Underwater cable deployment system and method

A method for deploying an array containing at least one cable on an ocean floor, comprising:

• disposing the at least one cable on a reel:
• placing the reel onto a pallet and lowering the pallet from a deployment vessel to the ocean floor;
• mounting the reel on a remotely operated vehicle;
• deploying the vehicle in a predetermined configuration on the ocean floor;
• paying out the cable as the vehicle is deployed across the ocean floor to form the array;
• wherein the pallet is configured to remain upon the ocean floor following deployment of the cable;
• and
• wherein the pallet is constructed with at least one removable section.

A method for deploying an array containing at least one cable on an ocean floor, comprising:

• disposing the at least one cable on a reel:
• placing the reel onto a pallet and lowering the pallet from a deployment vessel to the ocean floor;
• mounting the reel on a remotely operated vehicle;
• deploying the vehicle in a predetermined configuration on the ocean floor;
• paying out the cable as the vehicle is deployed across the ocean floor to form the array;
• and
• wherein a distribution hub is connected to each of the cables, the distribution hub being in communication with a surface facility through a communications riser.

A method for deploying a sensor array to a field of investigation upon a sea floor, the array including a plurality of sensors disposed on at least one sensor cable, the method comprising:

• wrapping the at least one cable upon a sensor reel;
• placing the sensor reels with cables mounted thereon to a pallet;
• connecting one end of the at least one cable to a subsea hub;
• lowering the pallet from a deployment vessel to the field of investigation;
• dispatching a remotely operated vehicle to the field of investigation, the vehicle including jetting and depression devices;
• the remotely operated vehicle receiving the sensor reels and paying out the sensor cable as the vehicle is piloted across the field of investigation;
• and
• burying the sensor cable with the jetting and depression devices of the remotely operated vehicle as the sensor cable is paid out.

A sensor array to be deployed on the ocean floor at a first field of investigation, the array comprising:

• a plurality of sensor cables, each of said cables including a plurality of sensors integrally mounted thereupon;
• each of said sensor cables wrapped around a corresponding sensor reel;
• one end of each of said sensor cables connected to a subsea hub;
• said sensor reels configured to be rotatably attached to a remotely operated vehicle, ROV;
• and
• said ROV configured to deploy said sensor cables from said sensor reels when piloted along a path across the ocean floor.

A sensor array to be deployed on the ocean floor at a first field of investigation, the array comprising:

• a plurality of sensor cables, each of said cables including a plurality of sensors integrally mounted thereupon;
• each of said sensor cables wrapped around a corresponding sensor reel;
• said sensor reels configured to be rotatably attached to a remotely operated vehicle, ROV;
• said ROV configured to deploy said sensor cables from said sensor reels when piloted along a path across the ocean floor;
• a pallet containing a communications hub, said pallet configured to be lowered to the ocean floor;
• and
• wherein said pallet includes a communications riser, said riser being connected to said communications hub and adapted to be extended to a surface facility.

A sensor array to be deployed on the ocean floor at a field of investigation, the array comprising:

• a plurality of sensor cables, each of said cables including a plurality of sensors integrally mounted thereupon;
• one end of the cables connected to a subsea hub;
• each of said sensor cables wrapped around a corresponding sensor reel;
• said sensor reels configured to be received by a remotely operated vehicle, ROV;
• the ROV including jetting and depression devices;
• and
• said ROV configured to simultaneously bury and deploy said sensor cables from said sensor reels when piloted along a path across said field of investigation.

A method for deploying a sensor array to a field of investigation upon a sea floor, the array including a plurality of sensors disposed on at least one sensor cable, the method comprising:

• wrapping each sensor cable upon a sensor reel;
• placing the sensor reels with cables mounted thereon onto a pallet, the pallet including a communications hub connected to a communications riser;
• lowering the pallet from a deployment vessel to the field of investigation;
• dispatching a remotely operated vehicle, ROV to the field of investigation, the ROV receiving the sensor reels and paying out the sensor cable as the ROV is piloted across the field of investigation;
• the ROV further adapted to bury the sensor cable as it is deployed from the sensor reel to the sea floor;
• and
• burying the sensor cable with the ROV while the sensor cable is deployed.