Marine Seismic Survey Spread Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine seismic acquisition survey control systems fail to account for a broad spectrum of input conditions and parameters, including time-delayed effects, and lack comprehensive control of the seismic survey spread using a coordinated suite of steering devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a seismic survey spread that collects input data including navigation, operating states, and environmental data to estimate source and receiver positions, determine optimum tracks, and calculate drive commands, considering performance specifications and time-delayed responses, using a transform function that incorporates a spread model and weighting function to optimize spatial targets and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive control of the seismic survey spread using a coordinated suite of steering devices is implemented, then the precision of source and receiver positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent steering devices distributed along the streamer (front-end deflectors, in-line steering devices, tail buoys), each capable of autonomous control based on local conditions. This segmentation allows precise positioning of different streamer sections while maintaining manageable individual device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform that simultaneously performs navigation data processing, environmental data analysis, position estimation, optimum track determination, and drive command calculation. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate independent systems.
2Measurement precision
If a broad spectrum of input conditions and parameters including time-delayed effects is accounted for, then the accuracy of survey control is improved, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes navigation data, operating state data, and environmental data to estimate source and receiver positions before determining optimum tracks. This preliminary estimation reduces the computational burden during the track optimization phase by providing pre-calculated position inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors actual streamer positions and compares them with estimated positions, using the differences (feedback) to adjust drive commands in real-time. This feedback mechanism improves control accuracy by accounting for time-delayed effects and environmental variations without requiring exhaustive computational models.
3Productivity
If real-time control adjustments are made to account for environmental conditions and time-delayed effects, then the productivity of the survey is improved, but the response time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines optimum tracks in advance based on estimated positions and survey design data, preparing control commands before they are needed during actual execution. This preliminary track determination reduces real-time response requirements while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts drive commands based on real-time environmental conditions and observed streamer behavior, adapting the control strategy to changing conditions. This dynamic approach improves survey efficiency by optimizing control actions for current conditions without requiring excessive response time.
Data Source
AI summary
An inventive method provides for control of a seismic survey spread while conducting a seismic survey, the spread having a vessel, a plurality of spread control elements, a plurality of navigation nodes, and a plurality of sources and receivers. The method includes the step of collecting input data, including navigation data for the navigation nodes, operating states from sensors associated with the spread control elements, environmental data for the survey, and survey design data. The positions of the sources and receivers are estimated using the navigation data, the operating states, and the environmental data. Optimum tracks for the sources and receivers are determined using the position estimates and a portion of the input data that includes at least the survey design data. Drive commands are calculated for at least two of the spread control elements using the determined optimum tracks. The inventive method is complemented by an inventive system.