Apparatus and methods related to pipeline freespan support are described. For example, some embodiments may contain an upper structure, which contains at least four legs connected to one another by a number of bracing members, and a number of attachment points through which the upper structure can be lifted, and a lower structure, which contains at least four posts that can be connected to, and disconnected from as needed, the four legs of the upper structure, two spaced mud mats on which the posts stand, and at least two horizontal arms that can be attached to the posts, rotate about the posts, connect to and be locked with the posts on the other mud mat, and be lifted to an appropriate height to provide suitable support at the pipeline freespan location.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.

An Above Bottom Fiber (ABF) cable includes an elongated fiber cable having microspheres adhered to the ABF by an adhesive lightly coated to the outer surface of the ABF. The elongated fiber cable is negatively buoyant while the microspheres and adhesives are positively buoyant, resulting in the ABF cable being controllably buoyant in a fluid environment. Anchor lines with optional anchor weights are attached to the fiber cable periodically to prevent the fiber cable from drifting. The microspheres detach slowly from the fiber cable resulting in the ABF cable sinking. All components of the ABF cable are biodegradable.

An Above Bottom Fiber (ABF) cable includes an elongated fiber cable having microspheres adhered to the ABF by an adhesive lightly coated to the outer surface of the ABF. The elongated fiber cable is negatively buoyant while the microspheres and adhesives are positively buoyant, resulting in the ABF cable being controllably buoyant in a fluid environment. Anchor lines with optional anchor weights are attached to the fiber cable periodically to prevent the fiber cable from drifting. The microspheres detach slowly from the fiber cable resulting in the ABF cable sinking. All components of the ABF cable are biodegradable.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.

A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

Containerized handling, deployment, and retrieval systems for deploying and retrieving a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes from the back deck of a marine vessel are presented. The handling system may comprise a deployment system and a node storage and service system fully contained within a plurality of CSC approved ISO containers. Each of the components of the handling system may be located in a CSC approved ISO container for storage, operation, and transport. In one embodiment, the node deployment system is configured to retrieve and deploy autonomous seismic nodes from the back deck of a vessel. In one embodiment, the node storage and service system is configured to transfer nodes to and from the node deployment system for storage and servicing.