Seismic signaling apparatus and method for enhancing signal repeatability

A seismic signaling apparatus, comprising:

• a support frame;
• an air-gun array operably mounted to the support frame such that a tapered, heavy centered, point source seismic signal is generated upon firing the air-gun array;
• and
• a global positioning system receiver coupled to the support frame, the global positioning system receiver operable to communicate with a global positioning system in order to determine the location of the seismic signaling apparatus.

A seismic signaling apparatus, comprising:

• a support frame;
• an air-gun array operably mounted to the support frame such that a tapered, heavy centered, point source seismic signal is generated upon firing the air-gun array, the air-gun array having air-guns in two parallel vertical planes and air-guns in two parallel horizontal planes;
• substantially horizontal shock absorbing members attached to respective pairs of adjacent air-guns in the two parallel vertical planes that are operable to minimize horizontal air-gun movement generated upon firing the air-gun array;
• and
• substantially vertical shock absorbing members attached to respective pairs of adjacent air-guns in the two parallel horizontal planes that are operable to minimize vertical air-gun movement generated upon firing the air-gun array.

A method for enhancing the signal repeatability of a seismic signaling apparatus comprising the steps of:

• deploying the seismic signaling apparatus in the water, the seismic signaling apparatus including an air-gun array operably mounted to the support frame;
• firing the air-guns in the air-gun array to producing a tapered, heavy centered, point source seismic signal;
• and
• absorbing a force between at least two of the air-guns in the air-gun array generated upon firing the air-gun array with a shock absorbing member attached to the at least two of the air-guns.