Marine seismic data acquisition using designed non-uniform streamer spacing

A method of acquiring seismic data in a marine environment comprising the steps of:

• a. towing a system of at least four steerable streamers that are vertically and/or laterally spaced from one another, through a body of water, wherein each of the steerable streamers has a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the leading end of each streamer is spaced from the leading ends of other streamers in the system and wherein each streamer comprises a series marine seismic receivers that may be uniformly or irregularly spaced down each streamer;
• b. simultaneously with step (a), configuring by use of tow cables, paravanes, doors or similar hardware attached to the system of streamers so as to tow and steer the leading end of the each streamer and/or steering the system of seismic streamers into a designed, irregular spacing configuration where the spacing between leading ends of adjacent streamers is not equal and at least one spacing is greater than five percent larger than another lateral spacing within the system and wherein the width of the system at the trailing ends of the streamers is at least five percent wider than the width of the system at the leading ends;
• and
• c. simultaneously with steps (a) and (b), emitting seismic energy and recording reflected and/or refracted seismic data with the seismic receivers.