Steerable Marine Geophysical Source for Deep Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine surveying technologies face challenges in deep towing and achieving precise control over geophysical sources, leading to suboptimal data quality and noise interference, especially when surface obstructions are present and multiple depth or horizontal positions are required.
Innovation Solution
The development of steerable marine geophysical sources, such as marine vibrator sources, which can rotate around their axis and adjust angles of attack, pitch, and yaw, allowing for independent control of their position and orientation, reducing noise and enabling deep towing and operation at multiple depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If geophysical sources are towed near the water surface, then access for power and data transfer is easy, but data quality deteriorates and surface obstructions impede towing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by enabling lateral steering of the geophysical source away from the towing vessel's path. This allows the source to be positioned at optimal depths and locations for data quality while maintaining surface access for power and data through the umbilical cable, effectively resolving the contradiction between operational ease and data quality.
2Reliability
If geophysical sources are towed deeply, then data quality improves, but access for power and data transfer becomes difficult and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic steering control that allows the geophysical source to change its position and orientation in real-time during towing. This dynamic capability enables the source to maintain deep towing positions for optimal data quality while the umbilical cable remains manageable through active position control, resolving the contradiction between data quality and operational ease.
3Device complexity
If geophysical sources are towed in fixed positions, then towing system is simple, but inability to achieve multiple depth and horizontal positions limits survey flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-steering capability where the geophysical source autonomously adjusts its own position and orientation using onboard steering mechanisms. This self-service approach provides multiple depth and horizontal positions without requiring complex external towing system modifications, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and survey versatility.
4Device complexity
If traditional towing systems are used, then system complexity is low, but vibration and noise interfere with data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steering function from the traditional towing system and integrates it directly into the geophysical source platform. This separation allows the towing system to remain simple while the source itself handles position control, reducing vibration and noise generated by complex towing mechanisms and improving data quality.
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 solution enhances data quality by allowing for precise positioning and reduced noise, facilitating better hydrocarbon discovery and extraction from subsurface formations.
Implementation Method 1
The vibrational surface may be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the marine vibrator source. The vibrational surface may also be vibrated while being rotated.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for geophysical source steering including towing (610) a first geophysical source through a body of water; and adjusting (620) a first steering parameter of the first geophysical source while towing the first geophysical source. An apparatus for geophysical source steering including a first marine vibrator source having a first housing structure; a first vibrational surface (110) functionally coupled to the first housing structure such that at least a portion of the first vibrational surface can vibrate relative to the first housing structure; and first steering control equipment.