Seismic Acquisition in Marine Environments Using Survey Paths Following a Series of Linked Deviated Paths and Methods of Use

摘要

Methods and systems are provided for acquiring seismic data in a marine environment using survey paths following a series of linked curved paths so as to obtain multi-azimuthal data over a sub-surface target. Marine vessels towing multiple seismic streamers may be configured to travel substantially along a series of linked deviated paths or a series of linked curved paths. Sources may be excited to introduce acoustic wave energy in the marine environment and into the subsea region. The acoustic wave energy then reflects and refracts from the subsea region to form reflected and refracted wave energy, which is detected by seismic receivers spaced along the streamers. The detected seismic data is then interpreted to reveal seismic information representative of the surveyed subsea region. Other enhancements include configuring the streamers in a flared configuration, where the lateral spacing increases rearwardly over the length of the seismic streamers.

主权项

1. A method for acquiring seismic data for a subsea region of the earth, comprising:
providing first and second marine vessels each with a plurality of seismic streamers, wherein the plurality of seismic streamers are coupled to the marine vessels for towing and each seismic streamer comprises a plurality of marine seismic receivers spaced apart along the length of each seismic streamer; providing a marine seismic source; introducing the marine seismic source into a marine environment in range of the marine seismic receivers; towing the seismic streamers through the marine environment such that the first marine vessel and the seismic streamers coupled thereto travel substantially along a first series of linked deviated paths and the second marine vessel and the seismic streamers coupled thereto travel substantially along a second series of linked deviated paths inverted with respect to the first series of linked deviated paths; exciting the marine seismic source within range of both the first and second marine vessels while towing the seismic streamers so as to cause acoustic wave energy to travel through the marine environment into the subsea region of the earth; allowing the acoustic wave energy to reflect and refract from the subsea region so as to form reflected and refracted wave energy; and detecting the reflected and refracted wave energy with the marine seismic receivers of both the first and second marine vessels surveying in cooperation with one another so as to form detected seismic data.