Seismic Source Towing Configuration for Wide Offset Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys face limitations in operational efficiency due to interference and tangling issues between seismic sources, source cables, and lead-in cables, which restrict the distance between the seismic sources and the centerline of the vessel, thereby affecting data quality and survey efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves towing seismic sources outside the outermost lead-in cable, with the sources positioned between 50 and 1000 meters apart from the vessel's centerline, and using deflectors and varying cable densities to manage cable depth and position, reducing interference and improving operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seismic sources are positioned close to the vessel centerline, then cable interference and tangling are reduced, but the offset distance is limited which affects data quality and survey efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration by deploying source cables at greater depths than lead-in cables. This vertical dimension allows sources to be positioned laterally outside the lead-in cable spread without increasing horizontal interference, thereby increasing offset distance while maintaining cable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions source cables within the vertical space occupied by the lead-in cable spread, nesting the source cable system within the overall cable architecture. By utilizing the vertical depth dimension, source cables can extend laterally beyond the lead-in cable spread while remaining nested within the same operational envelope, reducing horizontal interference.
2Productivity
If seismic sources are positioned far from the vessel centerline, then data quality and survey efficiency are improved, but cable interference and tangling risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the cable tangling risk by moving the separation mechanism from the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension. Source cables are deployed at greater depths than lead-in cables, creating vertical clearance that prevents tangling even when sources are positioned far laterally from the vessel centerline, thus enabling increased survey efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different depth characteristics to different cable types within the same system. Lead-in cables maintain shallower depths for operational access, while source cables are positioned at greater depths for lateral separation. This localized depth differentiation allows sources to be positioned far from the centerline without increasing tangling risks.
3Ease of manufacture
If source cables are deployed at the same depth as lead-in cables, then deployment is simpler, but lateral separation is limited which restricts offset distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds vertical depth differentiation to the cable deployment system. Instead of relying solely on horizontal separation at a single depth, source cables are deployed at greater depths than lead-in cables. This vertical dimension enables significant lateral separation distances while maintaining manageable deployment procedures through depth-controlled release mechanisms.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
A method for acquiring seismic data, comprising towing a plurality of lead-in cables (311-317) coupled to a vessel (210;300) and streamers (250); and towing a plurality of source cables (320-322) coupled to the vessel (210;300) and seismic sources (330) such that the seismic sources (250) are disposed outside an outermost lead-in cable (311) in the plurality of lead-in cables (311-317). The seismic sources (330) are disposed in front of the streamer spread, outside the lead-in cable spread, and at least one of the plurality of the lead-in cables (311-317) is disposed at a greater depth than the source cables (320-322) or seismic (330) sources and wherein the seismic sources (330) are between 50 and 1000 meters apart from the centerline (260) of the vessel (210;300).