Apparatus, systems and methods for seabed data acquisition

• US 7,796,466 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
• Original Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
• Inventors: Welker, Kenneth E., Combee, Leendert, Frivik, Svein Arne, Goujon, Nicolas
• Primary Examiner(s): KEITH, JACK W
• Application Number:
  US11/638,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20080144442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 367/15, 367/19, 367/20, 367/134
• US Class Current: 367/15
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2200/12 Clock synchronization-related issues
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2210/1427 Sea bed
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

Seabed sensor units, systems including same, and methods for acquiring seabed data are described, one seabed sensor unit comprising a base, the base containing at least one sensor able to detect a seismic signal, electronics comprising a clock and one or more electronic components enabling the sensor to communicate seismic data to one or more memory modules, and a local autonomous power source. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A seabed sensor unit comprising a base, the base supporting:

at least one sensor able to detect signal data selected from seismic signal data, EM signal data, and both types of signal data;

an electronics unit comprising one or more electronic components enabling the signal data to be communicated to one or more memory modules in the sensor unit;

an autonomous power source for powering the electronics unit;

a local data transfer unit allowing communication of at least some of the signal data from the one or more memory modules to a device for retrieving data from the one or more memory modules selected from an underwater hub, an underwater vehicle, and both, the local data transfer unit being adapted to perform a seismic data transfer underwater with the device when the device is temporarily docked to the unit and is electronically connected to the power source and the one or more memory modules; and

a clock for synchronizing operation of the seabed sensor unit.

2. The seabed sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more hydrophones and one or more geophones or accelerometers.

3. The seabed sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the local autonomous power source is selected from one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, and one or more of each.

4. The seabed sensor unit of claim 1 comprising one or more components fulfilling one or more of the following functions:

autonomous power generation on or near the seabed; and

recognition.

5. The seabed sensor unit of claim 4 wherein the autonomous power generation is performed by a component selected from a salt-water battery, a sea current power conversion module, vibration from either acoustics or ambient natural vibrations, and combination thereof electronically connected to the power source.

6. The seabed sensor unit of claim 4 wherein the recognition function is performed by a component selected from a light reflector, a distinctly shaped component attached to the base, and a component electronically connected to the power source comprising a homing component on or in the sensor unit, the homing component generating a homing signal and forming part of a navigation system for an underwater vehicle.

7. The seabed sensor unit of claim 4 wherein the communication function is performed by one or more communications components electronically connected to the power source.

8. The seabed sensor unit of claim 4 wherein one component, electronically connected to the power source, fulfills two or more of the functions.

9. The seabed sensor unit of claim 8 wherein the one component comprises communication network components which are used for both of positioning (homing in) of an underwater vehicle, as well as for broadcasting time tagged messages.

10. The seabed sensor unit of claim 9 wherein the communication network transmits time tagged information selected from status information, quality control (QC) information, and seismic data to a hub having a physical electronic connection to a surface vessel.

11. A seabed sensor unit comprising a base, the base supporting:

at least one sensor able to detect signal data selected from seismic signal data, EM signal data, and both types of signal data;

an electronics unit comprising one or more electronic components enabling the signal data to be communicated to memory modules in the sensor unit, the memory modules releasable from the sensor unit individually via a remote signal;

an autonomous power source for powering the electronics unit;

a receiver unit adapted to selectively trigger release of less than all of the memory modules as desired; and

a clock for synchronizing operation of the seabed sensor unit.

12. A system comprising:

one or more seabed sensor units stationed on a seabed floor, one or more of the sensor units comprising at least one sensor able to detect signal data selected from seismic signal data, EM signal data, and both types of signal data;

an electronics unit comprising one or more electronic components enabling the signal data to be communicated to one or more memory modules in the sensor unit;

an autonomous power source for powering the electronics unit;

a local data transfer unit and a clock for synchronizing operation of the seabed sensor unit; and

a hub stationed on the seabed floor to communicate with the local data transfer unit to retrieve seismic data from the one or more memory modules.

13. The system of claim 12 comprising two or more sensor units forming an acoustic network therebetween, the hub transmitting signals between the sensor units.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the signals are selected from information, commands, data, and combinations thereof.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the hub transmits signals between the acoustic network and a vessel on a sea surface.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the one more sensor units comprises one or more components fulfilling one or more of the following functions:

autonomous power generation on or near the seabed; and

recognition.

17. A method comprising:

a) initiating an acoustic signal through a water column and into a seabed from a seismic source;

b) measuring reflected seismic signals at one or more seabed seismic sensor units positioned at original locations on the seabed, at least one of the sensor units comprising at least one sensor able to detect seismic signal data;

an electronics unit comprising one or more electronic components enabling the seismic signal data to be communicated to one or more memory modules;

an autonomous power source for powering the electronics unit;

a local data transfer unit allowing communication of at least some of the signal data from the one or more memory modules to a hub; and

a clock for synchronizing operation of the seabed sensor unit;

c) retrieving the seismic signal data from one or more of the seabed seismic sensor units while leaving the sensor units intact on the seabed in their original locations, the retrieving comprising using one of the seabed seismic sensor units as the hub and transmitting the data through a wire connection to a buoy, which in turn transmits the data to a surface vessel; and

d) optionally, repeating steps (a) through (c).

18. The method of claim 17 comprising repeating steps a) through c) and performing time-lapse seismic data acquisition.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein at least some of the one or more sensor units comprises one or more components fulfilling one or more of the following functions:

generating power autonomously on or near the seabed; and

recognizing an underwater vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising the one or more sensor units generating power autonomously using a component selected from a salt-water battery, a sea current power conversion module, a unit sensing vibration from either acoustics or ambient natural vibrations, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 20 comprising repeating steps a) through c) and performing time-lapse seismic data acquisition.

22. The method of claim 19 comprising repeating steps a) through c) and performing time-lapse seismic data acquisition.

23. The method of claim 17 including measuring EM signals at one or more seabed EM sensor units positioned at original locations on the seabed, at least one of the EM sensor units comprising at least one sensor able to detect EM signal data;

an electronics unit comprising one or more electronic components enabling the EM signal data to be communicated to one or more memory modules;

an autonomous power source for powering the electronics unit;

a local data transfer unit allowing communication of at least some of the signal data from the one or more memory modules to a device for retrieving seismic data from the memory modules selected from a hub, an underwater vehicle, or both; and

a clock for synchronizing operation of the seabed sensor unit.