Pipeline freespan support

A method for providing support at a pipe e freespan location, comprising:

• placing a lower structure on a platform, said lower structure further comprising at least four posts, two spaced mud mats on which the posts stand, and at least two horizontal arms that are rotatably and slidably attached to two posts so the two horizontal arms can rotate about the two posts, connect to and be locked with two other posts on the other mud mat, and be lifted to an appropriate height to provide suitable support at the pipeline freespan location;
• mounting an tipper structure on top of the lower structure at an appropriate height, said upper structure further comprising at least four legs connected to one another by a plurality of bracing members, and a plurality of attachment points through which the upper structure can be lifted;
• connecting the upper structure and lower structure to form an integrated structure;
• lifting the integrated structure and lowering it over the pipeline at the freespan position, with the horizontal arms in open position, allowing the pipeline to pass through an opening between the two mud mats, and landing the integrated structure on an underwater floor;
• rotating the horizontal arms into the locking position;
• disconnecting the upper structure from the lower structure, retrieving the upper structure to surface, and leaving the lower structure on the underwater floor;
• and
• lifting the horizontal arms until both arms are in contact with the pipeline and providing suitable support, and fixing the horizontal arms in the supporting position.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first structure, comprising:
• first and second mud mats;
• a first post extending from the first mud mat;
• a first sheath fitted around the first post, the first sheath being rotatable about the first post and translatable along the first post;
• a horizontal arm coupled to the first sleeve so the horizontal arm is rotatable about the first post and translatable along the first post;
• a second post extending from the second mud mat;
• and
• a second sheath fitted around the second post, the second sleeve comprising teeth that receives a distal end of the horizontal arm, the second sheath being translatable along the second post.