System and method for gathering marine geophysical data

• US 20110255369A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PGS Geophysical As (PGS ASA)
• Original Assignee: PGS Geophysical As (PGS ASA)
• Inventors: Stenzel, Andre, Harrick, Bruce William
• Granted Patent: US 8,514,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/20
• 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 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A system comprises marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and tightly fitting covers, attached to the marine seismic equipment, to fill-in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment, for gathering marine geophysical data. A method comprises marine geophysical equipment having tightly fitting covers, to fill-in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment, attached thereto, for gathering marine geophysical data.

Claims

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

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

tightly fitting covers, attached to the marine geophysical equipment, with projections to fill in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment.

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

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

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

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the covers reduce marine growth on the marine geophysical equipment.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the covers reduce drag on the marine geophysical equipment.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the covers comprise shallow covers over streamer connections on the marine geophysical equipment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the covers comprise shallow covers over ballast mounting blocks on the marine geophysical equipment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the covers comprise extensions of ballast weight blocks on the marine geophysical equipment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the covers have a hydro-dynamic shape.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the covers further comprise tapered end portions.

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

towing marine geophysical equipment having tightly fitting coverings, with projections to fill in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment, attached thereto.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises towed marine streamers.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine seismic equipment.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the marine geophysical equipment comprises marine electromagnetic equipment.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the covers reduce marine growth on the marine geophysical equipment.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the covers reduce drag on the marine geophysical equipment.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the covers comprise shallow covers over streamer connections on the marine geophysical equipment.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the covers comprise extensions of ballast weight blocks on the marine geophysical equipment.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the covers comprise shallow covers over ballast mounting blocks on the marine geophysical equipment.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the covers have an hydro-dynamic shape.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the covers further comprise tapered end portions.