Marine Seismic Source Array Position Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic survey methods face challenges in accurately determining the positions of seismic sources in an array, particularly when sources are not rigidly positioned, and require external systems for monitoring, which can be unreliable and limited to deep water seismography.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the pressure field at multiple independent locations within a seismic source array to determine the positions of sources without an external position measurement system, by comparing notional signatures of nominally identical sources to ensure accurate positioning, allowing for simultaneous actuation of sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external position measurement systems are used to monitor seismic source positions, then position information can be obtained, but the system becomes more complex and reliability decreases due to system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic source array determines its own position by measuring the pressure field at multiple independent locations and comparing notional signatures of nominally identical sources. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for external GPS or other external monitoring systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining position determination accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If external position measurement systems are used, then position monitoring is possible, but reliability is limited particularly in deep water seismography
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the seismic source array to autonomously determine its position through internal pressure field measurements and signature comparisons, eliminating dependence on external systems that may fail or be unavailable in deep water environments. This self-contained approach significantly improves reliability across all water depths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sources are not rigidly positioned in the array, then flexibility in array configuration is improved, but position determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical rigid positioning with an acoustic field-based position determination system. By measuring pressure fields at multiple locations and comparing notional signatures, the system can accurately determine the actual positions of flexible, non-rigidly-positioned sources, thereby maintaining position accuracy while enabling configuration flexibility.
4Device complexity
If sequential actuation of sources is used, then position determination is simpler, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables simultaneous actuation of multiple seismic sources by measuring pressure fields at multiple independent locations during a single survey pass. This periodic measurement approach captures position information from all sources concurrently, eliminating the need for sequential actuation and significantly improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic data processing.
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 accurate determination of seismic source positions without external systems, facilitating more reliable seismic data processing and overcoming limitations of prior methods, including those related to source array geometry and water depth.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the pressure field at M independent locations of the N sources
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining information about the positions of sources in a marine seismic source array that has N seismic sources, including at least Nunique types of sources that are nominally non-identical to one another, where 1≦Nunique≦N−1. The method comprises measuring the pressure field at M independent locations of the N sources, where M>Nunique, and obtaining information about the positions of sources from the M pressure measurements and from the constraint that at least two of the sources are nominally identical to one another.