Method of testing electric field recording of a marine electromagnetic sensor cable

• US 20100271032A1
• Filed: 04/28/2009
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Helwig, Stefan L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,134,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/365
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/083 Controlled source electromagnetic [CSEM] surveying
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/30 Assessment of water resources

Abstract

A method of testing the electric field recording of a marine electromagnetic sensor cable including electrodes is provided. The method includes causing current to flow between a pair of first electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable. The flow of current generates a voltage that is impressed on a pair of second electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable. A potential difference between the pair of second electrodes is measured. Accuracy of the electric field recording is inferred from the measured potential difference

Claims

1. A method of testing the electric field recording of a marine electromagnetic sensor cable including electrodes, the method comprising:

causing current to flow between a pair of first electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable, said flow of current generating a voltage that is impressed on a pair of second electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable;

measuring a potential difference between the pair of second electrodes; and

inferring accuracy of the electric field recording from the measured potential difference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing current to flow between the pair of first electrodes comprises causing a voltage drop along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein causing the voltage drop along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable comprises supplying power to the marine electromagnetic sensor cable.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the potential difference between the pair of second electrodes comprises measuring voltage signals at the pair of second electrodes.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising modulating the current flowing between the pair of first electrodes.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing current to flow between additional pairs of first electrodes.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising measuring potential difference between additional pairs of second electrodes in response to said current flow between the additional pairs of first electrodes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of first electrodes is arranged in close proximity to one of said pair of second electrodes.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising deploying the marine electromagnetic sensor cable into a body of water prior to causing current to flow between the pair of first electrodes.