Patent ID: 8016030

Claim:
An apparatus for containing oil from a deep water oil well, the apparatus comprising: an anchor section for anchoring the apparatus to a sea-floor, the anchor section comprising a base portion for positioning in the sea-floor and an anchor wall extending upward from the base portion, the anchor wall comprising a body with a top end; a first gasket section mounted on the top end of the body of the anchor wall of the anchor section; a first riser section comprising a first riser wall, a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve, the first riser wall having a body and a top end, the first inlet valve opposite the first outlet valve, the first riser section connected to the first gasket section; a second gasket section mounted on the top end of the first riser wall; a second riser section comprising a second riser wall, a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve, the second riser wall having a body and a top end, the second inlet valve opposite the second outlet valve, the second riser section connected to the second gasket section; a third gasket section mounted on the top end of the second riser wall; a third riser section comprising a third riser wall, a third inlet valve and a third outlet valve, the third riser wall having a body and a top end, the third inlet valve opposite the third outlet valve, the third riser section connected to the third gasket section; an upper section having a base portion and an enclosure portion, the base portion mounted on the top end of the third riser wall of the third riser section, the enclosure portion having an aperture; and a flow tube in flow communication with an interior of the apparatus through the aperture of the enclosure portion of the upper section; wherein a pressure within the apparatus is equal to a pressure outside of the apparatus, and wherein oil is suctioned from the interior of the apparatus through the flow tube.