Forward looking systems and methods for positioning marine seismic equipment

摘要

Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that 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).

主权项

1. A method comprising:
measuring at least a horizontal component of a current velocity vector at a location using an acoustic Doppler current meter mounted on a vessel, wherein the location is generally ahead of the vessel and at a depth between the water's surface and the deeper of the acoustic Doppler current meter and the vessel's draft, and wherein the acoustic Doppler current meter comprises an acoustic transducer able to move relative to the vessel; and using the measured horizontal component of the current velocity vector to automatically control the position of a seismic spread element.