Steering of marine installations towed by a ship by means of a transmission trolley

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of marine towing operations for marine seismic survey systems and marine data collection. More specifically, this invention relates to seismic source and receiver sensor cables, towlines, floating elements, etc., having means for adjusting and maintaining the desired position of array components during aft towing. The facility includes a pulley system, which is a drive trolley (1) connected to and supporting a marine facility (3, 3'). The drive trolley (1) is configured to attach to a guide line or towing line (2, 9). The drive trolley has means for traveling along the line (2, 9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine towing operations. More specifically, it relates to marine seismic survey systems and marine data collection, wherein seismic source and receiver sensor cables, tow cables, floating elements, etc., have means for adjusting and maintaining the desired position in the array during towing behind the ship. Background Technology

[0002] In marine seismic surveying, acoustic energy is generated by seismic sources such as air guns. Pressure pulses propagate downwards to the seabed and deeper geological layers. Reflected pulses are recorded by receiver sensors attached to cables and seismic towlines. This data is then processed to explore the underlying geological structure. Multiple towlines are towed behind the ship, forming an array covering a large area, with the towline cables typically ranging from 10 to 12 kilometers in length. This area (grid) is usually much wider than the towed array, so the ship must maneuver and tow the array at intervals within the grid. Multiple towline arrays and sources rely on devices for guiding and positioning the towlines outwards at predetermined intervals between them and for correctly positioning the source array. Furthermore, the ship and the towed array are exposed to wind, waves, and currents, which can affect the position of different components of the towed array. In order to pull the towline outward from the ship and control the position of the source array components, it is known to use devices such as mesh panels, guides / steering devices, wing-shaped components / fins, rudders, etc., which are located in a fixed position or can be adjusted by various devices disclosed in the prior art.

[0003] GB 2122562 (Breugelmans, published on January 18, 1984) describes a paravane / trawler gate with a hydrofoil profile, the paravane / trawler gate having a maneuvering device for controlling bridles and angle of attack when being towed through water, the trawler gate being designed for lateral steering of seismic source / trawler array components.

[0004] EP 0018053 (Lamb, (Shell) patent dated December 7, 1983) describes the manual or automatic location of a seismic source using a floating element with remotely adjustable rudders / fins.

[0005] WO 98 / 24685 (Russel, published on June 11, 1998) describes a system with an active guide in a seismic tow cable array, wherein the guide has adjustable fins but also depends on a support vessel.

[0006] WO 2004 / 086092 (Helgerud et al., published October 7, 2004) describes a system for adjusting a guide in a seismic tow cable array by changing the constraint angle and traction point of the guide gate. Adjustment is made by hydraulic and / or motorized means. See also US 5,357,892, Vatne.

[0007] US 3,331,050 (Kilmer, July 11, 1967) describes the use of underwater wingplates with wing-like elements and / or rudders to support and control the position of a seismic source.

[0008] US 4,574,723 (Chiles et al., March 11, 1986) discloses a wing plate operating system and mechanism for controlling a wing-shaped wing plate or guide.

[0009] US 7,404,370 (Stokkeland, July 29, 2008) discloses a wing with a floating element and a steerable steering mechanism for lateral forces in seismic tow cable array components.

[0010] US 8,100,078 (Storteig et al., patent dated January 24, 2012) discloses a steerable hydrofoil for remotely controlling a tow cable and locating other marine seismic facilities.

[0011] The following disclosure discloses different systems for controlling the seismic source array independently of the tow cable array in the combined traction.

[0012] US 8,462,581 (Langeland, patent dated June 11, 2013) describes that the lateral and / or longitudinal positions of the source array components between the ship and the outward guide can both be controlled by means of a line and winch system.

[0013] US 7,415,936 (Storteig et al., patent dated August 26, 2008) discloses a seismic survey system that uses one or more winches mounted on a ship or in water to adjust source array components.

[0014] US 8,228,756 (Toennesen, July 24, 2012 patent) discloses a facility and method for remotely controlling the position of a source array element using an active guide in a seismic tow cable array element. Prior art for guides and a method for laterally guiding both the tow cable and the source array element using adjustable fins on the guide are described.

[0015] US 9,696,446 (Howlid et al., patent dated July 4, 2017) describes almost identical features to the aforementioned patent in terms of the guide and the adjustment of the wing-shaped member, rudder, and winch of the traction cable attached to the traction vessel and the source array. This publication contains a broad list of prior art.

[0016] The use of guides such as those used in fishing, fins, steers, trawl gates, and other types of guides is widespread and has been in use for decades. However, this is a limited method for precisely positioning seismic installations in water because it is entirely dependent on the towing speed. However, as shown in the prior art, fins, floats, and guides with adjustable rudders / fins have been demonstrated, which comprise a considerable number of components and are quite complex. Adjusting the source array and tow cable array separately would require numerous guides, and therefore could be a complex and expensive solution.

[0017] As shown in US 7,415,936 and US 9,696,446, using a winch in water would be complex and could be a disadvantage for maintenance.

[0018] The inventors sought to propose a simple and easy system and facility for controlling seismic survey systems and to overcome the limitations of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0019] The facilities and systems of the present invention for steering seismic source array components include a controllable pulley / running block and a system for supporting the seismic facilities, which are source array components and tow cable array components. The running block is configured to be attached to a guide line or traction line, and the running block has means for traveling along the line and rotational power.

[0020] Therefore, this invention seeks to provide a simpler alternative to the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Many of the advantages of the foregoing aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully and better understood by referring to the following detailed description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 An overview of an implementation of a pulley system for traction of a seismic source located aft of a ship is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 An overview of a second embodiment of a pulley system for traction of a seismic source located aft of a ship is shown.

[0024] Figure 3a and Figure 3bThe diagram shows the motorized transmission carriage and the transmission carriage within the pulley system.

[0025] Figure 4 A third embodiment of a pulley system for traction of a seismic source located at the rear of a ship is shown.

[0026] Figure 5 The remote control of the transmission trolley system is illustrated in the block diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0027] like Figure 1 The present invention is illustrated in the present invention, which represents a system for marine seismic survey and seismic data collection, which uses a pulley / drive carriage 1 that can move along a guide wire 2.

[0028] The seismic source (seismic gun) 3, towed aft of the vessel 4, is part of the seismic survey array. At least three of these sources are typically present on either side of the centerline 6, each of the outer sources having a steering device according to the invention. Seismic receiver sensor cables and tow cables, though not shown, are deflected and towed further aft of the source array 3 in a manner known from the prior art. The guide cable 2 is laterally deflected to deploy the tow cable array (not shown). All devices are mirror images of the centerline 6.

[0029] Figure 1 An overview of the traction is shown, in which the drive trolley 1 is movable along the guide wire 2, as indicated by arrow 12. The source 3 is connected to the drive trolley 1 via line 14. As the drive trolley 1 moves along the guide wire 2, the source 3 is laterally pulled in the water relative to the centerline 6 and the tow cable array. Possible new positions of the drive trolley and the source array 3 are indicated by dashed lines with numbers 20 to 23. Sources 3 and 3' can be individually tractioned and positioned around the centerline 6, or they can be connected as an array via line 5.

[0030] Figure 2 An overview of the second embodiment is shown, in which the drive trolley 1 is movable along the traction line 9, as indicated by arrow 19. The source 3 is connected to the traction line 9 and the umbilical cable 8. The drive trolley 1 is fixed to the conductor 2 via line 28. As the drive trolley 1 moves along the traction line 9, the source 3 is laterally pulled in the water relative to the centerline 6 and the tow cable array. Possible new positions of the traction line 9, the drive trolley, and the source array 3 are indicated by dashed lines with numbers 30 to 31.

[0031] Figure 3aA transmission trolley 1 is shown attached to conductor 2 or traction line 9. The transmission trolley 1 preferably has an electric motor 40, which is powered by a local battery 42 or by a cable 44 from the ship. Control will be performed wirelessly or via a cable from the ship. Connection to the source is via line 14 or line 28.

[0032] Figure 4 A third embodiment is shown, in which the transmission trolley 1 is movable along the guide line 2, as indicated by arrow 13, wherein positioning is formed by a line 15 running on pulley 16. The transmission trolley is fixed on line 15 at point 18, and line 15 is pulled in two directions by a motorized drum 38 on the boat 4. Positioning of the pulley system can also be along... Figure 2 The traction line 9 shown is positioned.

[0033] The third embodiment of the pulley system is in Figure 3b As further shown, the transmission trolley 1 is connected at point 18 to line 15, which is turned on pulley 16 and bidirectionally driven by drum 38 on the ship.

[0034] Figure 5 The remote control system of the present invention is shown. For example... Figures 1 to 3a The diagram illustrates an embodiment using a motorized transmission trolley 1 that moves along conductor 2 or traction line 9. A motor 40 is connected to a local control unit (relay) 41 and a sensor 43, which reads the position along the conductor or line. Power 44 is supplied directly from the ship or locally by a battery 42. The main control unit 50 of the system is located on the ship and connected to the transmission trolley 1 via cable or radio system.

[0035] Reference Figure 3b and Figure 4 This is a pulley system with a motorized drum 38. It should be understood that the pulley system will also have sensors for positioning along a conductor or line.

[0036] Therefore, through these disclosures, the present invention enables the adjustment and holding of the desired position of the source array elements during traction and operation.

[0037] The invention described herein can be modified and altered without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and further set forth in the claims. To some extent, certain functional elements may be replaced by other elements so that the various disclosed embodiments can perform the same function; such technical equivalents are included within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A facility and system for individually locating a marine seismic source array when it is towed to a ship at sea, the facility and system comprising: - A pulley system, wherein the pulley system is a controllable transmission trolley. - The facilities and systems are connected to and support the marine seismic source array. in, -The controllable transmission trolley (1) is configured to be attached to the deflection guide line (2) or the traction line (9), The controllable transmission trolley (1) has pulleys and an electric motor (40), the pulleys being configured to attach to the lines (2, 9), and the electric motor (40) providing rotational power for travel along the lines (2, 9). - The controllable transmission trolley (1) has a device for connecting to the marine seismic source array (3, 3').

2. The facility and system according to claim 1, wherein, - The controllable transmission trolley (1) has pulleys and a pulley system (16) for traveling along the lines (2, 9), the pulleys being configured to be attached to the lines (2, 9) and fixed to the lines (15), and the pulley system (16) being connected to a motorized drum (38) on the ship (4).

3. The facility and system according to claim 1, wherein, -The controllable transmission trolley (1), when configured to be attached to the deflection guide line (2), is connected via line (14) to the seismic source and / or other seismic facilities. - The controllable transmission trolley (1) is connected to the deflection guide line (2) via line (28) when configured to be attached to the traction line (9) for use with earthquake sources and / or other seismic facilities.

4. The facility and system according to claim 3, wherein, The line is adjustable in length.

5. The facility and system according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable transmission trolley (1) is remotely controlled from the vessel (4) via a wireless or wired connection system (50), and the controllable transmission trolley has: a device (42) for local power supply, or power (44) provided by a cable from the vessel, for operating an electric motor (40); and a sensor (43) for reading the positioning along the deflection guide line (2) or traction line (9).

6. The facility and system according to claim 2, wherein, The controllable transmission trolley (1) is remotely controlled from the ship (4) by means of pulleys and a motorized drum (38) mounted on the ship (4), and a sensor (43) is located on the controllable transmission trolley for reading the positioning along the deflection guide line (2) or the traction line (9).

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