Patent ID: 8727663

Claim:
An installation for capturing and storing hydrocarbons escaping from an underwater well comprising: a plurality of tanks each including a filling opening and adapted to be arranged on a sea bottom around the underwater well; and a device for capturing and distributing hydrocarbons escaping the well, the device comprising: a bell; a positioner for positioning the bell above the well; and a connector for selectively connecting an apex of the bell to the filling opening of any one of the tanks in a fluid manner so as to transfer the fluid into that opening, the connector including a pipe provided at a free end with an output orifice adapted to be fluidly connected to the filling opening of any one of the plurality of tanks so as to transfer fluid into that opening, wherein each tank includes: an inflatable bladder with an elongated shape provided with the filling opening at one end and connecting members; and at least one cable extending over at least the largest length of the bladder and connected thereto using the connecting members, wherein the bladder includes at least two longitudinal portions extending on either side of the at least one cable, the longitudinal portions being folded on one another in a standby position of the bladder.