Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatuses related to coupling an autonomous seismic node to the seabed. In one embodiment, the node may comprise a plurality of holes on a bottom surface of the node and a plurality of openings on one or more sides and/or surfaces of the node. The bottom surface may comprise a coupling plate that is coupled to the node and/or coupled to a housing or casing that substantially surrounds a pressure node housing. The node may be configured to route water vertically from the bottom holes through the side openings and/or upper holes to decrease the potential of cavitation and fluidization of the seismic sediment and increase the seismic coupling of the node to the seabed.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for wireless data transfer on an autonomous seismic node are described. In an embodiment, an autonomous seismic node configured for wireless data transfer includes one or more power sources, one or more seismic sensors, one or more recording devices, and a wireless system. In one embodiment, the wireless system comprises a node electronics interface in data communication with one or more of the power sources, seismic sensors, and recording devices, and a wireless data communication interface for communication with an external data handling system. A communication system may include one or more vessel-based wireless systems configured to communicate with one or more node based wireless systems.
Abstract:
A method for cycling autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The method includes deploying plural current AUVs on the ocean bottom; recording the seismic signals during the marine seismic survey with plural current AUVs; releasing from an underwater base a new AUV to replace a corresponding current AUV from the plural current AUVs; recovering the current AUV; and continuing to record the seismic signals with the new AUV.
Abstract:
Seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The AUV may be negatively buoyant and comprise an external body (which may be formed of multiple housings) that substantially encloses a plurality of pressure housings. Portions of the external body housing may be acoustically transparent and house one or more acoustic devices for the AUV. The AUV may comprise a main pressure housing that holds substantially all of the electronic components of the AUV, while a second and third pressure housing may be located on either side of the main pressure housing for other electronic components (such as batteries). A plurality of external devices (such as acoustic devices or thrusters) may be coupled to the main pressure housing by external electrical conduit. The AUV may comprise fixed or retractable wings for increased gliding capabilities during subsea travel.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for operating a modular and/or containerized seismic source array system from a marine vessel and installation of same on any vessel of opportunity. The system may be transported, stored, and operated in a plurality of containers, each of which may be CSC approved ISO shipping containers. The containers are attached to the marine vessel by a grid attachment frame installed on the back deck of the vessel, such that a wide variety of container configurations is possible. The containers may be placed longitudinally and transversely on the grid attachment frame and may be multiple levels high. A detachable/removeable slipway may be utilized at the rear of the vessel to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the source arrays. The source array system can be combined with an ocean bottom node deployment or recovery system on the same vessel by utilizing same or similar container footprints.
Abstract:
Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.
Abstract:
Seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The AUV may be negatively buoyant and comprise an external body (which may be formed of multiple housings) that substantially encloses a plurality of pressure housings. Portions of the external body housing may be acoustically transparent and house one or more acoustic devices for the AUV. The AUV may comprise a main pressure housing that holds substantially all of the electronic components of the AUV, while a second and third pressure housing may be located on either side of the main pressure housing for other electronic components (such as batteries). A plurality of external devices (such as acoustic devices or thrusters) may be coupled to the main pressure housing by external electrical conduit. The AUV may comprise fixed or retractable wings for increased gliding capabilities during subsea travel.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an ocean bottom seismic node for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The ocean bottom seismic node may comprise an arched cathedral buoyant body coupled to a substantially flat bottom metal plate. The buoyant body may be formed of hard plastic (such as plastic injection in a mold) and have one or more cathedral type inner structures with columns that form a plurality of interconnected inner chambers, which may be dry or filled with foam and/or act as ballasts. One or more electronic components may be directly attached to the bottom metal plate (and within one or more of the internal cathedral chambers) and covered/protected by the buoyant body that is water and pressure resistant at seabed depths. The edge(s) of the buoyant body may seal around the metal plate on one or more peripheral edges of the plate and buoyant body.
Abstract:
A system, apparatus, and method for transferring a subsea payload (such as seismic nodes) at a subsea position by using an elevator system located on a subsea basket. A plurality of seismic nodes may be located on a plurality of support slides, trays, or other node holders at different levels within the basket. The elevator system is configured to move the seismic nodes between different heights within the basket for external transfer from one or more vertical positions. During transfer operations between a subsea basket and an underwater vehicle (e.g., ROV), the desired level of seismic nodes may be positioned to the desired vertical position within the basket and transferred to the ROV by various transfer mechanisms, such as an extendable stinger or chain drive. Multiple levels of seismic nodes (or node holders) may be transferred between the basket and ROV during a single subsea docking.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for monitoring, positioning, and/or guiding a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed by a plurality of acoustic pinging devices coupled to a deployment line and at least one surface buoy. The acoustic pinging devices are configured to emit a unique ID that may be detected by a receiver or transceiver located on each of the surface buoys. The acoustic pinging devices may be coupled to each node or only to a portion of the plurality of nodes (such as every two, three, or four nodes). The monitoring system may be configured to identify the ID, position, depth, and height of each seismic node during travel to the seabed and upon node touchdown with the seabed. A guidance system may be configured to guide the deployment of the deployment cable based upon node position data determined by the monitoring system.