Method and apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismometers

• US 20060159524A1
• Filed: 01/17/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magseis FF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Fisseler, Glenn D., Ray, Clifford H., Thompson, James N., Fyffe, Roger L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,534,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/190
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/00 Buoys floating decoys, e.g. for waterfowl A01M31/06; means for indicating the location of underwater objects B63C7/26; life-buoys, e.g. rings B63C9/08; mountings of acoustic transducer in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys G10K11/006; electric cables supported on or from floats H02G9/12
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/18 having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/00 Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects composition of chemical substances for use in breathing apparatus A62D9/00; swimming aids or equipment A63B31/00 - A63B35/00; submarines B63G8/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/004 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/005 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/007 by means of a physical link to a base, e.g. wire, cable or umbilical
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/00 Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted thereforsubmarine hulls B63B3/13; diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base B63C11/34; divers' sleds B63C11/46; torpedoes F42B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/001 Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations self-propelled or direction controlled diving chambers with mechanical link to a base B63C11/42
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3852 to the seabed
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3861 control of source arrays, e.g. for far field control

Abstract

A method and apparatus for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a carrier containing a plurality of receivers attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. In the case of the barrel, the receivers are axially stacked therein. The structure is disposed to deliver said receivers to a discharge port on said frame, where the receivers are removable from said carrier. The apparatus includes a discharge mechanism for removing said receivers from said carrier. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In yet another embodiment, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line extending from the vessel. The deployment line is used to guide receivers attached thereto down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.

Claims

1. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers from the deck of a marine vessel into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of:

a. removably loading a plurality of ocean bottom seismic data receivers in a carrier;

b. attaching said carrier to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV);

c. launching said remotely operated vehicle from the marine vessel located adjacent the surface of the body of water;

d. guiding the remotely operated vehicle with the attached carrier to a position adjacent the seabed;

e. causing said plurality of receivers to be removed from said carrier and placed on the seabed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

a. retrieving said ROV with attached carrier from the seabed floor;

and

b. reloading said carrier with additional ocean bottom seismic data receivers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier is rigidly attached to said ROV.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier is attached to said ROV by a non-rigid line.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

a. continuing said step of receiver removal and placement until substantially all of the receivers have been removed from the carrier and the carrier is substantially empty;

b. retrieving said ROV and attached substantially empty carrier from the seabed floor;

c. detaching said substantially empty carrier from the ROV;

d. providing a second carrier having a plurality of receivers;

e. attaching said second carrier to said ROV; and

f. re-launching said ROV from said vessel to repeat the steps of receiver placement.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of carriers on the deck of a marine vessel, wherein each carrier is loaded with a plurality of receivers.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

a. retrieving ocean bottom seismic data receivers deployed on the seabed floor;

b. loading said retrieved receivers into a carrier attached to said ROV; and

c. guiding said remotely operated vehicle from the seabed to a position adjacent the surface.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of unloading said receivers from said carrier.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of retrieving said ROV and attached carriage from the water and depositing said ROV on the deck.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of detaching the carrier from the ROV and unloading receivers from said carrier.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of extracting data from said receivers.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of preparing said receivers for re-deployment on said seabed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of preparing comprises the step of recharging the power supply of said receivers.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said ROV is tethered to said vessel.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said ROV is tethered to an intermediate control station deployed in the water and said intermediate control station is tethered to said vessel.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting the weight distribution of the carrier by moving said plurality of receivers within said carrier.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of retrieving a receiver from the seabed and placing in said carrier once at least one receiver has been removed from said carrier.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a camera on said remotely operated vehicle and utilizing said camera to conduct a visual inspection of a receiver once it is placed on the seabed.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing an indicator on a receiver and activating said indicator so as to indicate that said receiver is operating properly.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of viewing said indicator with said camera.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier is loaded with at least eight receivers.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of activating said receivers before the step of launching said remotely operated vehicle.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein said receivers are loaded on a rotatable carousel forming a part of said carrier.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said step of removing receivers comprises the steps of

a. rotating said carousel to a position a receiver adjacent a discharge port on said carriage;

and

b. utilizing a discharge mechanism to discharge said receiver from the carrier.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of discharging is accomplished by grasping said receiver and extracting said receiver from said carrier.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of discharging is accomplished by urging said receiver from said carrier.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of rotating said carousel to move another receiver adjacent said discharge port.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said second end of said rails are tapered to form a fork for engaging receivers.

104. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of

a. guiding the remotely operated vehicle with the attached carrier to a new position adjacent the seabed;

and

b. causing one of said receivers to be removed from said carrier and placed on the seabed.

105. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

a. providing a wireless modem on a receiver and on said remotely operated vehicle;

and

b. utilizing said wireless modem to provide communication with said receiver and said ROV.

106. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of initiating data recording at or near the time of deployment of said receiver on the seabed.

107. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of checking operational parameters of the said receiver at or near the time of deployment of said receiver on the seabed.

16. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers from the deck of a marine vessel into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of:

a. removably loading a plurality of ocean bottom seismic data receivers in at least two carriers;

b. providing at least two remotely operated vehicles;

c. attaching a carrier to each remotely operated vehicle;

d. launching each remotely operated vehicle from the marine vessel located adjacent the surface of the body of water;

e. guiding each remotely operated vehicle to a position adjacent the seabed; and

f. causing said plurality of receivers to be removed from their carriers and placed on the seabed.

29. An apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismic data receivers, said apparatus comprising

a. a remotely operated vehicle;

and

b. a carrier attached to said remotely operated vehicle,

c. wherein said carrier contains at least two ocean bottom seismic data receivers removably secured therein.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said carrier further comprises a frame and a discharge port.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said carrier further comprises a movable carousel housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers are disposed on said carousel.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said movable carousel defines a circular path and said carousel further comprises a plurality of seats movable along said circular path, each seat disposed for receipt of a seismic receiver and a drive motor for moving said seats around said path.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a frame housing said carousel, wherein said frame is attached to said ROV.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said frame and ROV are rotatable relative to said path.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said carousel is movable to selectively position a receiver adjacent the discharge port.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 further comprising a discharge mechanism for causing said receiver adjacent the discharge port to be ejected from said discharge port.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a spring for urging said receiver through said discharge port.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a robotic arm for moving said receiver through said discharge port.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said carrier.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said remotely operated vehicle.

41. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said carrier further comprises a movable conveyor housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers are disposed on said conveyor.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said conveyor comprises a liner track.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said conveyor comprises a non-liner track.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said conveyor comprises a liner belt.

45. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said conveyor comprises a non-linear belt.

46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said carrier comprises at least three movable conveyors housed within said frame.

47. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising buoyancy material attached to said frame.

48. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said conveyor is movable to selectively position a receiver adjacent the discharge port.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising a discharge mechanism for causing said receiver adjacent the discharge port to be ejected from said discharge port.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a spring for urging said receiver through said discharge port.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a robotic arm for moving said receiver through said discharge port.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said carrier.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said remotely operated vehicle.

54. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said carrier comprises at least one barrel defined along a central axis and having an inner chamber and first and second ends, wherein said plurality of receivers are axially disposed within said barrel, said barrel having a discharge port at one end thereof.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said receivers are axially movable within said barrel to selectively position a receiver adjacent the discharge port.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said carrier comprises two barrels attached to one another so as to be parallel to one another.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a plurality of inserts formed of buoyancy material, wherein said inserts are disposed between adjacent receivers when said receivers are seated in said barrel.

58. The apparatus of claim 54 further comprising a pump in fluid communication with inner chamber.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein said pump is attached adjacent the end of said barrel opposite said discharge port for pumping buoyancy fluid into said inner chamber.

60. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising a discharge mechanism for causing said receiver adjacent the discharge port to be ejected from said discharge port.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a spring for urging said receiver through said discharge port.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a robotic arm for moving said receiver through said discharge port.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said carrier.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said remotely operated vehicle.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said robotic arm comprises a suction cup for engaging said receivers.

66. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said carrier further comprises a set of parallel rails rigidly mounted within said housing, wherein said plurality of receivers are slidably mounted between said rails.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said rigid parallel rails form a linear path within said frame.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said rigid parallel rails form a non-linear path within said frame.

69. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said carrier comprises at least three sets of parallel rails mounted within said housing.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising buoyancy material attached to said frame.

71. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said rails are defined by a first end and a second end and wherein the second end of said rails extend from the discharge port.

73. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said rails are defined by a first end and a second end and wherein the second end of said rails terminate adjacent the discharge port.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising a deployment set of rails adjacent said discharge port, wherein said deployment rails are perpendicularly movable relative to the second end of said rigid rails, from a first position in which said deployment rails are aligned with said rigid rails to a second position where said deployment rails are disposed for releasing or grasping a receiver.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein said deployment rails are tapered to form a fork for engaging receivers.

76. The apparatus of claim 74, further comprising a piston for linearly moving said deployment rails between said first and second positions.

77. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a plurality of caps that attach to said receivers, wherein each cap comprises opposing sides that are notched so as to be engaged by said parallel rigid rails.

78. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said receivers are disposed on said rails to be slidable to a position adjacent the discharge port.

79. The apparatus of claim 78 further comprising a discharge mechanism for causing a receiver adjacent the discharge port to be ejected from said discharge port.

80. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a spring for urging said receiver through said discharge port.

81. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein said discharge mechanism comprises a robotic arm for moving said receiver through said discharge port.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said carrier.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said robotic arm is attached to said remotely operated vehicle.

84. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers from the deck of a marine vessel into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a remotely operated vehicle;

b. attaching a deployment line secured between said vehicle and said vessel;

c. guiding said vehicle to a position adjacent the seabed;

d. attaching a receiver to the deployment line;

e. guiding the receiver down said deployment line from said vessel to said vehicle;

e. removing said receiver from said line; and

f. utilizing said vehicle to place said receiver on the seabed.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of providing a tether between said remotely operated vehicle and said vessel, wherein said deployment line is separate from said tether.

86. The method of claim 84, further comprising the steps of:

providing a tether between said remotely operated vehicle and said vessel, wherein said deployment line forms a part of said tether.

87. The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of attaching the receiver to the deployment line adjacent the vessel'"'"'s deck.

88. The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of attaching a second receiver to the deployment line and causing said second receiver to begin to move down said line prior to removal of said first receiver from said line.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein multiple receivers are guided down the line simultaneously, but spaced apart from one another.

90. A method for deployment of an OBS unit on the seabed comprising the steps of:

a. Providing an OBS unit with an external visual beacon thereon;

b. Depositing said OBS unit on the seabed;

c. Operating said OBS unit;

d. Determining if the OBS unit is deposited so as to satisfy predetermined parameters;

e. Determining if the OBS unit is operating so as to satisfy predetermined parameters; and

f. Initiating operation of said visual beacon in the event all predetermined parameters are satisfied.

91. The method of claim 90, further comprising the steps of

a. Providing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a camera thereon;

b. Utilizing said ROV to deposit said OBS unit on the seabed; and

c. Viewing the visual beacon of the OBS unit with the ROV camera following completion of the steps of determining.

92. A method for deployment of an OBS unit on the seabed comprising the steps of:

a. Providing an OBS unit with a wireless modem thereon;

b. Depositing said OBS unit on the seabed;

c. Operating said OBS unit;

d. Determining if the OBS unit is deposited so as to satisfy predetermined parameters;

e. Determining if the OBS unit is operating so as to satisfy predetermined parameters; and

f. Transmitting the status of said OBS unit via the said wireless modem.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising the steps of

a. Providing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a wireless modem;

b. Utilizing said ROV to deposit said OBS unit on the seabed; and

c. Transmitting the status of the OBS unit from the wireless modem of the OBS unit to the wireless modem of the ROV.

94. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers from the deck of a marine vessel into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of

a. providing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV);

b. providing a line for deployment and retrieval of said receivers, said line defined by a first end and a second end;

c. attaching a receiver to said line;

d. engaging said line with said ROV;

e. guiding said ROV to a position adjacent the seabed;

e. utilizing said ROV to draw said line through the body of water to the seabed; and

f. utilizing said ROV to place said receiver on the seabed.

95. The method of claim 94, further comprising the steps of

a. attaching a plurality of said receivers to said line at spaced apart intervals;

b. upon completion of the step of utilizing said ROV to place said receiver, moving said ROV to the next location on the seabed where it is desired to place a receiver;

c. utilizing said ROV to place the next sequential receiver attached to said line on the seabed.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising the steps of

a. paying out said line with attached receivers from said marine vessel;

and

b. utilizing the movement of said ROV along the seabed to draw said line to the desired layout position.

97. The method of claim 95, further comprising the steps of repeating moving the ROV and placing the next sequential receiver until all of the receivers attached to said line have been deployed.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising the steps of:

a. providing for a separate negatively buoyant anchor weight attached to the second end of said line;

b. positioning said anchor weight on the seabed at a distance removed from said last sequential receiver attached to said line;

c. providing a retrieval line long enough to reach from said marine vessel floating on the surface of the water to said anchor weight on the seabed;

wherein a first end of said retrieval line is attached to said anchor; and

d. attaching a floating buoy to a second end of the retrieval line.

99. The method of claim 98, further comprising the steps of:

a. locating the said buoy;

b. moving the marine vessel to said buoy, and

c. retrieving the deployed receivers by retrieving the buoy and anchor weight attached thereto.

100. The method of claim 98, further comprising the step of securing said floating buoy at a distance below the water surface.

101. The method of claim 100, further comprising the step of releasing secured buoy and allowing it to float to the water surface.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the steps of securing and releasing are accomplished utilizing an acoustical release device attached to said retrieval line.

103. The method of claim 102, further comprising the step of utilizing an acoustic signal propagated through the water to activate the acoustical release device and cause release of said buoy.

108. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a wireless modem attached thereto;

b. providing a seismic data receiver with a wireless modem attached thereto;

c. configuring said ROV modem to communicate with said seismic receiver modem;

d. deploying said seismic receiver on the seabed;

e. guiding said ROV to a position adjacent the deployed seismic receiver; and

e. establishing a wireless link between the ROV and the seismic receiver via said wireless modems.

109. The method of claim 108, further comprising the step of utilizing said ROV to initiate operation of said seismic receiver via the wireless link.

110. The method of claim 108, further comprising the step of utilizing said ROV to evaluate the operation of said seismic receiver via the wireless link.

111. An apparatus for deployment on a seabed of ocean bottom seismic data receivers secured to a deployment line at spaced intervals, said apparatus comprising

a. a remotely operated vehicle for traveling along the seabed;

and

b. a guide attached to said remotely operated vehicle, said guide comprised of opposing chute members for passage of said deployment line therebetween.

112. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein said chute members are fixed.

113. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein at least one of said chute members is movable and is capable of engaging said deployment line passing through said guide.

114. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein said guide is attached to said remotely operated vehicle so as to be adjacent the seabed when said vehicle travels along said seabed.

115. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein both of said chute members are movable.

116. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein each of said movable chute members is tractor track.

117. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein each of said movable chute members is a wheel.

118. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein said guide is a squirter tractor.

119. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein said guide further comprises a guide plate disposed between said chute members.

120. A method of deploying ocean bottom seismic data receivers from the deck of a marine vessel into a body of water having a surface and a seabed, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV);

b. providing a line for deployment and retrieval of said receivers, said line defined by a first end and a second end;

c. attaching a receiver to said line;

d. engaging said line with said ROV;

e. guiding said ROV to a position adjacent the seabed;

e. utilizing said line to deliver the receiver to said ROV; and

f. utilizing said ROV to place said receiver on the seabed.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein said receiver is rigidly attached to said line.

122. The method of claim 120, wherein said receiver is slidingly attached to said line so as to be movable relative to said line.