Integrated marine seismic source and method

A system for generating acoustic source seismic energy for exploring geologic formations underlying water, comprising:

• at least two streamers;
• an electrical conductor within each streamer;
• a plurality of slotted cylinders positioned at selected positions along each streamer;
• one or more piezoelectric elements each engaged with a slotted cylinder for receiving electric power from an electrical conductor and for selectively moving the corresponding slotted cylinder to generate acoustic source energy in the water;
• and
• a controller engaged with said piezoelectric elements for controlling movement of said slotted cylinders to generate the acoustic source energy.

A method for generating acoustic source seismic energy in water, comprising the steps of:

• deploying at least two streamers in the water, wherein each streamer includes an electrical conductor and a plurality of electrically activatable acoustic energy sources integrated within each streamer at selected positions;
• providing electricity to each acoustic energy source through an electrical conductor;
• and
• operating said controller to selectively activate at least one acoustic energy source to generate acoustic source energy in the water, wherein the acoust energy sources each comprise a slotted cylinder activated by one or more piezoelectric elements.