Independent Seismic Source for Real-Time Marine Survey Infill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys face challenges in acquiring complete and high-quality seismic data due to factors like ocean currents, equipment malfunctions, and environmental conditions, leading to gaps and delays in infill data acquisition, which increases costs and survey duration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an independent seismic source towed alongside the acquisition vessel to acquire infill seismic data in real-time, using the same streamers and analyzing primary data for coverage gaps, allowing simultaneous primary and infill data collection, reducing the need for reacquiring sail lines and minimizing survey duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional marine seismic surveys are conducted with primary data acquisition only, then the acquisition vessel can complete many sail lines efficiently, but gaps and holes in data coverage occur due to ocean currents, vessel deviation, and equipment malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by deploying an independent seismic source vessel that proactively identifies and acquires infill data during the primary survey operation. Rather than waiting to detect coverage gaps after the survey is complete, the system continuously monitors primary survey data and immediately deploys the independent source to fill gaps in real-time, preventing incomplete coverage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent seismic source vessel acts as an intermediary between the primary survey operation and the required infill data acquisition. It receives guidance from coverage analysis of primary data and independently executes infill operations, mediating between the main acquisition vessel's path and the need for complete subsurface coverage without disrupting the primary survey workflow.
2Reliability
If infill seismic data is acquired after the primary survey is complete, then coverage gaps can be identified and addressed, but the acquisition vessel has already left the area and reacquiring sail lines is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by having the independent seismic source vessel operate concurrently with the primary survey acquisition. While the acquisition vessel is still traversing sail lines and collecting primary data, the independent source simultaneously acquires infill data in areas identified as having coverage gaps, ensuring continuous and overlapping data collection without interruption or repeated voyages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of coverage gaps during the primary survey using real-time or near-real-time analysis of acquired data. The independent seismic source is then deployed to these identified gaps while the acquisition vessel is still in the area, performing the infill action preliminarily before the vessel departs, thus eliminating the need for costly return trips.
3Reliability
If the acquisition vessel returns to reacquire infill sail lines after leaving the area, then complete data coverage can be achieved, but costs and survey duration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the primary survey acquisition function from the infill data acquisition function. The acquisition vessel focuses exclusively on efficient primary survey operations along pre-planned sail lines, while the independent seismic source vessel handles infill operations in coverage gap areas. This segmentation allows both operations to proceed simultaneously and independently, eliminating the need for the acquisition vessel to return and reducing overall survey time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent seismic source vessel serves multiple functions: it identifies coverage gaps through analysis of primary survey data, navigates to appropriate infill locations, and acquires the necessary infill seismic data. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require the acquisition vessel to perform return trips, thereby improving survey efficiency without compromising coverage completeness.
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
This approach reduces costs and delays by enabling real-time infill data acquisition during primary surveys, improving data coverage and quality, and predicting potential gaps to proactively address them, thus enhancing the efficiency of marine seismic data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
emitting seismic energy into the Earth with a seismic energy source
Implementation Method 2
The pressure sensor may be, for example, a hydrophone that records scalar pressure measurements of a seismic wavefield
Implementation Method 3
The particle motion sensor may be, for example, a three-component geophone or accelerometer that records vectorial velocity measurements of the seismic wavefield
Implementation Method 4
By observing the reflected seismic wavefield detected by the receiver(s) during the survey
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Embodiments of real-time infill in marine seismic surveys using an independent seismic source are described. One method of seismic data acquisition includes acquiring primary seismic data at a plurality of streamers towed by an acquisition vessel based at least in part on energy emitted by a first seismic source, and towing an independent seismic source to acquire infill seismic data at the plurality of streamers based at least in part on energy emitted by the independent seismic source while the primary seismic data is still being acquired at the plurality of streamers based at least in part on the energy emitted by the first seismic source, wherein the independent seismic source is towed independently of the acquisition vessel.