SEISMIC STREAMER FORMED OF SECTIONS COMPRISING A MAIN SHEATH COVERED WITH AN EXTERNAL SHEATH FORMED USING A THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL LOADED WITH A BIOCIDE MATERIAL

• US 20120243370A1
• Filed: 06/07/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sercel (Cggveritas)
• Original Assignee: Sercel (Cggveritas)
• Inventors: VIGNAUX, Jean-Jacques
• Granted Patent: US 8,644,109 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 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3843 Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers equipment for marine deployment in general B63B

Abstract

System and method for providing an anti-fouling function to a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection. The method includes mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material; and forming an external sheath over a main sheath of the streamer to provide the anti-fouling function. The external sheath is formed from the external sheath material such that the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

Claims

1. A method for providing an anti-fouling function to a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection, the method comprising:

mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material; and

co-extruding an external sheath and a main sheath of the streamer such that the external sheath covers the main sheath and provides the anti-fouling function,

wherein the external sheath is formed from the external sheath material such that the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is permeable to the biocide material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocide material includes copper.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the external sheath includes between 75% and 85% copper.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocide material includes powdered silver.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the external sheath is thinner than the main sheath.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein no solvent is used for the external sheath.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the external sheath and the main sheath include the same thermoplastic material.

9. A method for providing an anti-fouling external sheath over a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection, the method comprising:

mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material; and

co-extruding the external sheath and a main sheath over a foam of the streamer such that the external sheath covers the main sheath and provides an anti-fouling function, wherein

the external sheath is formed from the external sheath material, and

cables and a tubular element are provided inside the foam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

11. A method for using an anti-fouling streamer under water for seismic survey data collection, the method comprising:

deploying the streamer under water, wherein at least a section of the streamer has an external sheath co-extruded with a main sheath over a foam of the streamer, and the external sheath is formed by mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material; and

recording seismic data with the streamer,

wherein the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

12. A method for providing an anti-fouling function to a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection, the method comprising:

mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material;

extruding a main sheath over a foam of the streamer;

applying a binder on the main sheath; and

extruding an external sheath over the main sheath such that the external sheath provides the anti-fouling function,

wherein the external sheath is formed from the external sheath material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the biocide material includes copper.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the external sheath includes between 75% and 85% copper.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the biocide material includes powdered silver.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the external sheath is thinner than the main sheath.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein no solvent is used for the external sheath.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the external sheath and the main sheath include different thermoplastic materials.

20. A method for towing an anti-fouling streamer under water for seismic survey data collection, the method comprising:

deploying under water the streamer, wherein the streamer has at least a section that has an external sheath binded with a binder to a main sheath, wherein the external sheath includes a thermoplastic material mixed with a biocide material; and

towing the streamer under water while recording seismic data,

wherein the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.