Geophysical method and apparatus

US6975560B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC. · US

Inventors

• Eivind Berg · Trondheim, NO
• Scott T. Michell · Houston, US
• Nigel P. Purnell · Sugar Land, US
• Graham Openshaw · Portsmouth, US
• Atle H. Fyhn · Trondheim, NO
• Gerard Beaudoin · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2003
• Grant date: Dec 13, 2005
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V1/3852
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing a seismic survey below the surface of a body of water and on the seabed. In one embodiment, a plurality of seismic data receivers are removably loaded in a carrier located above the surface of the water and the carrier is lowered into the water and placed at a depth relatively close to the seabed. Each of the receivers has a memory for recording the vibrations of the seabed and has a switch for activating the memory. A ROV is used to unload the receivers from the carrier and to deposit each receiver on the seabed and along a survey line. In one embodiment, the receivers comprise a frame, a pressure vessel for housing the memory and remotely activated controls, and a geophone that is separately planted into the seabed at a relatively short distance from the frame.