Self-burying autonomous underwater vehicle and method for marine seismic surveys

A marine seismic survey system for generating seismic waves and recording seismic signals, the system comprising:

• a source vessel towing a seismic source for generating the seismic waves;
• and
• plural autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) for recording the seismic signals,
• wherein an AUV includes,
• a body having a base and sides,
• a propulsion system for guiding the AUV to a target on the ocean bottom,
• a pump-jet connected to an inlet and plural base outlets, wherein the plural base outlets are distributed on the base,
• a processor connected to the pump-jet and configured to activate the pump-jet when the base in on the ocean bottom, and
• a seismic sensor configured to record seismic signals while the AUV is buried in the ocean bottom,
• wherein the pump-jet has a first speed so that water jets expelled at the plural base outlets fluidize the ocean bottom underneath the base and buries the AUV.

A method for partially burying an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey, the method comprising:

• launching the AUV in water, the AUV having a body having a base and sides;
• guiding the AUV with a propulsion system to a target on the ocean bottom;
• activating a pump-jet connected to an inlet and plural base outlets, wherein the plural base outlets are distributed on the base, to bury the AUV when water jets expelled at the plural base outlets fluidize the ocean bottom underneath the base;
• and
• recording with a seismic sensor the seismic signals while the AUV is buried in the ocean bottom.