Seismic Vessel Distance Adjustment for Data Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine seismic surveys face challenges in maintaining optimal receiver spacing and configuration, especially in complex or obstructed waters, due to the difficulty in managing long streamer cables and achieving desired seismic data quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the distance between multiple seismic vessels according to predefined functions, allowing for varying offsets and azimuths during data acquisition, which can be dynamically controlled using GPS and navigation systems to optimize receiver positioning and density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the length of streamer cables and the density of receivers are increased to improve seismic data collection quality, then the quality of seismic data is improved, but it becomes more difficult to keep streamer cables separated and in a desired configuration during vessel maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seismic data acquisition system into multiple independent vessels, each towing its own streamer cable with receivers. This segmentation allows each vessel to manage its own streamer independently, avoiding the entanglement and management difficulties associated with single long streamers while maintaining high receiver density and data quality across the survey area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-vessel linear streamer configuration to a multi-vessel distributed array configuration. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple vessels operating in coordination, the system achieves high receiver density and flexible geometry without the operational constraints of managing extremely long single streamers
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seismic vessels are used to improve seismic data collection flexibility, then data collection at various offsets and azimuths is enabled, but the complexity of coordinating vessel positions and maintaining desired configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning systems with real-time communication between multiple vessels, allowing each vessel to adjust its position, speed, and orientation based on the relative positions of other vessels and the survey requirements. This dynamic coordination enables flexible survey geometries and adaptive response to environmental conditions while maintaining the desired receiver configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where each vessel continuously monitors its own position and the positions of other vessels in the array, using this information to make real-time adjustments to maintain optimal survey geometry. The feedback loop enables automatic correction of position drift and coordination of vessel movements to preserve the desired streamer configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for acquiring seismic data comprises operating a seismic vessel towing at least one of a seismic streamer with a plurality of seismic sensors and a seismic source. The inline distance between the vessel and one or more other vessels is adjusted according to a predefined function, where the seismic vessels travel along offset seismic acquisition lines, by increasing and reducing the in-line distance during the acquisition of the seismic data.