Patent ID: 8534363

Claim:
A method for restoring control and resuming production at an offshore oil well following an uncontrolled fluid release after an explosion, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a riser extending from a sea surface, said riser ending above and in vertical alignment with an oil well head of the oil well, b. inserting a first flow restricting insert through the riser and into the oil well head, said first flow restricting insert sized to be smaller than the opening of the oil well head, thereby reducing the uncontrolled fluid release therefrom, c. inserting at least one additional flow restricting insert through the riser and into the oil well, thereby further reducing the uncontrolled fluid release from the oil well to a level suitable for attaching the riser to the oil well, and d. sealingly attaching the riser to the oil well head to direct all fluid release to flow through the riser to the sea surface, whereby restoring control of the oil well and resuming oil production therefrom through the riser.