containment unit of claim  31 , wherein the containment unit is a transfer tank. 
     
     
         33 . The containment unit of claim  31 , wherein the base is open. 
     
     
         34 . The containment unit of claim  31 , wherein the top is enclosed. 
     
     
         35 . A method of using the containment unit of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 a. deploying the compressed containment unit to an ocean floor over a broken riser while the at least one flotation unit is in the first, compressed position;   b. releasing a first said flotation unit;   c. releasing subsequent said flotation units sequentially until an ocean surface is reached; and   d. anchoring each said flotation unit as necessary before releasing a subsequent segment of the flotation unit.   
     
     
         36 . A method of using the containment unit of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 a. providing the base unit around the leak;   b. assembling enough of said flotation units together to account for a depth of the ambient fluid; and   c. anchoring said flotation units to the base unit.