Active separation tracking and positioning system for towed seismic arrays
US6691038B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/3826
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus comprising an active control system for a towed seismic streamer array that enables any relative positional control of any number of towed seismic streamers. The streamer positions are controlled horizontally and vertically using active control units positioned within the seismic array. The three component (x, y, z) position of each streamer element, relative to the vessel and relative to each other is controlled, tracked and stored during a seismic data acquisition run. The present invention enables a seismic array to be maneuvered as the towing vessel maintains course, enables maintenance of specific array position and geometry in the presence of variable environmental factors and facilitates four-dimensional seismic data acquisition by sensing and storing the position of the array and each array element with respect to time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.