HEAD-FLOAT AND METHOD

• US 20140153360A1
• Filed: 10/25/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cgg Services Sa (CGG)
• Original Assignee: Cgg Services Sa (CGG)
• Inventors: TONCHIA, Helene
• Application Number:
  US14/063,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20140153360A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/19
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/66 Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/04 Fixations or other anchoring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3835 measuring position, e.g. by GPS or acoustically
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3843 Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers equipment for marine deployment in general B63B

Abstract

Method and streamer/source head-float system for connecting to a head portion of a streamer or to a lead-in or providing information about a source. The system includes a head-buoy configured to float in water and connected through a cable to the head portion of the streamer or to the lead-in; a head-float configured to float in water; a connector connecting the head-float to the head-buoy; and positioning equipment attached to the head-float and configured to determine a position of the streamer or the source.

Claims

1. A streamer head-float system connected to a head portion of a streamer or to a lead-in, the system comprising:

a head-buoy configured to float in water and connected through a cable to the head portion of the streamer or to the lead-in;

a head-float configured to float in water;

a connector connecting the head-float to the head-buoy; and

positioning equipment on the head-float and configured to determine a position of the streamer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein both the head-buoy and the head-float are configured to float at the water surface and the connector is a detachable connectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes first and second connecting parts configured to disconnect from each other to separate the head-buoy from the head-float.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the head-buoy further comprises:

an actuator device configured to actuate the cable to adjust the given depth of the streamer.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the head-buoy further comprises:

a battery connected to the actuator device and configured to actuate the actuator device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning equipment comprises:

an acoustic system configured to determine a position of the streamer relative to adjacent streamers; and

/or

a global positioning system configured to determine an absolute position of the streamer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the head-float further comprises:

a power supply configured to generate energy; and

a data transmission device configured to exchange data with a vessel that tows the streamer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the power supply is one of a battery, a solar panel, a fuel cell, a wave energy converter, or a hydro-generator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the head-float further comprises:

a hydro-generator configured to generate energy by rotating a propeller; and

a protection grid for protecting the propeller from debris and/or marine animals.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the protection grid is configured to move relative to a body of the head-float to clean the protection grid.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a controller for sensing a power produced by the hydro-generator and for controlling a movement of the protection grid based on the sensed power.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the head-float is not directly attached to the streamer or the lead-in and the head-buoy is free of any positioning equipment.

13. A head-float associated with a head portion of a streamer or a lead-in towed underwater, the head-float comprising:

a body configured to float in water;

a connector connecting the head-float to a head-buoy; and

positioning equipment attached to the head-float and configured to determine a position of the streamer or a position of a source,

wherein the head-float does not provide floatation to the streamer.

14. The head-float of claim 13, wherein the head-buoy is free of any positioning equipment and the head-buoy is configured to connect through a cable to the head portion of the streamer or to the lead-in.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the connector includes first and second connecting parts configured to disconnect from each other to separate the head-buoy from the head-float.

16. The head-float of claim 13, wherein the positioning equipment comprises:

an acoustic system configured to determine a position of the streamer relative to adjacent streamers; and

/or

a global positioning system configured to determine an absolute position of the streamer.

17. The head-float of claim 16, further comprising:

a power supply configured to generate energy; and

a data transmission device configured to exchange data with a vessel that tows the streamer.

18. A method for performing a seismic survey, the method comprising:

towing a streamer;

connecting a head-buoy to a head portion of the streamer or to a lead-in;

towing with the head-buoy a head-float configured to float in water; and

determining a position of the streamer with positioning equipment attached to the head-float.

19. A method for replacing a head-float while being deployed on the water for a marine seismic survey, the method comprising:

towing a streamer;

connecting a head buoy to a head portion of the streamer or to a lead-in;

towing with the head buoy the head-float, wherein the head-float is configured to float in water; and

detaching the head-float from the head buoy for maintenance.

20. A head-float for providing position information associated with a seismic source towed underwater, the head-float comprising:

a body configured to float in water;

a connector connecting the head-float to a float of the seismic source; and

positioning equipment attached to the head-float and configured to determine a position of the seismic source or a seismic streamer.