APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ISOLATING AND SECURING AN UNDERWATER OIL WELLHEAD AND BLOWOUT PREVENTER

摘要

A containment system having a containment dome (10) and a seal plate (18) which is attached to an oil wellhead casing or riser (19) to prevent oil spills and contamination when an oil leak occurs. The containment dome (10) is sealed to the seal plate (18) by a compression mechanism so that oil will not leak from the containment dome (10). The containment dome (10) can provide a wellhead patch (60) to a wellhead system wherein the wellhead patch (60) can interface with a capping stack. Chemicals can be injected into the containment dome (10) to prevent hydrates from forming. All aspects of controlling and operating an oil wellhead can be performed through the containment dome (10) and seal plate (18), and all aspects of installation, regulation, and control of the containment dome (10) can be performed by remote operating vehicles under water.