Sparse Seismic Acquisition with Non-Overlapping Vessel Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys are costly and time-consuming due to the large amount of equipment and coordination required, with significant overlap in near-offset range data collection leading to inefficient data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
Towing multiple seismic sources behind separate vessels to create non-overlapping coverage areas with controlled gaps, allowing for reduced equipment and time while maintaining sufficient data accuracy for identifying geological features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional towed-streamer acquisition geometries are used with multiple streamers and overlapping swaths, then coverage completeness is improved, but survey cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the survey area into distinct coverage zones assigned to different vessels, with each vessel responsible for specific geographic regions. This segmentation eliminates redundant overlapping data collection while ensuring complete coverage through coordinated vessel positioning and gap targeting.
2Measurement precision
If streamers are spaced 50-100 meters apart and towed in racetrack geometry with 50% or more overlap, then near offset range coverage is improved, but equipment requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D racetrack geometry to a 3D spatial arrangement where multiple vessels operate at different positions and depths simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows for optimized streamer spacing and eliminates the need for excessive overlap by utilizing vertical and horizontal spatial distribution.
3Productivity
If multiple vessels are used to reduce survey time and cost, then productivity improves, but coordination complexity and data gap management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time monitoring and communication systems that provide continuous feedback on vessel positions, streamer depths, and coverage areas. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of vessel trajectories and operational parameters to maintain optimal spacing and eliminate gaps, simplifying coordination despite multiple vessels operating simultaneously.
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 survey costs and time without compromising the ability to identify geological structures, such as oil and gas reservoirs, by strategically positioning vessels to generate non-overlapping data coverage areas.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the emission of seismic energy into the Earth with a seismic source of energy
Implementation Method 2
monitoring the Earth's response to the seismic source with one or more receivers to create an image of the subsurface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Embodiments herein use an acquisition vessel towing a plurality of receivers and a seismic source and a source vessel towing a seismic source to acquire seismic data corresponding to a subsurface below a bottom surface of a body of water. When activating the seismic source on the acquisition vessel, the plurality of receivers acquire survey data for a central coverage area underneath a swath defined by the plurality of receivers. However, when activating the seismic source on the source vessel, the plurality of receivers acquires survey data for a side coverage area. The embodiments herein control a separation distance between the acquisition and source vessels so that there is a gap between the central and side coverage areas resulting from activating the seismic sources towed by those vessels. This gap can reduce the cost and time required to perform the seismic survey.