Patent Publication Number: US-9835013-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for subsea strapping band attachment

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to subsea attachment of cables, umbilicals, tubes, and/or flow lines to rigid and/or fixed structures. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus and method by which rigid and semi-rigid subsea umbilicals and flow lines can be externally attached by remotely operated vehicles (“ROV”) to fixed subsea structures to ensure said subsea umbilicals and flow lines are kept in a fixed location, orientation, placement, or alignment during the umbilical or flow line operational lifetime. 
     Background Art 
     Umbilicals and flow lines are used, for example, to transfer hydraulic, optical or electrical power, communication data, or provide chemical transfer pathways between subsea-to-subsea or topside-to-subsea components in the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry. On a given offshore structure, i.e., production platform, the number of umbilicals and flow lines can increase to the point that the number of flow lines and umbilicals impact the efficiency and productivity of a given operating production platform. 
     As the complexity of the network of subsea control lines and hydrocarbon flow lines increase, properly routing and affixing the associated umbilicals and flow lines to a fixed or rigid structure, i.e., a chain, riser, leg of a rig, or pipe may be advantageous. Improperly clamping or otherwise fixating interconnecting flow lines and umbilicals allows said flow lines and umbilicals to move freely and can lead to increased risk of damage, leakage, or operating costs incurred when repairs to a damaged umbilical or flow line are implemented. Flow lines and umbilicals are increasingly placed in deep water, e.g., several miles-deep, locations. Human divers are restricted to only several hundred feet of depth, given current technology, and are unable to secure flow lines and umbilicals in deep water. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system for installing a band around a rigid subsea structure includes a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a main body, a set of jaws extendable beyond an outer perimeter of the main body on the ROV. The system also includes a band distribution system operatively and a band installation mechanism operatively coupled to the ROV. 
     In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of installing a band around a subsea structure and at least one flow line including securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure with a set of jaws coupled to the ROV. A buckle may be placed in a loading area between the ROV and the subsea structure. A band may then be fed through a first latch of the buckle and around the subsea structure with a band installation mechanism. The band may engage with a second latch of the buckle. Once engaged, the band may be tightened around the subsea structure and flow line and the band may be cut. 
     In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein may relate to a method including installing a first band around a rigid subsea structure and flow line with an ROV, wherein the installing is controlled by an operator at the surface. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows perspective view of a portion of an ROV in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a skid in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a conventional band unit in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective detailed view of a skid in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective detailed view of a skid in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows a detailed view of the arms of the band installation system. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective detailed view of the loading area of the band installation system in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective detailed view of the loading area of the band installation system in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus and method for securing flow lines and umbilicals to rigid and/or fixed structures (e.g., risers, pipes, rig leg, platform, chains) in deep water. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a subsea banding system to secure a flow line or umbilical to a rigid structure. The subsea banding system may include at least a set of jaws, a band distribution system, and a band installation mechanism. As used herein, the term “band installation” or “band installation operations” is used to refer to the process of securing a flow line or umbilical to a rigid structure. Band installation operations include aligning the ROV and set of jaws with the rigid structure, closing the set of jaws around the rigid structure, providing a band and buckle to a loading area between the rigid structure and band distribution system, guiding the band around the rigid structure, tightening the band, and cutting the secured band. 
     Banding installation operations in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein provide a method to secure flow lines in deep water to a rigid structure. As used herein, the term “deep water” will refer generally to a depth of about several hundred feet to several miles. Additionally, the term “flow line” will refer to any loose (i.e., free or not attached to a fixed or rigid structure) control line, cable, rope, umbilical, and/or flow line. The use of the terms deep water and flow line is not intended to limit the scope of the application. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a ROV  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The ROV  100  includes at least a main body  101  and a skid  200 . A banding system  201  may be positioned on the skid  200  coupled to the ROV  100 . However, one skilled in the art will understand that the banding system  201  may be located on the main body  101  of the ROV  100  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The main body  101  includes at least one manipulator arm  113  coupled thereto, a control center  117 , a plurality of sensors (not separately shown), and an onboard camera system  115 . The control center may be operatively coupled to, for example, at least one manipulator arm  113 , the onboard camera system  115 , and/or the plurality of sensors. The control center  117  may send instructions to and/or receive feedback from any component coupled to the control center, e.g., the at least one manipulator arm  113 , the onboard camera system  115 , the plurality of sensors, and the banding system  201 . The control center  117  may be, for example, a microprocessor. The control center  117  may communicate (send and receive signals, data, etc.) with the surface in real time with, for example, wireline, wireless, optical, and acoustic communication devices known in the art. This communication allows users at the surface to monitor the ROV while the ROV is deployed underwater. The main body  101  may also include a plurality of power taps (e.g., electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic) for providing a power source to onboard tools (e.g., control center  117 , onboard camera system  115 , manipulator arms  113 , banding system  201 , etc.) 
     The onboard camera system  115 , or at least one camera of the onboard camera system  115 , may be positioned to provide a view of the components of the banding system  201 . This allows the user to visually monitor the progress of the band installation process and verify proper installation of the banding unit. One skilled in the art will understand that the relative position of the onboard camera system  115 , the control center  117 , and the banding system  201  is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The plurality of sensors may be located throughout the main body  101  of the ROV  100 . The sensors may be provided to monitor, for example, speed, depth, pressure, and temperature of the ROV  100  and the surroundings while underwater. Examples of sensors that may be used include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, position sensors, depth, torque, etc. Sensors may also be provided to the main body  101  of the ROV to detect the proximity of underwater structures. Sensors may also be provided to various components located on the ROV, for example, at least the manipulator arm  113  and banding system  201 . The measurements taken by the sensors may be transmitted to and from the control center and monitored from the surface. Monitoring the ROV with sensors allows a user to communicate with the ROV  100  in the event that a reading from the sensors indicates that a value of the sensed or monitored parameter is beyond an acceptable range (for example, if the depth is greater than desired, if the pressure exceeds a known limit, etc.). 
     The banding system  201  may be located on a skid  200  coupled to the main body  101  of the ROV  100 . The skid includes at least a frame  203  coupled to a bottom face of the ROV  100 . The frame  203  may be coupled to a bottom face of the ROV  100  with a mount  205 . The mount  205  may be any mounting means known in the art. For example, the mount  205  may include a plurality of pins or bolts  207  arranged to mate with corresponding recesses on a bottom face of the ROV  100 . One skilled in the art will understand that the type of mount  205  and/or pin  207  configuration is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The skid  200  may also include bumpers  209  disposed on one or more outer surfaces to protect, for example, a front face of the skid  200  in the event the ROV  100  collides with an object during operation. The bumpers  209  may be mounted to the frame  203  the skid with, for example, screws, bolts, rivets or mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and other mounting means known in the arts. The bumpers may be formed from elastomeric materials, e.g., ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, nylon, DELRIN (an acetal resin), etc. 
     In some embodiments, the skid  200  may house the banding system  201 . The banding system  201  aligns the ROV  100  with the rigid structure  301  (for example, a pipe is shown in  FIG. 2 ) and installs a band unit ( 300  in  FIG. 3 ) around the rigid structure  301  to secure flow lines ( 401 ) to the rigid structure  301 . In embodiments in accordance with this disclosure, an existing ROV may be retrofitted with the banding system  201 . For example, skid  200  as described herein may be mounted to a bottom face of the ROV  100 . One skilled in the art will understand that the type of ROV  100  used with the banding system  201  is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The banding system  201  shown includes at least a jaw  231 , a band distribution system  211 , and a band installation mechanism  241 . 
     The jaw  231  includes a set of arms  233  pivotally mounted to the skid  200 . In some embodiments, the set of arms  233  may be pivotally mounted to an extension member. As used herein, the term “extension member” may refer to the band installation mechanism  241  or a separate component dedicated to extending/retracting the jaw  231 . In some embodiments, the set of arms  233  may be coupled to a front end of the band installation mechanism  241 . The arms  233  may have a substantially arcuate geometry. One skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the arms  233  are not limited to a single geometry, for example, the arms  233  may have an elliptical, semi-circular, angled shape, and that each arm  233  may not have the same shape. In some embodiments, the geometry of the arms  233  may correspond to the geometry of rigid structure  301  to which the banding system  201  attaches the flow line  401 . 
     The arms  233  are actuated between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Referring additionally to  FIG. 6 , the arms  233  of the jaw  231  may include a channel  235  located on an inner surface thereof running along a length of each arm  233 . The channel  235  may facilitate movement of a band ( 303  in  FIG. 3 ) around the subsea structure. A plurality of retention members  237  may be positioned across the channel  235 . In some embodiments, the retention members  237  may be, for example, a plurality of spring loaded pins spaced around an inner surface of arms  233 , each member positioned in a corresponding groove or cavity formed in the inner surface of arms  233 . In other embodiments, for example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the retention members  237  may be a flexible rubber strip or wiper located at a top and bottom of the inner surface of arms  233 . Arrow  601  indicates the direction of movement of band  303  radially inward toward the subsea structure  301 . The retention members  237  may help keep the band ( 303  in  FIG. 3 ) in the channel  235  during movement and allow the band ( 303  in  FIG. 3 ) to exit the channel  235  and tighten around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401 . 
     The set of arms  233  may be extendable and retractable with respect to the skid  200  and an outer perimeter of the ROV  100  and/or skid  200 . For example, while the ROV  100  is moving underwater the jaw  231  may be in a retracted position such that the jaw  231  is located within an outer perimeter of the ROV  100 . Once the ROV  100  approaches the rigid structure  301  to begin banding installation operations, the jaw  231  may be extended by, for example, a piston cylinder, gear drive, mechanical linkage, electric motor, and/or hydraulic motor. The extension member (not shown) and/or band installation mechanism  241  may retract and/or extend by pivoting about a point, e.g., the extension member may pivot about an end connected to the ROV  100 , or by translating, i.e., sliding longitudinally, within the ROV  100 , e.g., the extension member may be positioned in a track for relative movement with respect to the ROV  100 . As used herein, the terms “longitudinal” refers to the long axis running from a front end  202  to a rear end  204  of the skid  200  and/or ROV  100 . 
     One skilled in the art will understand a variety of actuating means may be used to close the arms  233  around the fixed structure  301  and flow line  401 . A user at the surface may send instructions to a control center to actuate the jaw  231  to close the arms  233 . In some embodiments, the user may communicate directly with the jaw  231 . The arms  233  may be actuated, i.e., opened and closed, by for example, springs, a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, a solenoid, or any suitable actuating means known in the art. The arms  233 , may be electrically, mechanically hydraulically, and/or pneumatically actuated. A signal may be sent from the control center to the actuating means to actuate (move the arms  233  to a closed position) or deactuate (move the arms  233  to an opened position) the actuating means. 
     In some embodiments, a sensor may be positioned on the arms  233  to detect the rigid structure  301 , and/or determine if the ROV  100  is positioned for banding operations. For example, a touch sensor may be located on an inner surface of the arms  233 . Once the extension member moves the attachment member  125  into contact with the rigid structure  301 , the touch sensor signals the control center and the control center actuates the arms  233  to move the arms  233  into the closed position, i.e., to close the arms  233  around the rigid structure  301  to secure the ROV  100  in place relative to the rigid structure  301 . In another embodiment, the arms  233  may be spring actuated, for example, contacting the attachment member  125  against the rigid structure  301  may cause actuating members  127  to close the arms  233 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the band distribution system  220  supplies components of a band unit ( 300  in  FIG. 3 ) to a loading area  206  located between the banding system  201 , e.g., jaw  231 , and the rigid structure  301 . A band unit  300  includes a buckle  302  and a band  303 . The band  303  may include a plurality of teeth  304  located on at least one side of the band  303 . The buckle  302  may include a first latch  305  and a second latch  307 . The first latch  305  and the second latch  307  include a first band slot  306  and second band slot  308 , respectively. The band unit  300  may be, for example, a Smart® Band Hybrid from HCL Clamping Solutions (Houston, Tex.) adapted for use on an ROV. For example, the buckle  302  may be modified to interact with a guide member  215  ( FIG. 4 ) and be held in the loading area  206 ; the first and second latch  305  and  307  may be modified to enable opening and closing the latches more easily; and the first and second latches  305  and  307  may be modified to allow the band  303  to more easily enter the first and second band slots  306  and  308 , respectively. 
     The band distribution system  220  includes at least a buckle magazine  211  and a drum  221 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , having a length of band  303  loaded thereon. The band distribution system  200  allows a buckle unit  300  in  FIG. 3  to be assembled and installed by an ROV  100  at a banding site underwater. One skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, the band distribution system  220  may provide a pre-assembled band unit  300  such that each band unit  300  has at least one end of a band  303  engaged with the first latch  305  of the buckle  302  prior to being loaded into the banding system  201 . 
     The buckle magazine  211  may be located proximate a front end  202  of the skid  200 . The buckle magazine  211  houses a plurality of buckles  302 . The plurality of buckles may be loaded within the buckle magazine  211  so as to be individually dispensed to the loading area  206 . According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the buckle magazine  211  includes a plurality of buckles  302  arranged in a spring loaded column such that a bottom face of a first buckle is adjacent a top face of a second buckle. A spring  213 , e.g., a coil spring, is provided to a back end of the buckle magazine  211  to urge the column of buckles toward a front of the buckle magazine  211 . The buckle magazine  211  includes an opening  212  on a top and bottom face of the buckle magazine. The opening  212  allows guide member  215  to urge the buckle  302  out from the buckle magazine  211  and into the loading area  206 . 
     The buckle magazine  211  may include one or multiple columns of buckles and may be located above or below loading area  206 . The buckle magazine  211  may move along a width of the skid  200  so as to position the buckle  302  to be dispensed over the loading area. 
     According to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 , a single column of buckles  302  may be included in the buckle magazine located over the loading area  206  and/or movable along the width of the skid  200 . The buckle magazine  211  may be located below the loading area  206  such that the guide member  215  urges the buckle  302  in an upward direction. Guide member  215  may include at least two stabilizing pin members  234  located on a first end and second end of the guide member  215  and protruding in an upward direction. The stabilizing pin members are provided to engage the buckle  302  and hold the buckle  302  in the loading area  206  during banding operations. At least one latching pin member  232  may be positioned on a second end of the guide member  215  so as to hold the second latch  207  in an open position during banding operations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the buckles  302  are driven by a coil  236 . The coil  236  may run a length of the buckle magazine  211 , such that a top portion of each coil is positioned between two adjacent buckles. When the coil is rotated by a motor, the buckles  302  will advance in a forward fashion similar to a vending machine. One skilled in the art will understand that the mechanism used to dispense the buckles is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the buckles  302  may be provided to the loading area  206  by a coil spring  213 , a coil drive  236 , or have a rotary indexer (not shown) to dispense the buckle  302 . 
     The drum  221  of the band distribution system  220  supplies band  303  to the buckle  302  once the buckle  302  is located in the loading area  206 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the drum  221  contains a length of band  303  wound thereon. The drum may hold about 400-1000 ft of band  303 . The length of the band  303  may be selected so that there is a sufficient amount of band units to correspond to the number of buckles in the magazine. In some embodiments, the width of the band  303  may vary along the length of the band  303 . One skilled in the art will understand that different sized drums may hold a different length of band  303 . The length of band  303  contained on the drum  221  is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. A loose end of the band  303  may be engaged with the band installation mechanism  241 . At least one spindle (not individually shown) may be included between the drum  221  and the band installation mechanism  241 . The band  303  located between the drum  221  and the band installation mechanism  241  may wrap around the spindle so as to moderate the tension on the band  302 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the band installation mechanism  241  may be positioned longitudinally between the drum  221  and the arms  233 . The band installation mechanism  241  is provided to feed a loose end of the band  303  to a buckle  302  located in the loading area  206 , feed the band  303  around the rigid structure  301  and flow line  401 , tighten the band  303 , and cut the band  303 . A loose end of the band  303  may be manually positioned to engage with the band installation mechanism  241  at the surface prior to deploying the ROV  100  in water. The band installation mechanism  241  is configured to move longitudinally within the skid, for example, a cylinder  247  may position the band installation mechanism  241  in a retracted position or an extended position, shown in  FIG. 5 , as well as actuate a cutting blade and/or the gear for feeding the band  303 . In embodiments where the jaw  231  is connected to the band installation mechanism  241 , longitudinal movement of the band installation mechanism  241  causes the jaw  231  to extend and retract. 
     The band installation mechanism  241  may be a drive box adapted from a Smart® Installation Tool from HCL Clamping Solutions (Houston, Tex.) for use on an ROV. Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the band installation mechanism  241  includes at least a band entry slot  243 , a band exit slot  245 , and a cutting blade  249 . The band entry slot  243  and band exit slot  245  are configured to receive a loose end of the band  303 . The cutting blade is configured to cut band  303  once the band unit  300  is installed on the rigid structure  301 . The cutting blade may cut the band  303  in any number of shapes, e.g., square cut, rounded cut, angled cut, etc. 
     The band installation mechanism  241  may pull the band  303  from the drum  221  for use in banding installation operations. The band installation mechanism  241  may drive the band  303  forward, i.e., push the band  303 , through the band entry slot  243  and band exit slot  245  away from the drum  221 , as well as drive the band  303  backward, i.e., pull the band toward the drum  221 . The band installation mechanism  241  may be hydraulically, electrically, and/or pneumatically actuated. Once actuated, the band installation mechanism  241  drives the band  303  by using teeth  304  to ratchet and move the band  303  through the band entry slot  243  and band exit slot  245 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , during subsea banding installation operations, the ROV  100  may detect and approach a rigid subsea structure  301 . A user may control the path of the ROV from the surface by monitoring the movement of the ROV with the onboard camera system  115 . When the ROV  100  is near the subsea structure  301  (i.e., in range of the jaw  231  and arms  233 ) the jaw  231  may be extended and the arms  233  opened around the subsea structure  301 . In embodiments where the jaw  231  is coupled to the band installation mechanism  241 , the band installation mechanism may move longitudinally toward a front end  202  of the skid  200  to extend the jaw  231 . Once the arms  233  are positioned around the rigid subsea structure  301  and flow line  401 , the jaw  231  may close the arms  233  around the subsea structure, thereby securing the ROV  100  to the subsea structure  301 . For example, a sensor may detect that the arms  233  are positioned around the rigid structure  301  and automatically close the arms  233  around the rigid structure  301  and flow line  401 . In other embodiments, a user may monitor the position of the ROV  100  with the onboard camera system  115  and determine when to close the arms  233  around the rigid structure  301 . 
     Once the ROV  100  is secured to the rigid structure  301 , the buckle magazine  211  may dispense a buckle  302  to the loading area  206 . The buckles may be indexed by, for example, a coil spring ( 213  in  FIG. 4 ), a coil drive ( 236  in  FIG. 8 ), or a rotary indexer (not shown). Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , with a buckle  302  indexed for loading, guide member  215  may axially urge buckle  302  into the loading area  206 . The guide member  215  may hold the buckle  302  in the loading area  206  and pin  232  of the guide member  215  may hold the second latch  207  of the buckle  302  in an open position. 
     The band installation mechanism  241  may then feed the band  303  into the first band slot  306  of the first latch  305  of the buckle  302  and around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401 . In particular, the band installation mechanism  241  may drive the band  303  in a forward direction thereby pushing the band  303  through the first latch  205 . A loose end of the band  303  will be guided into a channel  235  located along an inner surface of the arms  233  of the jaw  231 . As the band installation mechanism  241  continues to drive the band  303  in a forward direction, the loose end of the band  303  will travel along the channel  303  and around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401  until the loose end of the band  303  enters and engages the second slot  308  of the second latch  307  so that the length of band  303  positioned around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401  has passed through the first band slot  306 . In embodiments having a retention members  237  along the arms  233 , the retention members may prevent the band  303  from slipping out of the channel  235  during travel. 
     Once the band  303  engages the second latch  307 , i.e., the band  303  enters the second slot  308  and at least one tooth  304  of the band  303  engages the latch, the guide member  215  may move axially away from the loading area  206  so as to close the second latch  207 . A position sensor may be used to determine when an end of the band  303  is engaged in the correct position with the second latch  307 . In some embodiments, a user monitoring the video feed from the onboard camera system may visually determine if the end of the band  303  is engaged in the correct position with the second latch  307 . In some embodiments, when the guide member  215  returns to an initial position (shown in  FIG. 8 ) a signal may be sent to a motor (not shown) coupled to the coil  236  to rotate the coil  236  for indexing the buckles. 
     Once the second latch  207  is closed, the drive direction of the band installation mechanism  241  may then be reversed. Driving the band installation mechanism  241  in a reverse direction pulls the band  303  toward the drum  221  and allows the band  303  to tighten around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401 . As the band  303  tightens, the band  303  may push the retention members  237  outward, for example, the retention members  237  may pivot about the connection point to the arms  233 , thereby allowing the band  303  to exit the channel  235  and the buckle  302  to exit the loading area  206  and have the banding unit  300  positioned flush against the rigid structure  301 . In other embodiments, the band  303  may elastically deform the retention members to exit the channel  235 . 
     Once the band unit  300  is tightened around the subsea structure  301  and flow line  401 , the control center and/or user may send instructions to the band installation mechanism  241  to cut the band  303 . The cutting blade  249  of the band installation mechanism  241  may then be actuated to cut the band  303 . Once cut, a new loose end of the band  303  from drum  221  will be engaged with the band installation mechanism  241 . In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to monitor the tension prior to the actuation of the cutting blade  249  of the band installation once a desired tension is reached. 
     According to some embodiments, a visual of the band installation operations is transmitted to the surface with the onboard camera system  115 . The visual may provide a user or operator at the surface with a means to control and monitor the installation process and verify proper installation of the banding unit. Further, with the onboard camera system  115 , a user or operator may determine the timing of the band installation operations or when to proceed to the next step, i.e., instruct the control center to provide instructions to the banding system  201 . One skilled in the art may also understand that the control center may be configured to automatically determine when to execute a particular step in the installation operations. According to such an embodiment, a user or operator may be able to override automated control center instructions if desired, e.g., if an error is detected via the sensors and/or onboard camera system. 
     An ROV  100  having a banding system  201  may install multiple band units on a particular subsea structure and/or install at least one band unit  300  on multiple subsea structures. The ROV  100  may install a band at any depth from the surface to about 5000 ft. In other embodiments the ROV may install a band at any depth from the surface to about 3 to 5 miles. In embodiments where multiple band units are installed on a particular subsea structure, the ROV  100  may install a first band at a first depth, descend along the subsea structure and install a second band unit at a second depth. 
     Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus and method of installing a subsea band unit around existing rigid subsea structures. This enables flow lines to be attached or positioned on existing subsea structures. This may prevent flow lines from tangling or being damaged due to unrestrained movement. Furthermore, band installation operations in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein will reduce waste of bands. For example, when a first band unit is installed and cut from the length band located on the drum, the newly cut end of the band will be secured in a second latch of a second subsequently installed band unit. 
     Although the preceding description has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, it extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.