Abstract:
A method of quantifying the level of weather and sea noise during marine seismic surveys which often negatively effect the acquired data produced thereby, by recording this noise along the seismic line prior to the shot registration and possibly also during a break in the shot registration and/or after the conclusion of the shot registration, and obtaining a picture of these noise conditions which correspond to those which are found in the stacked records of common reflection points for improving the signal/noise ratio in the stacked CMP data.
Abstract:
In seismic surveys in waters covered with ice, where seismic impulses are actuated under water and reflected signals are detected by a streamer cable (2) towed behind a vessel (1), in order to avoid the source of noise located outside the seismic system due to the icebreaking operation of the vessel (1) the vessel (1) is stopped during active survey and the streamer cable (3) is hauled in with a speed corresponding to the desired propulsion speed of the cable during detection. After detection the vessel again resumes ordinary operational speed and the streamer is paid out with a speed which maintains the desired advancing speed of the system.
Abstract:
The present invention enables both deep marine seismic surveys and site seismic surveys to be performed simultaneously. A survey vessel tows a first seismic array (6, 16, 20) for a deep survey and a second seismic array (6, 16, 20) for the site survey. The arrays are operationally distinct but may share common physical components.
Abstract:
For the balancing of seismic streamer cables (1) circular ring or sleeve-shaped weighted bodies are adjustably attached at desired intervals on the cable. The weighted bodies can be resilient for temporarily enlarging an opening (3) to receive the cable therethrough and for closing onto the cable in use, or can be circular cross-sectional bodies formed by two parts (4, 5, 4', 5') partially connected together by a single pin (6, 6') and fastened together by a spring pin (7) or hook-shaped pivoted lever (8) engageable with a retainer pin (10).
Abstract:
A method for calibration of hydrophone groups is based on the use of a Helmholtz resonator, which is arranged such that a seismic streamer (Il) or sections thereof can be placed in the resonator's cavity (1) and connected via a hydrophone group selector (9) to a signal analyzer (6). A sound source (3) provided in the Helmholtz resonator is driven by a white noise signal at a frequency close to the resonator's resonance frequency. The sensitivity of the hydrophones in the respective hydrophone group (10) which is to be calibrated is determined by passing the hydrophone signals to the signal analyzer (6) where they are compared with a reference signal from a reference transducer (5), e.g., a measuring microphone, provided in the resonator. The Helmholtz resonator is designed as a drum-shaped vessel (1) provided with a funnel-shaped neck which constitutes an acoustic horn (2) and creates an impedance matching between the vessel (1), which constitutes a resonant cavity, and an electrodynamic transducer, which constitutes the sound source (3), provided at the smaller end of the horn (2). For the measurements a measuring microphone (5) is provided inside the cavity together with, e.g., a reel (4) or drum on which are wound sections of a seismic streamer, or a seismic streamer (11), whose hydrophone groups (10) are to be calibrated.
Abstract:
Release device for a cable used during seismic surveys at sea and towed through the water behind a vessel so that in the event of the occurrence of obstacles or other occasions when it is desirable to release the cable (1) from the towing vessel, a controlled release of the cable is possible so that it is not severed, but can be recovered for further use. At one or more locations in such cables release sections (2) are inserted which contain sensors which sense loading in the section and in the event of overloading or other occasions when release is desirable, an element (5) is activated which cause a release mechanism (6) to be activated and thereby causes a split in the cable (1) at a predetermined location.
Abstract:
In towing sources of seismic energy behind a vessel, especially in connection with seismic surveys in waters which are covered with ice, the buoyancy floats and also the sources of seismic energy are readily influenced by broken up ice collecting behind the icebreaking towing vessel. In order to stabilize the tow of sources of seismic energy a towing line (7) is secured between the buoyancy means (4) belonging to the tow of sources of energy (3) and the vessel (1) at a point (10) which is located in the area of the waterline, so that towing line (7) will extend in the area of the waterline. Another towing line (8) is connected directly with the array of sources of seismic energy (5) and is secured to a towing point (11) on the vessel (1) located below the waterline. An arrangement is also disclosed for securing the towing line (8) in a suitable location to avoid influence from ice and, furthermore, the design of floats (4) avoids influence from the ice.
Abstract:
A method in real time control systems for seismic interference to indicate an acceptable level of interference in relation to the amplitude, angle of incidence, and frequency of a seismic reflection signal, and to remove such interference loaded signals during seismic surveys, comprises steps to determine lower threshold values of coverage, identify interference and amplitude anomaly in the recorded signal of reflection, estimate the expected value of amplitude characteristic of the signal on the basis of recorded amplitude characteristics of recorded signals from one or a plurality of preceding series of survey, mark time windows in which interference and/or amplitude anomaly are identified, generate a table of the number of times a certain time window was marked in the series of recordings of the same point of reflection, assign limits on the number of interference events to various marked time windows, and remove from the recordings those time windows wherein the number of interference events exceeds the limit.
Abstract:
A device for controlling a seismic cable that is towed behind a vessel (1), so that the cable follows a path that is displaced laterally in relation to the path of the vessel, comprises a frame structure (6, 7) extending transversely to the towing direction and outwardly from the area of gun suspension from the cable having longitudinal frame members provided with intermediate transverse members extending obliquely or in a curved manner whereby the front ends of the transverse members, as seen in the towing direction, are disposed further outwards laterally than the rear ends of the transverse members. When towed, the frame will this be forced outwardly by the water flowing through the frame structure and the desired lateral displacement will be achieved.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a multiple-element marine seismic pulse generating source in rough sea surface conditions. The method first determines the shape of the path along which the elements are traveling at the point in time just before each element of the source is activated. Once the shape of the path is known, the relative vertical position of each element relative to a fixed reference is determined. Adjustments can then be entered into the firing times for each element such that the primary pressure peaks constructively interfere with one another. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of inclinometers associated with the harness from which the devices are suspended provides a tilt angle measurement from which the shape of the path can be determined and the firing times adjusted accordingly.