Electric Seismic Sources for Extended Marine Survey Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional marine seismic surveying using air guns is limited by umbilical pressure losses and drag, restricting the practical length and lateral offset of seismic source deployment, necessitating the exploration of alternative electrically powered seismic sources.

Innovation Solution

A marine seismic survey system employing electrically powered seismic sources, such as electro-mechanical vibrators and sources using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive materials, distributed at spaced apart locations, with a power modulator converting direct current power to modulated current power to reduce power losses and enhance survey efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If air guns are deployed through umbilicals to generate seismic energy, then seismic surveying can be performed, but the practical length is limited to about 300 meters due to pressure losses in the umbilicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment lengthVSAvoidpressure losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic system (air guns powered by compressed air through umbilicals) with an electrically powered system. Electric vibrators or electromagnetic sources are towed behind the vessel and powered electrically, eliminating the need for long umbilicals and associated pressure losses. This substitution enables deployment lengths significantly greater than 300 meters while maintaining source performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the air gun from its traditional umbilical-based pneumatic power system and repositions it as an electrically powered device. By removing the umbilical connection requirement, the system gains freedom in deployment length and lateral offset, directly resolving the pressure loss limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If large diameter umbilicals (60-70 mm) are used to convey sufficient air to the guns, then adequate power is delivered, but the lateral offset is limited due to drag on the umbilicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidlateral offset

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical pneumatic power transmission system with an electrical power transmission system. Electrical cables have much lower drag than 60-70 mm diameter pneumatic umbilicals, enabling significantly larger lateral offsets while delivering sufficient power to the seismic sources. This resolution simultaneously achieves both adequate power delivery and extended lateral offset capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vessels are used for conventional surveys to achieve wide-azimuth coverage, then complete target illumination is achieved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveazimuth coverageVSAvoidnumber of vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the seismic source array into multiple electrically powered sources distributed along a long cable towed by a single vessel. This segmented source distribution, combined with the ability to tow the cable at large lateral offsets, enables wide-azimuth survey coverage that would traditionally require multiple vessels, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining complete target illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables longer and more uniform seismic source deployment, facilitating multi-azimuth surveys with improved target illumination and reduced operational complexity, eliminating the need for multiple vessels typically required for conventional surveys.

Implementation Method 1

with a power modulator converting direct current power to modulated current power to reduce power losses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical power modulation:

Implementation Method 2

electro-mechanical vibrators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-mechanical conversion:

Implementation Method 3

sources using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

sources using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Data Source

PatentEP2775323B1System and method for seismic surveying using distributed sources

Publication Date: 2019.07.24 PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS

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AI summary

Disclosed are methods and systems for marine surveying that use electrically powered seismic sources that are distributed at spaced apart locations. In one example, a marine seismic survey system (2) comprises: a survey vessel (4); a plurality of seismic sources (10) configured to be towed by the survey vessel (4), wherein the seismic sources are electrically powered and are distributed behind the survey vessel at spaced apart locations with a spacing of about 50 meters or more; and a plurality of sensor streamers (12) configured to be towed.