Seismic Streamer Depth Control for Efficient Turns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic prospecting methods for seabed analysis require significant resources and are inefficient, particularly due to the need for multiple source ships and complex vessel maneuvers, which increases operational costs and reduces data acquisition efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where seismic streamers are towed by separate training vessels, with relative positioning using acoustic beacons and adjustable depth control, allowing for optimized turns and reduced resource usage by minimizing bend phases and enabling efficient data collection with fewer and smaller vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple source ships are used around seismic lines, then measurement optimization and seabed analysis during turns are improved, but resource requirements and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the seismic streamer network into multiple independent segments, each towed by a separate training vessel. This segmentation allows each vessel to operate autonomously and reduces the need for multiple source ships, as the distributed streamer configuration maintains measurement quality with fewer vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic beacons are introduced as intermediary devices to enable precise relative positioning between seismic streamers and training vessels. This intermediary positioning system allows for accurate data acquisition and seabed analysis without requiring the complex multi-vessel source configuration, thereby reducing resource requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If seismic streamers are towed at constant depth, then towing simplicity is maintained, but maneuverability during turns and ability to cross streamers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic depth control for seismic streamers during turning maneuvers. Depth control devices adjust the streamer depth in real-time based on the vessel's maneuvering state, allowing streamers to cross above or below each other during turns. This dynamic adjustment maintains towing simplicity during straight-line operations while enabling versatile maneuvering when needed.
3Area of stationary object
If deep bends are used to join straight acquisition lines, then geographical area coverage is improved, but bend phases become long and complex making them unusable for seismic exploration
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the bend problem by transitioning from a two-dimensional horizontal connection to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. Streamers are positioned at different depths and offset longitudinally before bends, allowing them to cross above or below each other. This vertical dimension eliminates the need for long horizontal bend phases, maintaining both geographical coverage and data acquisition efficiency.
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 operational costs, improves maneuverability, and enhances data acquisition efficiency by allowing for a wide variety of acquisition geometries and configurations, thereby optimizing resource utilization and reducing unnecessary phases like bends.
Implementation Method 1
relative positioning device comprising acoustic beacons arranged along each seismic streamer
Implementation Method 2
The pressure wave generated by the seismic source passes through the water column to the seabed. This seismic wave is reflected or refracted by the seabed and by the underlying geological structures.
Implementation Method 3
The pressure wave generated by the seismic source passes through the water column to the seabed. This seismic wave is reflected or refracted by the seabed and by the underlying geological structures.
Implementation Method 4
The pressure wave generated by the seismic source passes through the water column to the seabed. This seismic wave is reflected or refracted by the seabed and by the underlying geological structures.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~11
Figure 12~12bis
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for analyzing the seabed (1) in which: - at least one source vessel (2a) emits seismic pulses, - the reflected seismic pulses are detected by seismic flutes (31 to 34) submerged and towed side by side, - the seismic flutes are geographically located by a geographical location device (70a, 70b, 75, 76, 78), - the seismic flutes are located relative to each other by a relative positioning device comprising acoustic beacons, in which training vessels (5, 6) tow the flutes, during turns, at a depth distinct from one training vessel to another so as to allow a crossing of seismic flutes one above the other.