Autonomous data acquisition system and method
AssigneeBlue Ocean Seismic Services Limited
InventorsFabio Mancini, Ben Hollings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A submersible node and a method and system for using the node to acquire data, including seismic data is disclosed. The node incorporates a buoyancy system to provide propulsion for the node between respective landed locations by varying the buoyancy between positive and negative. A first acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate positioning of a node when landing and a second acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate a node transiting between respective target landed locations.
Claims23
A method of conducting a marine seismic survey comprising:
- autonomously landing a plurality of nodes on a seabed at respective first locations to form an array of nodes;
- when the plurality of nodes are landed on the seabed at their respective first locations, transmitting seismic energy from a seismic source vessel;
- using the plurality of nodes to acquire seismic data at the first locations;
- varying buoyancy of the plurality of nodes between a positive buoyancy and a negative buoyancy to maintain the node within a transit envelope below a surface of the water and the seabed to facilitate transit of the nodes along an oscillating path from their respective first locations to respective second landed seabed locations without the nodes surfacing;
- when the plurality of nodes are landed on the seabed at their respective second locations, transmitting seismic energy from the seismic source vessel;
- and
- using the plurality of nodes to acquire seismic data at the second locations.
An autonomous data acquisition node comprising:
- a buoyancy system enabling variation of the node buoyancy between positive buoyancy and negative buoyancy, the buoyancy system being operable as a buoyancy propulsion system enabling the node to transit between two seabed locations;
- a seismic sensor to detect seismic energy when the node is landed at a seabed location;
- a first transceiver apparatus for use with a first acoustic positioning system, the first acoustic positioning system operable between the node and a surface vessel to guide the node when landing at the seabed location;
- a second transceiver apparatus for use with a second acoustic positioning system, the second acoustic positioning system operable between the node and other nodes when transiting between seabed locations without the node surfacing;
- and
- a controller to control the buoyancy system to achieve a desired buoyancy, the controller configured to vary node buoyancy between a positive buoyancy and a negative buoyancy to maintain the node within a transit envelope below the water surface and above a seabed to facilitate the node traversing along an oscillating path from a first submarine location to a second submarine location.
Seismic survey apparatus for use on at least one surface vessel, the seismic apparatus comprising:
- a seismic source arranged to transmit seismic energy;
- a first transceiver apparatus for a first acoustic positioning system to communicate with a plurality of submersible autonomous nodes;
- a command control system arranged to provide centralised communication, control and monitoring of the plurality of submersible autonomous nodes;
- wherein the command control system is configured to:
- i. define a seismic survey schedule, the schedule defined such that the plurality of submersible autonomous nodes can transit within a transit envelope below the water surface and above a seabed along an oscillating path created by a buoyancy system, from a first submarine location to a second submarine location using a second acoustic positioning system;
- ii. communicate to each node the seismic survey schedule;
- and
- iii. provide navigation control via the first transceiver apparatus for the plurality of nodes during their final approach to their respective submarine locations, the submarine locations including initial node location and subsequent node locations following node repositioning.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.