MIFIS CONCEPT: A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATION FOR BLOW-OUT RECOVERY

In the present work, a method for the prompt and remediation of offshore Blowouts and seabed hydrates’ intervention is presented. The method is a modified version of DIFIS System, an EU FP6 proposed solution for the oil recovery from tankers wreck. It relies on gravity to channel the blow-out mixture towards the surface. Two (2) components are used for the oil/water/gas separation (PG-BBS) and oil/water storage (BB). These components are placed a 300 m and 30 meters below the sea surface respectively, unaffected by the weather conditions. This is achieved by a quickly deployable flexible structure (MIFIS) that should stay in place until the well is emptied or appropriate sealed in order to eliminate the pollution threat. The PG-BBS and BB reservoirs are provided with standard equipment through which shuttle vessels can recover the oil and gas rapidly, using standard offshore/subsea equipment. As an innovative system, the principal investigation (operational environment, system components’ description, structural requirements/specifications, design guidelines) was carried out. The parameters were used for the Technical Feasibility study where the concept was evaluated. The final results can be used for the implementation of new innovative research projects and solutions in Offshore/Subsea industry.