Mini-streamer for Near-Zero Offset Marine Survey Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The large separation between survey sources and receivers in marine surveying prevents the acquisition of near-zero offset survey data, leading to reduced accuracy in data processing due to interference and noise limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mini-streamer attached to the survey source with survey receivers, separate from the main streamer, allows for near-zero offset measurements to be made, improving data processing accuracy by reducing noise and filling data gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If survey receivers are located far from the marine vessel to avoid noise interference, then noise interference is reduced, but the ability to acquire near-zero offset survey data is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise interferenceVSAvoidoffset measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The survey system is divided into two separate streamers: a first streamer with receivers positioned far from the vessel to avoid noise, and a second streamer (mini-streamer) with receivers positioned close to the source for near-zero offset measurements. This segmentation allows each streamer to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second streamer acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the source and the main survey array, enabling near-zero offset measurements to be acquired without requiring the main streamer to be positioned close to the vessel where noise would be problematic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If survey sources are towed close to the marine vessel to avoid entanglement issues, then entanglement problems are avoided, but near-zero offset survey data cannot be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentanglement avoidanceVSAvoidoffset measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver system is segmented into two separate streamers with different positioning strategies. The first streamer maintains safe distance from the vessel to avoid entanglement, while the second streamer is positioned close to the source to enable near-zero offset measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single streamer is used for both noise avoidance and near-zero offset measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but both objectives cannot be simultaneously achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreamer configurationVSAvoidnear-zero offset measurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The survey system uses two separate streamers with distinct functions: the first streamer is optimized for noise avoidance by positioning receivers far from the vessel, while the second streamer is optimized for near-zero offset measurements by positioning receivers close to the source. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to specialize.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The overall survey system achieves multi-functionality by combining two streamers with different positioning strategies, enabling both noise avoidance and near-zero offset measurements to be performed simultaneously within the same survey operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9513391B2Acquiring near-zero offset survey data

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 REFLECTION MARINE NORGE AS

AI summary

To acquire near-zero offset survey data, a survey source and a first streamer attached to the survey source are provided, where the first streamer has at least one survey receiver. A second streamer separate from the survey source and the first streamer includes survey receivers. Near-zero offset data is measured using the at least one survey receiver of the first streamer.