Autonomous Marine Vessel Seismic Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine seismic surveys, particularly towed marine streamer methods, are expensive and inefficient due to the need for long streamers, multiple vessels, and complex data acquisition systems, making it difficult to acquire accurate long and ultra-long offset seismic data required for full waveform inversion.
Innovation Solution
The use of an unmanned marine vessel equipped with a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array, including hydrophones, MEMS accelerometers, geophones, and pressure gradient sensors, which can acquire long and ultra-long seismic data autonomously, reducing the need for extensive vessel deployment and complex data management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If long streamers (12 km or more) are used to acquire long and ultra-long offset seismic data, then the required offset distance is improved, but the cost and complexity of the survey increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long streamer into multiple shorter streamer sections (e.g., 3-5 sections of 2-3 km each) that can be independently deployed and controlled. This segmentation reduces the complexity of handling and controlling the entire streamer system while still achieving the required ultra-long offset distances by positioning sections at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) as intermediary platforms to deploy and position the streamer sections. These ASVs act as mediators between the base vessel and the streamer sections, enabling precise positioning and control without requiring the base vessel to directly manage the entire 12+ km streamer system.
2Length of stationary object
If additional source vessels are deployed to acquire long and ultra-long offset data, then the offset coverage is improved, but the survey cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) to perform multiple functions: they can deploy streamer sections, act as additional seismic sources, and position themselves at various locations to provide both receiver and source capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated source vessels while still achieving comprehensive ultra-long offset coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The ASVs are autonomous and can independently navigate to required positions, deploy streamer sections, and conduct seismic surveys without continuous human intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for additional crewed source vessels and simplifies survey operations while maintaining comprehensive offset coverage.
3Measurement precision
If OBC surveys are used to acquire seismic data, then data quality is improved, but the acquisition time and cost increase by 3-5 times compared to towed marine surveys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the static OBC approach (cables fixed on the sea floor) to a dynamic system where streamer sections are towed by autonomous vessels that can move to different positions. This dynamic deployment maintains the high data quality of OBC surveys while significantly reducing acquisition time by eliminating the need to lay and retrieve long stationary cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The streamer sections are pre-deployed by the autonomous surface vessels to optimal positions before the main survey begins. This preliminary positioning allows the survey to proceed efficiently without the time-consuming process of deploying and configuring long OBC cables during the survey operation.
4Area of stationary object
If large streamer spreads (6-12 streamers, 3+ km length) are used, then the survey coverage is improved, but the control and maneuverability near stationary platforms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large streamer spread into multiple smaller, independently controlled streamer sections (each 2-3 km long). These segmented sections can be independently maneuvered by separate autonomous surface vessels, enabling precise control and easy avoidance of stationary platforms while maintaining comprehensive survey coverage through coordinated positioning of multiple sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for acquiring seismic streamer data is provided. Embodiments may include performing a marine seismic survey using an unmanned marine vessel having a power source configured to drive and provide propulsion to the unmanned marine vessel. Embodiments may further include acquiring one or more of long and ultra-long seismic survey data using a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled with the unmanned marine vessel and providing the seismic survey data as a reduced data set that includes long and ultra long offsets.