Anti-biofouling seismic streamer casing and method of manufacture

• US 7,835,222 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WesternGeco LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Mid-Mountain Materials, Inc., Severn Marine Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Lobe, Henry J., Knapp, John Russell, Moffat, Gary, Das, Amulya Kumar, Tolman, Thomas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith; Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): BREIER, KRYSTINE E
• Application Number:
  US11/464,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20070201307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 367/15, 367/20, 174/101.5
• US Class Current: 367/20
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/1675 Polyorganosiloxane-containing compositions
• 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 seismic streamer casing (100,100′) is provided that is formed by a flexible tubing (110) coated with a layer of a two-part heat cured silicone elastomer (120). The seismic streamer casing (100, 100′) is formed by a method that includes steps of providing a flexible tubing (200) and pre-treating the outer surface of the tubing (210). Two parts of a two-part silicone elastomer are then mixed together (220). The method also includes coating the mixed two-part silicone elastomer on the flexible tubing (230), and heating the flexible tubing to cure the coating (240).

Claims

1. A biofouling resistant seismic streamer assembly, comprising:

a flexible tubing seismic streamer casing having an external surface coated with a layer of a silicone elastomer such that the silicone elastomer remains connected to the seismic streamer casing to provide biofouling resistance during prolonged use of the seismic streamer assembly as a seismic streamer;

a plurality of acoustic signal receiving sensors within the seismic streamer casing; and

a buoyancy material within the seismic streamer casing;

wherein said biofouling resistant flexible tubing is formed by a process comprising the steps of;

a. providing a flexible tubing;

b. optionally pressurizing said flexible tubing;

c. treating the surface of the flexible tubing to be coated;

d. mixing the silicone elastomer;

e. coating said mixed silicone elastomer on said flexible tubing; and

,

f. heat curing said silicone elastomer coated on said flexible tubing.

2. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the seismic streamer casing is formed of polyurethane.

5. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the external surface comprises a pre-treated substrate to which the silicone elastomer is cured.

6. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the external surface comprises a plasma-treated substrate to which the silicone elastomer is cured.

7. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises sprayed-on silicone elastomer.

8. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises brushed-on silicone elastomer.

9. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises dip-coated silicone elastomer.

10. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises a flow-coated silicone elastomer.

11. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tiecoat between the external surface and the silicone elastomer.

12. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 11, wherein the tiecoat comprises at least one material selected from the group of a urethane based adhesive composition and a polyurethane based adhesive composition.

13. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer is applied to the external surface in a continuous process comprising coating a portion of the flexible tubing with the silicone elastomer and heating the coated portion of the flexible tubing while another portion thereof is being coated with the silicone elastomer.

3. A biofouling resistant seismic streamer assembly, comprising:

a flexible tubing seismic streamer casing having an external surface coated with a layer of a silicone elastomer such that the silicone elastomer remains connected to the seismic streamer casing to provide biofouling resistance during prolonged use of the seismic streamer assembly as a seismic streamer; and

a plurality of acoustic signal receiving sensors within the seismic streamer casing wherein said biofouling resistant flexible tubing is formed by a process comprising the steps of;

a. providing a flexible tubing;

b. optionally pressurizing said flexible tubing;

c. treating the surface of the flexible tubing to be coated;

d. mixing the silicone elastomer;

e. coating said mixed silicone elastomer on said flexible tubing; and

,

f. heat curing said silicone elastomer coated on said flexible tubing.

4. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the seismic streamer casing is formed of polyurethane.

14. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the external surface comprises a pre-treated substrate to which the silicone elastomer is cured.

15. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the external surface comprises a plasma-treated substrate to which the silicone elastomer is cured.

16. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the silicone elastomer is cured directly to the external surface.

17. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the silicone elastoiner comprises a sprayed-on silicone elastomer.

18. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises a brushed-on silicone elastomer.

19. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises a dip-coated silicone elastomer.

20. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, wherein the silicone elastomer comprises a flow-coated silicone elastomer.

21. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 3, further comprising a tiecoat between the external surface and the silicone elastomer.

22. The seismic streamer assembly of claim 21, wherein the tiecoat comprises at least one material selected from the group of a urethane based adhesive composition and a polyurethane based adhesive composition.