Subsea mechanical dispersion system

Abstract

A subsea mechanical dispersion system can include a dispersion device having a base, a securing mechanism, and a bail, where the base has an inlet and a base wall forming a base cavity that provides a continuous path from the inlet to the bail, where the securing mechanism, when in an engaged position, is configured to affix the base to an outer surface of a mandrel at a top end of a remainder of a subterranean string, where the bail includes one or more nozzles. The subsea mechanical dispersion system can also include a subsea injection pump that is configured to pump, while located in water, a fluid through piping, the base cavity, and a channel in the bail to the nozzle. The system may also include auxiliary injection of chemical dispersants from a subsea storage container, delivered by a secondary subsea pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A subsea mechanical dispersion system comprising:
 a dispersion device comprising a base, a securing mechanism, and a bail, wherein the base comprises an inlet and a base wall forming a base cavity that provides a continuous path from the inlet to the bail, wherein the securing mechanism is coupled to the base wall, wherein the securing mechanism, when in an engaged position, is configured to affix the base to an outer surface of a mandrel at a top end of a remainder of a subterranean string, wherein the bail comprises a bail wall that forms a channel, and wherein the channel is continuous from the base cavity at its proximal end and a nozzle at its distal end;   a subsea injection pump that is configured to pump a fluid while located in water; and   piping positioned between and coupled to the subsea injection pump and the inlet of the base, wherein the subsea injection pump, when operating, is configured to pump the fluid through the piping, the base cavity, and the channel in the bail to the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the piping is flexible. 
     
     
         3 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the bail is adjustable relative to the base while maintaining continuity between the nozzle and the inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is adjustable relative to the bail. 
     
     
         5 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises seawater. 
     
     
         6 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage container configured to store an additional fluid;   additional piping disposed between the storage container and the piping; and   an additional pump inline with the additional piping, wherein the additional pump is configured to pump the additional fluid to the piping so that the additional fluid mixes with the fluid before flowing through the nozzle.   
     
     
         7 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 6 , wherein the additional fluid comprises a surfactant. 
     
     
         8 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 6 , wherein the additional fluid comprises a dispersant. 
     
     
         9 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an energy storage device configured to provide power for operating the additional pump.   
     
     
         10 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve integrated with the piping, wherein the valve is configured to control the flow of the fluid through the piping.   
     
     
         11 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion device further comprises a valve that is configured to control the flow of the fluid between the inlet of the dispersion device and the nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion device, the piping, and the pump are configured to be arranged in a basket that is lowered to a seabed from a platform above a waterline of the water. 
     
     
         13 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 12 , wherein the dispersion device is configured to be removed from the basket by a ROV when the skid rests on the seabed and while the pump remains arranged on the basket. 
     
     
         14 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 13 , wherein the dispersion device is further configured to be positioned, using the ROV, adjacent to the mandrel at the top end of the remainder of the subterranean string, and wherein the securing mechanism of the dispersion device is configured to be manipulated by the ROV to couple to the outer surface of the mandrel. 
     
     
         15 . The subsea mechanical dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is configured to operate using power provided through an electrical cable from a power source located above a surface above the water. 
     
     
         16 . A dispersion device of a subsea mechanical dispersion system, the dispersion device comprising:
 a base comprising an inlet and a base wall forming a base cavity, wherein the inlet is configured to couple to piping that provides a fluid, propelled by a subsea pump, to the base cavity;   a securing mechanism coupled to the base wall, wherein the securing mechanism, when in an engaged position, is configured to affix the base to an outer surface of a mandrel at a top end of a remainder of a subterranean string; and   a bail comprising a bail wall that forms a channel, wherein the channel is continuous with the base cavity through a nozzle at its distal end, and wherein the channel and the base cavity provide a continuous path from the inlet to the nozzle.   
     
     
         17 . The dispersion device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an additional bail comprising an additional bail wall that forms an additional channel, wherein the additional channel is continuous with the base cavity through an additional nozzle at its distal end, and wherein the additional channel and the base cavity provide an additional continuous path from the inlet to the additional nozzle.   
     
     
         18 . The dispersion device of  claim 17 , wherein the bail and the additional bail have a substantially similar shape and size. 
     
     
         19 . The dispersion device of  claim 17 , wherein the bail and the additional bail are adjustable relative to the base independently of each other. 
     
     
         20 . The dispersion device of  claim 16 , wherein the base comprises an inner surface that is configured to contact the mandrel, and wherein the inner surface comprises a contact feature that is configured to maintain contact with the mandrel when the securing mechanism is engaged.