System and method for towed marine geophysical equipment

• US 20100278011A1
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PGS Geophysical As (PGS ASA)
• Original Assignee: PGS Geophysical As (PGS ASA)
• Inventors: Harrick, Bruce William
• Application Number:
  US12/798,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20100278011A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/20
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 17/02 Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/201 Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers integrated optoseismic systems G01V1/226; line connectors in general H01R, transducer mountings in general G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence

Abstract

A system comprises towed marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached to the marine geophysical equipment. A method comprises towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached thereto.

Claims

1. A system for gathering marine geophysical data, comprising:

marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and

a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached to the marine geophysical equipment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises towed marine seismic streamers.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the marine geophysical equipment further comprises additional equipment attached to the marine seismic streamers.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine seismic sources.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine electromagnetic receivers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine electromagnetic sources.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface covering comprises a modification of a surface of the towed geophysical equipment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface covering comprises a coating applied to a surface of the towed geophysical equipment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface covering protects the geophysical equipment from bio-foaling.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface covering reduces drag on the geophysical equipment.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface covering comprises surface elements in a pattern providing the textural attribute of an undulating surface texture similar to uneven texture of shark skin.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pattern of surface elements replicates the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the surface elements replicate the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the surface elements further comprise parallel ridges and grooves.

15. A system for gathering marine geophysical data, comprising:

marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and

a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute that reduces bio-fouling, attached to the marine geophysical equipment.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the surface covering comprises surface elements in a pattern providing the textural attribute of an undulating surface texture.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the pattern of surface elements replicates the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the surface elements replicate the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the surface elements further comprise parallel ridges and grooves.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine electromagnetic sources.

20. A method for gathering marine geophysical data, comprising:

towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached thereto.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises towed marine seismic streamers.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the marine geophysical equipment further comprises additional equipment attached to the marine seismic streamers.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine seismic sources.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine electromagnetic receivers.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the surface covering comprises a modification of a surface of the towed geophysical equipment.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the surface covering comprises a coating applied to a surface of the towed geophysical equipment.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the surface covering protects the geophysical equipment from bio-foaling.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the surface covering reduces drag on the geophysical equipment.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the surface covering comprises surface elements in a pattern providing an undulating surface texture similar to uneven texture of shark skin.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the pattern of surface elements replicates the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the surface elements replicate the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the surface elements further comprise parallel ridges and grooves.

34. A method for gathering marine geophysical data, comprising:

towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute that reduces bio-fouling, attached thereto.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the surface covering comprises surface elements in a pattern providing the textural attribute of an undulating surface texture.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pattern of surface elements replicates the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the surface elements replicate the dimensions of scales on shark skin.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the surface elements further comprise parallel ridges and grooves.