Abstract: An apparatus for collecting geophysical information may include a geophysical information station disposed along a seismic communication cable. A bypass circuit responsive to a command signal is in communication with a switching circuit that is operable to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal. An exemplary method for bypassing a geophysical information station in a geophysical information collection system includes sending a command signal to a bypass circuit and activating one or more switching circuits using the bypass circuit to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting geophysical information may include a geophysical information station disposed along a seismic communication cable. A bypass circuit responsive to a command signal is in communication with a switching circuit that is operable to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal. An exemplary method for bypassing a geophysical information station in a geophysical information collection system includes sending a command signal to a bypass circuit and activating one or more switching circuits using the bypass circuit to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal.

Abstract: To eliminate the risk of damaging an elongate flexible element and/or an accessory integrated therein, such as a seismic cable having sensor modules distributed rather densely along the cable and forming therewith sections that risk being damaged, on passing from a generally horizontal/vertical orientation to a generally vertical/horizontal one during subsea laying or retrieving of the cable, a new direction changing support structure is provided. The support structure comprises at least two rotary sheaves and a rotary support frame for carrying the sheaves, and said at least two sheaves are spaced from each other a distance that is greater than a length of the accessory to permit the element with the integral accessory to extend in a straight line between the two sheaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring hydro-carbon production from a hydrocarbon reservoir comprising the steps of performing a reservoir treatment process for stimulating hydrocarbon production including injection of a fluid into the reservoir, performing a seismic survey on the reservoir, obtaining a set of acoustic signals from said seismic survey and determine from the obtained acoustic signals the distribution of different contents within the reservoir, wherein the method comprises an intermediate step of adding a substance for increasing the acoustic contrast of the fluid prior to or in conjunction with injecting the fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: An electrical penetrator for subsea use has an annular cavity between the connector pin and the body of the penetrator that is filled with a dielectric oil which may act as a pressure compensator. In certain embodiments, a plurality of nested boot seals provide a watertight seal between an electrical cable and the body of the penetrator. An inner boot seal has a stepped inner diameter which engages a central, axial, connector pin and at least one wall of a cylindrical projection or an annular recess formed in the external face of the penetrator body. An outer boot seal has a stepped inner diameter which provides a watertight seal to an attached electrical cable, the connector pin and an outer segment of the inner boot seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting geophysical information may include a geophysical information station disposed along a seismic communication cable. A bypass circuit responsive to a command signal is in communication with a switching circuit that is operable to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal. An exemplary method for bypassing a geophysical information station in a geophysical information collection system includes sending a command signal to a bypass circuit and activating one or more switching circuits using the bypass circuit to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal.