Chevron Research Company

Earl J Brown

Swan A Sie

In accordance with the present invention, a marine streamer test system and method (MARSTEST) is disclosed for testing field-worthiness of hydrophone sections within the streamer under both passive and dynamic operating conditions. With regard to a passive operating state, five (5) test parameters are automatically generated and compared with upper and lower limits stored within a mini-computer housed aboard the marine exploration boat. Any out-of-specification values trip an alarm network and a printer to warn of the malfunctioning streamer section. Result: replacement or other repair can be effected. With regard to dynamic operating conditions, acceptable 'signature' characteristics of the streamer (such characteristics can be 2 or more of the above 5 parameters) are stored within the computer aboard the exploration boat and are compared with actually generated field parameter values acquired during operations, say between 'shots', i.e., between the sequential activation of the seismic source used in the generation of the seismic data. Result: any seismic data acquired by the suspect hydrophone section can be properly interpreted in view of the malfunctioning state of that section.

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Corona, CA, United States of America

Earl J Brown