Gas seep detection
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsRobert L. Kleinberg, Neil W. Bostrom, Douglas D. Griffin, Peter G. Brewer
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Abstract
A method of detecting a marine gas seep that includes: deploying a local probe on or near the seafloor; producing bubbles in water near or within the local probe; detecting the bubbles; producing data indicating the relative concentration of dissolved gas in the water; and associating elevated dissolved gas concentrations with the presence of a nearby marine gas seep. Another aspect of the invention involves an apparatus configured to carry out the inventive method. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize an ultrasonic transducer to both produce bubbles and detect them.
Claims22
A method of detecting a marine gas seep, comprising:
- deploying a local probe on or near the seafloor;
- producing bubbles in water using said local probe;
- detecting said bubbles;
- and
- producing data indicating the relative concentration of dissolved gas in said water.
An apparatus for detecting a marine gas seep, comprising:
- a local probe having means for producing bubbles in water adjacent to or within said local probe;
- means for detecting said bubbles;
- means for deploying said local probe on or near the seafloor;
- and
- means for producing data indicating the relative concentration of dissolved gas in said water.
An apparatus for detecting a marine gas seep, comprising:
- a transducer;
- control and acquisition circuitry, coupled to said transducer, for actuating said transducer and detecting bubbles produced by said transducer;
- and
- means for deploying said transducer on or near the seafloor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.