Patent ID: 9140104
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: E02B,E21B

Abstract:
1. A split emergency containment dome for use in conjunction with an underwater oil or gas well, wherein the split emergency containment dome comprises: an upper containment portion having an enclosed region defined therein that is adapted to receive equipment used in conjunction with the underwater well and to retain therein oil or gas that escapes from the underwater well, wherein the upper containment portion is fabricated from a plurality of structural beams that form a wall having an opening formed therein, wherein the opening extends from a lower end to an upper end of the upper containment portion, wherein the upper containment portion comprises an inner dome section and an outer dome section and wherein the inner dome section is attached to the outer dome section and wherein at least a portion of the upper containment portion has a geodesic shape; a cover material that extends over at least a portion of the upper containment portion, wherein the cover material is substantially impermeable to at least one of oil and gas; a closure mechanism that is capable of selectively closing at least a portion of the opening; and at least one conduit attached to the upper containment portion for removing oil or gas from the enclosed region.