Abstract: Method for managing shots in a multi-vessel seismic system, including for each slave shooter vessel: a) computing first theoretical shot times, based on a speed a scheduler shooter vessel and shot points associated to the scheduler shooter vessel, associated next shots of the scheduler shooter vessel; b) computing, based on a speed of the slave shooter vessel and the shot points, second theoretical shot times associated to the next shots; c) computing, based on the first theoretical shot times, interpolated virtual shot times; d) computing, based on the first theoretical shot times, the interpolated virtual shot times and a minimum shot time interval, shooting time windows; e) for each next shot: if the second theoretical shot time is in the shooting time window, selecting as a predicted shot time the second theoretical shot time; otherwise, selecting a border of the shooting time window closest to the second theoretical shot time.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for steering a seismic vessel associated with a sail line and a current preplot line. The seismic vessel tows at least one acoustic linear antenna including receivers, the receivers receiving signals generated by at least one source and reflected by subsurface's layers at a plurality of reflexion points. The method includes: a) computing distances di, i?{1 . . . n}, from n reflexion points, included in the plurality of reflexion points, to a boundary of an already obtained binning coverage zone associated with an already used previous preplot line; b) computing a distance D, from the n reflexion points to n target reflexion points, as a function of the distances di; and c) providing steering information comprising or based on the distance D to a navigation system or to an operator of a navigation system, to alter the course of the seismic vessel.

Abstract: An anti-stiction method is proposed in an inertial micro-electro-mechanical device. The device includes: a mobile mass, suspended to an armature via a spring, and having at least one mobile electrode; and at least one fixed electrode rigidly attached to the armature, each fixed electrode cooperating with one of the at least one mobile electrode to form a pair of electrodes. The anti-stiction method carries out a step of detecting, for at least one stuck pair of electrodes, a stiction associated to a stiction force and a step of applying, during a predetermined time period, a predetermined voltage between the electrodes of at least one of the pair or pairs of electrodes, so as to create an electrostatic force which generates a displacement of the mobile mass according to the direction of the stiction force.

Abstract: A switch for a marine seismic sensor. The switch includes a bellows having a closed end, a side portion and an open end, wherein the side portion connects the closed end to the open end, the closed end includes a conductive surface, and the side portion acts as a spring; a base plug that includes first input and first output contacts on a first side and second input and second output contacts on an opposite side; and a plug located in the open end of the bellows and configured to form a chamber, inside which the second input contact and the second output contact are provided. The conductive surface short-circuits the second input contact and the second output contact when a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure (P) acts on the conductive surface.

Abstract: Described herein is a seismic streamer formed of sections including a main sheath covered with an external sheath, wherein said external sheath is formed using a thermoplastic material loaded with a biocide material.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating overstress in an electro-mechanical cable. The apparatus includes an overstress an overstress indicator cable including at least one non-twisted conductor disposed within a section of the electro-mechanical cable, where the non-twisted conductor is adapted to break when tension in the non-twisted conductor is greater than an allowable working load for the electro-mechanical cable.

Abstract: A method for estimating an underwater acoustic sound velocity in a network of acoustic nodes arranged along towed acoustic linear antennas and in which a plurality of acoustic signals are transmitted between the nodes. The method includes: obtaining two predetermined distances each separating a couple of nodes placed along a same first acoustic linear antenna (31); for each couple of first and second nodes, obtaining a first propagation duration of an acoustic signal transmitted between said first node and a third node placed along a second acoustic linear antenna and a second propagation duration of an acoustic signal transmitted between said second node and said third node; and estimating said underwater acoustic sound velocity, as a function of said two predetermined distances and said first and second propagation durations obtained for each couple of nodes.

Abstract: A method for managing a multi-vessel seismic system including a first vessel, having a recording system and towing a streamer integrating seismic sensors, and a second vessel, including at least one seismic source performing shots. The second vessel sends to the first vessel a plurality of series of shot predictions. For each shot, the second vessels activates the seismic source according to the predictions and sends to the first vessel shot data relating to the shot. The first vessel activates the recording system. If the first vessel has not received the shot data relating to at least one performed shot, it sends a request to the second vessel and receives in response the missing shot data. For each performed shot and the related shot data, the system selects seismic data and combines the selected seismic data with the related shot data to obtain combined data allowing a seabed representation.

Abstract: A method for determining a quality control quantity corresponding to energy provided by a seismic source and related devices are provided. The method includes determining an envelope of a pilot signal associated with the seismic source; measuring a source signal of the energy provided by the seismic source; normalizing the pilot signal and the source signal using the determined envelope; and determining, in a processor, the quality control quantity using the normalized pilot signal and the normalized source signal. A control mechanism configured to implement the method includes a storage device holding data of a pilot signal associated with the seismic source; and a processor connected to the storage device and configured to carry out the method steps. A computer-readable medium having instructions to carry out steps of the method is also provided.

Abstract: A mount for use with a downhole tool such as, but not limited to, an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) gauge, includes a mounting means that does not use a fixed- or spring-connection between it and the outer housing of the sensitive assembly but rather makes use of a sliding joint. One end of the sliding joint is in communication with the sensitive assembly of the downhole tool and the other end of the sliding joint is in communication with another component of the downhole tool. The sliding joint is arranged relative to the sensitive assembly so that a radial movement of the sliding joint is restricted and an axial movement of the sliding joint is permitted. When in use, the sliding joint isolates the sensitive assembly from an axial load, thermal stress, or both axial load and thermal stress.

Abstract: Discloses herein is a system of acquiring seismic date in a marine environment, which includes: seismic streamers towed by a vessel; and means for detecting and/or locating marine mammals, characterized in that said marine mammal detection and/or location means are secured to said seismic streamers.

Abstract: There is a testing device for testing a sensor. The testing device includes a rotating mechanism; a first rotating plate connected to the rotating mechanism so that the first rotating plate rotates around an orbital axis (Z1); a second plate rotatably attached to the first rotating plate at a rotating point, the second plate having a rotational axis (Z2) offset from the orbital axis (Z1) by a predetermined distance R; and a gripping mechanism attached to the second plate and configured to receive and fix the sensor relative to the second plate. The second plate follows a circular trajectory with constant attitude around the orbital axis (Z1).

Abstract: A method for electrically setting a gap for a piezoelectric pressure sensor. The method includes positioning a piezoelectric flex element on a tray; attaching a voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element of a piezoelectric pressure sensor; applying a voltage from the voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element; curing an adhesive between the piezoelectric flex element and the tray while the piezoelectric flex element is deflected by the voltage; and stopping the voltage from the voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element when the adhesive has been cured.

Abstract: A method for simulating the positioning of at least one acoustic linear antenna towed in a study zone is provided. The method includes at least one simulation step of at least one future position of at least one point of the acoustic linear antenna(e), at least one step for predicting the temporal and spatial variations of at least one marine current likely to interact with the acoustic linear antenna(e) and at least one step for determining the form of the acoustic linear antenna(e) by the resolution of a hydrodynamic model. The prediction step(s) include an upstream phase for determining a current at at least two determined points of the zone; a simulation phase of at least one future position of the determined points; a temporal projection phase of the current determined during the upstream phase at each future position; and a spatial projection phase of the currents at at least two distinct points of the acoustic linear antenna(e) occupying future position(s) of the simulation step.

Abstract: A torque relief system dissipates a torque in a marine cable section to be used for seismic data collection. The system includes a bench having a deadman unit; a tensioning element connected to the deadman unit; a swivel bearing unit connected to the tensioning element and configured to receive a first end of the marine cable section; and at least one bearing unit configured to support the marine cable section with reduced friction so that when the tensioning element tenses the marine cable section, the marine cable section and the first end rotate freely until the torque is dissipated.

Abstract: A connector is provided, which is configured for being connected to a similar connector. The connector has a global cylindrical shape around a longitudinal axis and includes a connection zone having comprising at least one electrical contact. A housing extends at least partly around the connection zone and has at least two projecting members. A cylindrical locking nut surrounds the housing and is at least partly movable relative to the housing. The housing and the locking nut are configured for respectively cooperating with corresponding locking nut and housing of the similar connector.

Abstract: A seismic sensor detects a characteristic of a medium during a seismic survey. The seismic sensor includes a casing; a magnet located inside the casing; a coil assembly located inside the casing, wherein the coil assembly moves relative to the magnet; and a temperature-sensitive device connected to terminals of the coil assembly and configured to improve the damping. The magnet and the coil assembly produce some intrinsic damping and the additional damping introduced by the temperature-sensitive device is selected to counterbalance the temperature-dependent intrinsic damping so that a phase of a recorded seismic signal is compensated for temperature induced magnetic field changes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of acquiring seismic date in a marine environment, which includes: seismic streamers towed by a vessel; and means for detecting and/or locating marine mammals, characterised in that said marine mammal detection and/or location means are secured to said seismic streamers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a pressure, temperature, and/or vibration of a hostile environment without requiring the use of active electronics or an oscillator circuit in that environment. The system and method interrogate a resonant pressure sensor and a resonant or passive temperature sensor connected to a transmission line and located at least 100 feet (30.48 m) away from a network analyzer. The system and method use the reflected frequencies from the sensors to determine the pressure, temperature, and/or vibration. If the sensors are networked by the transmission line or a network filter, the reflected portion can include the reflected transmission energy. The applied signal and reflected portion travel along the transmission line, which is preferably impedance matched to that of the system. If a multi-conductor cable is used, the effects of the cable's length and temperature are compensated for via a system calibration when in field use.