Integrated marine seismic source and method
US6556510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/201
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for generating acoustic source energy in marine seismic operations. A plurality of acoustic energy sources are integrated within seismic streamers to facilitate deployment, power distribution and signal communication. The acoustic energy sources can comprise slotted cylinders activatable with piezoelectric elements. By providing an array of lightweight, energy efficient acoustic energy sources throughout a seismic receiver array, both zero-offset and far-offset reflection data can be recorded. The acoustic energy discharge can be swept over a time interval, or steered in a selected pattern throughout the array, to significantly reduce the impulse energy released into the water. The reflected signals can be compressed back into an impulse for subsequent data processing. Bi-static reflections can be generated simultaneously with the zero-offset source-receiver locations to improve the vertical and horizontal resolution of data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.