Abstract: A method of capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout or oil seep includes lowering a collector from a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) onto a seafloor at a location distant from subsea equipment blowing production fluid. A workstring is connected to the collector and an inert gas is injected through the workstring. The collector is landed onto the subsea equipment while maintaining the injection of inert gas. The inert gas injection is halted and a top of the workstring is routed to surface collection equipment, thereby directing the blowing production fluid from the subsea equipment, into the collector, and through the workstring to the MODU.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed here include a containment system which may include a segmented buoyant rim. Certain embodiments also include an inflatable rim with at least one inflation/deflation valve in the rim segments and ballast in the rim segments. Additionally, certain embodiments include material connected to the rim segments, to enclose a void created in the rim and to hang below the buoyant rim.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for sealing a borehole from which oil discharges uncontrolled. Thereby, a hull is filled with cement and the cement mass is lowered around a cone-shaped pipe so that the cone-shaped pipe is simultaneously fixated and also sealed.

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.

Abstract: The instant invention describes a multi-purpose rotational barrier unit and a system of interconnected barrier units which function in multiple environments, including aquatic environments and land-based environments. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit has a design configuration which provides hydro-dynamic stability in strong currents and high waves and resists roll over. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit comprises a plurality of equally sized walls interconnected to form side walls and a bottom wall. Connected to the side walls and the bottom wall are two opposing end walls which define a hollow interior portion. The opposing end walls contain one or more rotation members which are constructed and arranged to provide the barrier unit rotational movement which is independent from the movement of other barrier units directly attached to its opposing walls or units which may indirectly be attached as part of a larger barrier wall system.

Abstract: Capturing and conducting away fluids or gases escaping from a bed of water. Modules of identical design forming a hose system. Each module has a hose wall made of a flexible woven fabric. A flange is arranged at the open ends of each module surrounding the opening. Each module has stabilizing rings around the periphery, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the module at a distance (a) from each other, which is smaller than the diameter (D) of the module. A pressure equalization opening is formed in each module forming a hose section, each module has connectors for fastening buoyant/ballast bodies and the individual modules are joined, forming a hose system such that connectors for fastening buoyant/ballast bodies are located where two modules meet. At least one pressure equalization opening is located at the lower, open end of the hose system facing the bed of the body of water.

Abstract: A containment boom mooring system for efficiently anchoring containment booms over extended periods of time and in varying sea conditions. The containment boom mooring system generally includes a clamping frame having a first and second frame section pivotally connected upon a first end and having a latching assembly upon a second end for securing the frame sections in a pivotally closed position, a first and second resilient retainer extending along the inner sides of the first and second frame sections to frictionally engage a first side and a second side of a containment boom, a first and a second buoyancy member extending from the first and second frame sections, and an anchor assembly extending from the clamping frame which is adapted to extend below a water surface for mooring the clamping frame.

Abstract: The instant invention describes a multi-purpose rotational barrier unit and a system of interconnected barrier units which function in multiple environments, including aquatic environments and land-based environments. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit has a design configuration which provides hydro-dynamic stability in strong currents and high waves and resists roll over. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit comprises a plurality of equally sized walls interconnected to form side walls and a bottom wall. Connected to the side walls and the bottom wall are two opposing end walls which define a hollow interior portion. The opposing end walls contain one or more rotation members which are constructed and arranged to provide the barrier unit rotational movement which is independent from the movement of other barrier units directly attached to its opposing walls or units which may indirectly be attached as part of a larger barrier wall system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for sealing a borehole from which oil discharges uncontrolled. Thereby, a hull is filled with cement and the cement mass is lowered around a cone-shaped pipe so that the cone-shaped pipe is simultaneously fixated and also sealed.

Abstract: A wave-attenuating system. The wave-attenuating system includes a flexible, resilient barrier member that is disposed in a body of water and oriented to interrupt and dissipate the wave action of oncoming waves. The barrier member desirably is constructed from a substantially neutrally or slightly negatively buoyant material so that the overall depth, length, and/or thickness can be increased as needed for a particular application while adding little deadweight to the system in water. The barrier member can be supported by a flotation device in a floating breakwater, or alternatively, the barrier member can be secured to a stationary structure in a fixed breakwater.

Abstract: A water filtering system includes: a water intake system including a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intake system.

Abstract: A buoyant boom having: an elongate band extending across a water surface; floats rotatably mounted to the band with rotary bearings between each float and the band; and anchors securing the band at its ends or middle portion to a support, such as a river bed or a river bank structure for example.

Abstract: A water filtering system includes: a water intake system including a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intake system.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for deploying an oil spill containment boom at the side of a ship, barge, or other steel structure. Each end of the boom is connected to its own device that is configured to attach to a generally vertical surface of a steel-hulled ship. Attachment occurs through the use of magnetic force. Instead of encircling the entire ship with a boom, the device permits the establishment of specific containment areas around the ship. The device engages and disengage the side of the ship through the use of a cam and lever assembly to counter the magnetic force.

Abstract: A method for covering a lagoon, manure storage basin, waste water retention pond, water reservoir, open top material storage tank, stacks or piles of commodities, having a perimeter and a containment portion, wherein the method acquires the placement of a perforated tubular member about the perimeter, laying a resilient cover on the containment portion such that an edge of the cover is covering the tubular member and is sealed at the edge. A pumping device attached to the tabular member for extracting air through the tubular member with the pumping device which forces the cover downwardly by the use of negative air pressure.

Abstract: A new oil slick barrier device for preventing an oil slick on the surface of a body of water from spreading. The inventive device includes a pair of attachment members and a barrier member. Each attachment member is adapted for attachment to a surface. The elongate barrier member has a pair of opposite ends with one of the ends of the barrier member detachably attached to one of the attachment members and the other end of the barrier member detachable attached to the other attachment member. The barrier member is adapted for floating on the surface of a body of water to prevent oil on the surface of the body of water from passing through the barrier member.

Abstract: This invention bode is to confine potential oil spills while transfer in, between a ship and a wharf, or between two ships. It is made of a barrier that is fitted on a IS beam fixed on the wharf on which the barrier can be moved vertically with a float, according to the waterline. This barrier is mobile and detachable, of a mechanical. pneumatic or hydraulic type, and can be easily operated by one man. A waterproof canvas is placed on the mechanical barrier to confine the oil slick; a spring thrusts a shoe against the hull of the ship and is kept in place by magnets. A mechanical arm slides against the hull, with the help of balls. A hydraulic alternative stops oil diffusion by creating a current. A pneumatic alternative uses a curtain of bubbles that burst at the surface and hold the oil while creating a current.

Abstract: A marine containment boom for oil spillage body of water surrounding a cargo vessel at a dock in which the boom is selectively dropped to the sea bed by flooding the boom with an anti-freeze solution or is raised to the surface by pumping air into the boom, and further includes a pipe attached to the boom for discharging a fire retardant solution in the containment area and another and another pipe attached to the boom which functions to siphon oil spillage in the containment area to a holding tank.

Abstract: A system to contain, collect and remove hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel and/or lubricants that are spilled or leaked on to the surface of the water during fueling operations at marine fueling facilities. The system utilizes a series of absorbent devices formed as pillows and held in place on the surface of the water along the dock area of a fueling facility that absorb hydrocarbon pollutants that they come in contact with. The absorbed hydrocarbons are solidified within the pillow into a rubber-like mass. The consolidated mass is contained within the pillows, will float indefinitely and is easily retrieved and handled for disposal. Once the capacity of a pillow is reached, it will continue to act as a containment boom to keep the spill on the water's surface from spreading throughout the fueling facility area, allowing the spill to reach another pillow with the capacity to absorb and solidify the spill.

Abstract: An aqua culture facility and method using a pneumatic pump for displacement of water or other liquid located in a confined space having rigid bottom and side walls which form an interior surface of the space, with a flexible liner having the same contour as the space in which the liquid is confined. The confined space is a culture chamber and open at the top side, such as a fish pond. The flexible liner is comprised of two or more flexible membranes which are in sealing engagement at their edge portions to form a sealed compartment. There is an air inlet-outlet means through which gas or liquid can be introduced to inflate and then to exhaust the air from the sealed compartment. The flexible liner has a flexible membrane in contact with the rigid bottom and side walls of the confined space and is larger then the interior surface of the confined space. The placed flexible membrane liner is covered with water and seeded with organisms to create the culture chamber.

Abstract: An oil recovery and storage ship having a general tank configuration of a conventional crude oil carrier is modified by providing inlet doors along opposite sides of the ship and a deployable floating boom arrangement for maximizing the floating oil gathering swath. The side inlet doors open into sluice or sea-calming compartments which have adjustable weir doors opening into primary separation tanks on port and starboard sides. Adjustable weir doors open from the primary separation tanks into a secondary separation tank. A selected number of cargo tanks are interconnected by conduits which permit the flow of liquid from one tank to the next in a series or cascade manner to decant oil from oily water and to discharge substantially oil-free water overboard from the last tank in the cascade. The ship may be used as a conventional liquids carrier when not required for oil spill recovery operations.

Abstract: An oil spill containment boom deployable normally by one person between a pier and vessel especially useful for oil transfer operations from ship to shore that will remain in position on the water regardless of changes in the ship draft comprising a floating flexible barrier having an elongated unitary tensioning member disposed from end to end and held in place by strategically positioned sleeves connected over areas of the float to hold the barrier in place.

Abstract: A system carried aboard tankers which upon deployment serves to positively contain oil leaking therefrom. A boot sealingly engages the hull while a buoyant boom supports the periphery of an impermeable liner attached to the boot. A skirt extending from the boom is tethered to the deck of the vessel. The entire system is normally maintained in a compact, folded form spooled up on a storage reel which is positioned on the deck of the tanker.

Abstract: This invention teaches that when a section of a tanker is damaged, the ship being far from shore-based help, it is imperative that the liquid cargo be transferred from the ruptured tank to an undamaged tank on the ship as quickly as possible. By doing so, the contents of the damaged tank are less likely to escape in a sufficiently voluminous quantity to seriously befoul the environment. To that end, a normally-empty emergency holding tank is provided on the ship with means to provide for emergency transfer of the liquid cargo from the damaged section into the emergency holding tank. At the same time, the ruptured tank is enshrouded by a flexible barrier curtain to entrap whatever liquid cargo that may have leaked from the damaged tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for containing and collecting oil spilled under ice over water having a current by deploying a buoyant boom or barrier under the ice downstream of the oil spill and crossing the current flow, and stopping the flow of the oil with the boom or barrier. Preferably, the boom or barrier is constructed of two tubes connected by a spreader which are inflatable in situ under the ice and which form a water space above the spreader and between the tubes which subsequently freezes to anchor the boom or barrier in place.

Abstract: This invention relates to containment booms and more particularly to a device particularly adapted for attaching a containment boom to any ferromagnetic surface at the water line, the device including a base member in the form of an elongated arm having a medial portion and opposite end portions, a float at the medial portion of the arm for imparting buoyancy to the device relative to a body of water, a magnet carried by a first of the opposite end portions for magnetically attaching the device to a ferromagnetic surface, a second of the opposite end portions including a loop for connecting a line thereto for applying a force to the device to detach or disconnect the magnetic connection thereof with an associated ferrometallic surface, and first and second couplers for respectively fixedly and movably connecting a containment boom to the device.

Abstract: A barrier is attached to the side of a ship and extends outwardly therefrom. The barrier, in a transition region at the side of the ship, increases in height toward the side of the ship, thus forming a barrier sail which preferably extends from the height of the deck and down to the beginning of the bilge section at the side of the ship, the floating section of the barrier extending along the upper edge region of the barrier said and gradually decreasing in diameter toward the side of the ship, and the barrier sail being inserted into a vertical slot affixed to the side of the ship.

Abstract: A bulkhead for a swimming pool has a simple, lightweight frame, improved movability within the pool and means for suppressing the ill effects of waves produced by a swimmer nearing the bulkhead.

Abstract: A floating-type anti-oil, anti-impact and anti-wave barrier includes means for intercepting a flow of oil floating on the water and diverting the oil in directions at right angles to the original direction of flow, means for mitigating an impact force exerted by a ship or the like, and means for intercepting waves. The barrier comprises a first float formed by serially arranging at regular intervals a plurality of elongated floating boxes in their longitudinal direction, a second float formed exactly in the same manner as the first float and disposed parallel to the first float with opposed side surfaces of the floating boxes forming the first and second floats being located at staggered positions relative to each other. Floatable spacers having shock-absorbing and intercepting functions are interposed between such opposed side surfaces of the floating boxes in the first and second floats chains or ropes moor the respective floating boxes to each other.