# US 10,120,087 B2 · Method and system with low-frequency seismic source

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- Number: US 10,120,087 B2
- Document ID: US10120087B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/155,188
- Filed: 2016-05-16
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-21
- Assignees: Cgg Services SAS
- Applicants: Cgg Services SA
- Inventors: Herve Richer De Forges; Karine Desrues; Risto Siliqi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120087B2

## CPC

- G01V 1/006: {generating single signals by using more than one generator, e.g. beam steering or focusing arrays (G01V1/13, G01V1/3861 take precedence)}
- G01V 1/3808: {Seismic data acquisition, e.g. survey design}
- G01V 1/3843: {Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers (equipment for marine deployment in general B63B)}
- G01V 1/3852: {to the seabed}
- G01V 1/047: Arrangements for coupling the generator to the ground
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)

## Abstract

A marine source element is configured to generate seismic waves. The source element includes a body and a source actuator attached to the body and configured to generate the seismic waves. The body is autonomous from a vessel towing streamers along a pre-plot line associated with a seismic survey.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A marine seismic acquisition system for collecting seismic data, the system comprising:
plural source elements deployed at predetermined locations and configured to generate seismic waves with frequencies between 0.5 and 5 Hz;
a vessel that advances along a pre-plot line; and
plural streamers attached to the vessel and including seismic sensors for collecting the seismic data generated by detecting the seismic waves,
wherein the source elements are autonomous from the vessel, not towed while seismic data is collected.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plural source elements are implemented as buoys.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plural source elements drift with underwater currents.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a source element comprises:
a body that floats at the water surface and houses a communication system enabling to establish a current position of the seismic source;
a source actuator located underwater, that generates the seismic waves; and
a tether that connects the body to the source actuator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the body is a floating platform.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the body is a barge.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the body is a support vessel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the source actuator is an air gun.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the source actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the source actuator is a siren.

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, further comprising:
a propulsion mechanism for maintaining a given position of the source element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a propulsion mechanism for driving the source element to a desired position.

### Claim 13

A marine seismic acquisition system for collecting seismic data, the system comprising:
a seismic source deployed at a predetermined location and configured to generate seismic waves with frequencies between 0.5 and 5 Hz;
a vessel that advances along a pre-plot line; and
plural streamers attached to the vessel and including seismic sensors for collecting the seismic data generated by detecting the seismic waves,
wherein the seismic source is not towed along the pre-plot line.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the vessel has another seismic source that is towed by the vessel.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the seismic source comprises:
a body that floats at the water surface and houses a communication system enabling to establish a current position of the seismic source;
a source actuator located underwater, that generates the seismic waves; and
a tether that connects the body to the source actuator.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the body is a floating platform.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the body is a barge.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the body is a support vessel.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the seismic source includes an air gun.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the seismic source includes an electro-mechanical actuator.