REDUCED-DRAG TOWING OF GEOPHYSICAL EQUIPMENT

摘要

Techniques are disclosed relating to reducing drag on cables towed behind a vessel in a body of water. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a signal source coupled to a survey vessel via a source cable, and the source cable includes a plurality of floats along its length. The floats may in some embodiments allow the source cable to be lifted partially, substantially, or entirely above the surface of the water. Lifting the cable above the surface of the water may in turn decrease the amount of hydrodynamic drag on the cable, reducing the force necessary (e.g., from lateral deflectors on the cable or at the signal source) to tow the source and/or the force necessary to attain a desired lateral position for the signal source. The disclosed techniques may in some embodiments be used to tow such sources at relatively wide lateral separations.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a survey source cable connectable to a survey vessel and towable therebehind in a body of water, wherein the survey source cable is further connectable to a survey source; and a plurality of floats arranged along the survey source cable, wherein the floats include a corresponding plurality of lateral deflectors operable to impart lateral force to the survey source cable;wherein the plurality of floats are operable to lift the survey source cable at least partially out of the body of water.