SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MARINE ANTI-FOULING

• US 20130039153A1
• Filed: 07/19/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: WesternGeco LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: TUSTIN, GARY JOHN, HARTSHORNE, ROBERT SETH
• Application Number:
  US13/553,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20130039153A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/153
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/022 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/09 Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 59/04 Preventing hull fouling anti-fouling paints C09D5/16
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/83 Chemically modified polymers
• 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

An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer is described, the anti-biofouling casing including a polymer system having a hydrophobically-modified base polymer, the hydrophobically-modified base polymer including a base polymer having a backbone and a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to the backbone of the base polymer. The polymer system including between about 0.1% and 10% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight. The anti-fouling casing including a hydrophobic surface that serves to prevent biofouling of the surface.

Claims

1. An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer, comprising:

a tubular casing body having a longitudinal length and a diameter, the tubular casing body being configured to cover an exterior of a streamer body so as to reduce biofouling of the streamer body, the tubular casing comprising;

a polymer system comprising a hydrophobically-modified base polymer, the hydrophobically-modified base polymer comprising;

a base polymer having a backbone; and

a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to the backbone of the base polymer, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.1% and 10% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight.

2. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender comprises a hydrophobic moiety.

3. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 2, wherein the hydrophobic moiety comprises at least one of a fluorine derivative, a silicon derivative and a polyethylene glycol derivative.

4. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 4% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight.

5. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 2% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight.

6. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the base polymer comprises one of polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, urethane, polyvinylchloride and polyethylene.

7. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, further comprising a hydrophobic polymer filler.

8. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic polymer filler is homogeneously dispersed throughout the anti-biofouling casing.

9. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobically-modified base polymer is produced by reacting a pre-polymer with the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender.

10. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the casing is removed.

11. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 10, further comprising a streamer body comprising one or more sensors, a strength member, and a filler material, wherein the anti-biofouling casing covers an exterior of the streamer body.

12. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 10, further comprising one or more members extending from the casing, the one or more members including the hydrophobically-modified base polymer.

13. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 12, wherein the one or more members are composed of the hydrophobically-modified base polymer or include a skin including the hydrophobically-modified base polymer.

14. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 1, wherein the casing is transparent such that at least a portion of the interior of the casing is visible.

15. An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer, comprising:

a tubular casing body configured to cover an exterior of a streamer body so as to reduce biofouling of the streamer body, the tubular casing comprising;

a polymer system including;

a base polymer; and

a hydrophobic polymer filler, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.1% and 10% of the hydrophobic polymer filler by weight.

16. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 15, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 4% of the hydrophobic polymer filler by weight.

17. The anti-biofouling casing of claim 15, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 2% of the hydrophobic polymer filler by weight.

18. A method of manufacturing an anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer, comprising:

providing a polymer system comprising a hydrophobically-modified base polymer, the hydrophobically-modified base polymer including;

a base polymer having a backbone; and

a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to the backbone of the base polymer, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.1% and 10% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight; and

removing an outer surface of at least a portion of the casing.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer surface removed is between about 10 and about 40 microns.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer surface removed is between about 20 and about 30 microns.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer surface is removed while the casing is in a molten or softened state.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer surface of the casing is removed around the entire periphery of the casing.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising extruding the casing onto the seismic streamer prior to removing the outer surface of the casing.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

extruding the casing as a tube; and

inserting the seismic streamer into the extruded tube prior to removing the outer surface of the casing.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 4% of the hydrophobic polymer filler by weight.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.5% and 2% of the hydrophobic polymer filler by weight.

27. A method of manufacturing an anti-fouling seismic streamer, comprising:

extruding a polymer system onto a seismic streamer body so as to cover an exterior of the streamer body to reduce biofouling of the streamer body, wherein the polymer system comprises;

a hydrophobically-modified base polymer including;

a base polymer; and

a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to a backbone of the base polymer, wherein the polymer system comprises between about 0.1% and 10% of the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender by weight.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of extruding the polymer system onto the seismic streamer body comprises extruding the polymer system into a tube and inserting the seismic streamer body into the extruded tube.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender comprises at least one of a fluorine derivatized chain extender, a silicone derivatized chain extender, or a glycol derivatized chain extender.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

reacting a polyol with diisocyanate to form a diisocyanate terminated intermediate oligomer; and

reacting the intermediate oligomer with a chain extender comprising a hydrophobic moiety.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the chain extender comprises at least one of a low molecular weight diol and low molecular weight diamine.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising removing between about 10 and about 40 microns of an outer surface of at least a portion of the polymer system.