Wax Coating Application for Marine Streamer Anti-Fouling

Solution Overview

Problem

Marine geophysical surveying is hindered by marine growth on sensor cables, which increases drag resistance and reduces data quality due to increased noise.

Innovation Solution

A wax application system is employed to apply a wax coating to the surface of streamers, preventing marine growth and improving the operational efficiency of marine geophysical surveying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If streamers are towed in water for extended periods, then geophysical data can be collected, but marine growth adheres to and grows on the streamer surface, increasing drag resistance and fuel costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeophysical surveying capabilityVSAvoidmarine growth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wax coating is applied to the streamer surface before deployment into the marine environment. This preliminary protective action prevents marine organisms from adhering to the streamer during the survey operation, eliminating the need for post-deployment cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wax coating serves as a temporary protective layer that is applied fresh before each survey and degrades or is removed after use. This disposable protective measure is more economical than alternative solutions such as periodic streamer replacement or complex anti-fouling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If streamers are towed at selected depths, then geophysical data can be collected from below the Earth's surface, but marine growth increases drag resistance leading to increased fuel costs and reduced production speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeophysical data qualityVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The wax coating is applied to the streamer surface before deployment into the marine environment. This preliminary protective action prevents marine organisms from adhering to the streamer during the survey operation, eliminating the need for post-deployment cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wax coating changes the surface properties of the streamer, creating a hydrophobic barrier that alters the interaction between water and the streamer surface. This parameter change reduces drag coefficient and prevents biofouling, maintaining optimal production speed throughout the survey.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If streamers are towed for extended periods, then geophysical surveying can be performed, but marine growth increases noise and reduces data quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurveying durationVSAvoiddata quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wax coating is applied to the streamer surface before deployment into the marine environment. This preliminary protective action prevents marine organisms from adhering to the streamer during the survey operation, eliminating the need for post-deployment cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wax coating serves as a temporary protective layer that is applied fresh before each survey and degrades or is removed after use. This disposable protective measure is more economical than alternative solutions such as periodic streamer replacement or complex anti-fouling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The wax coating effectively prevents marine growth, reducing drag resistance and noise, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of marine geophysical surveys.

Implementation Method 1

A wax application system is employed to apply a wax coating to the surface of streamers, preventing marine growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtective coating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

The wax coating effectively prevents marine growth, reducing drag resistance and noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12287199B2Methods and systems for application of wax on geophysical streamers

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS

AI summary

Embodiments relate generally to marine geophysical surveying. More particularly, embodiments relate to a wax application system for application of a wax coating to a surface of a streamer. An embodiment may comprise a marine geophysical survey system. The marine geophysical survey system may comprise a streamer and a wax application system operable to receive the streamer on deployment and apply a wax coating to the streamer as the streamer is being deployed from a survey vessel into a body of water.