Westerngeco L.l.p.

Pgs Geophysical As

Rune Toennessen

Kenneth E Welker

Mattias Oscarsson

Rune Sindre Voldsbekk

Eskild Storteig

Oeystein Traetten

Martin N Howlid

Erik Vigen

Emmanuel Keskes

Jon Magnus Soerli

Jens Olav Paulsen

Philippe Saint-Pere

Per Helgerud

Vahid Moosavi

Deploying and retrieving streamer cleaning devices. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including transferring a streamer cleaning device to a geophysical sensor streamer. The transferring may include towing the geophysical sensor streamer through water while the geophysical sensor streamer submerged, towing a tow fish through water by way of an umbilical (the streamer cleaning device coupled within a payload area of the tow fish during the towing of the tow fish through the water), landing the tow fish on the geophysical sensor streamer and thereby abutting the streamer cleaning device against the geophysical sensor streamer, closing the streamer cleaning device around the geophysical sensor streamer, releasing the streamer cleaning device from the payload area, and separating the tow fish from streamer cleaning device and the geophysical sensor streamer.

Methods and systems of deploying and retrieving streamer cleaning devices

A system can include a source and a front float coupled to the source. The front float can include a winch configured to adjust a position of the source. The front float can include a control unit configured to control functions associated with the front float. Lead-ins can be coupled to the front float and the source and configured to accommodate transfer of electrical energy between the front float and the source.

Source towing arrangement

Techniques are disclosed relating to towing source elements and geophysical sensors through a body of water using one or more unmanned tow vessel. In some embodiments, a plurality of unmanned tow vessels are configured to tow one or more signal sources and/or one or more streamers. The plurality of unmanned tow vessels may, in some embodiments, traverse various sail paths along a surface of a body of water in order to acquire geophysical data relating to formations disposed below the bottom of the body of water.

Performing geophysical surveys using unmanned tow vessels

This disclosure is related to marine seismic sources, for example marine seismic sources known in the art as benders. Some embodiments of this disclosure use Lorentz forces to produce seismic energy. For example, magnets and wire coils may be attached to one or more plates of a marine seismic source, and the Lorentz interaction between them may cause deformation of the plates to produce seismic energy. Such marine seismic sources may be components of a marine seismic survey system, and may be used in a method of marine seismic surveying. Methods of making marine seismic sources are also disclosed.

Low-frequency lorentz marine seismic source

This disclosure is related to marine seismic sources, for example marine seismic sources known in the art as benders. Some embodiments of this disclosure use magnetic reluctance forces to produce seismic energy. For example, pole pieces may be attached to one or more plates of a marine seismic source, and a wire coil may induce an attractive force between the pole pieces to cause deformation of the plates to produce seismic energy. Such marine seismic sources may be components of a marine seismic survey system, and may be used in a method of marine seismic surveying. Methods of making marine seismic sources are also disclosed.

Low-frequency magnetic reluctance marine seismic source

Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72().

Forward looking systems and methods for positioning marine seismic equipment

A technique for seismic surveying is presented in which a towed array, marine seismic spread, includes a plurality of streamers and a deflector system. The deflector system laterally spreads the seismic streamers, wherein at least one streamer in the spread is deflected using more than one deflector attached to the tow cable or streamer, and where the deflectors are not connected to a float on the sea surface. Other aspects of the technique include methods for towing such a spread and for controlling such a spread. Still other aspects include computing resources which may be used to perform the methods.

Multiwing surface free towing system

Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus are described having an elongate body, at least a portion of which is positioned eccentric of a marine seismic streamer, the apparatus having stability features selected from: one or more lateral steering control surfaces providing a center of lift approximately through a vertical streamer axis; one or more buoyancy elements providing a center of buoyancy through the same or a different vertical axis approximately through the center of the streamer; and combinations thereof. The apparatus have improved stability and avoid heeling during use.

Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus

A marine seismic system having a tow vessel; a first tow member connected to the tow vessel; a second tow member connected to the tow vessel; a first distance member having a first end connected to the first tow member and a second end connected to the second tow member; and a first attachment device connecting the first end to the first tow member, the first attachment member operational between an engaged position securing the first end of the distance member in a fixed position relative to the first tow member and a disengaged position permitting the first attachment device to move along a portion of the first tow member.

Interconnecting tow members of a marine seismic system

Systems and methods for automatic steering of marine seismic sources are described. One system comprises a marine seismic spread comprising a towing vessel and a seismic source, the seismic source comprising one or more source arrays each having a center of source array, each source array having one or more source strings; a seismic source deployment sub-system on the towing vessel, the sub-system controlled by a controller including a software module, the software module and the deployment sub-system adapted to control an inline distance between one of the centers of source array and a target coordinate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Active steering systems and methods for marine seismic sources

A technique facilitates the steering of seismic survey related devices during seismic survey applications. A steering device is provided with a wing pivotably mounted to a body via a pivot member. As the steering device is moved through a liquid, the liquid acts against the wing and creates a torque about the pivot member which varies according to the angle of attack of the steering device. The steering device further comprises at least one feature designed to change the torque that would otherwise act on the pivot member.

Steering system and method for use in seismic survey applications

Apparatus and methods are described for remotely controlling position of marine seismic equipment. One apparatus comprises a source connected to a tow member; and an adjustment mechanism connected to the source and the tow member, the adjustment mechanism adapted to actively manipulate an angle of attack of the source. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

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Oslo, Norway

Rune Toennessen