Abstract: A gel-filled seismic streamer containing a hydrophone housing which isolates a hydrophone element from shear waves and mechanical forces but sensitive to pressure waves. In one embodiment, the gel-filled streamers contains a hydrophone housing with an air pocket at each end for isolating a pressure sensitive hydrophone element from mechanical noise generated by cable movement during seismic data acquisition operations. The hydrophone housing further provides and a protective case to isolate a pressure-sensitive hydrophone element from shear waves. An inlet formed in the protective hydrophone housing enables pressure waves to be communicated to the pressure sensitive hydrophone element inside of the housing. An alternative hydrophone housing for deployment inside of a streamer is also disclosed which fixably positions a positioning hydrophone or seismic hydrophone within the housing using rubber supports.

Abstract: A gel-filled seismic streamer containing a hydroplane housing which isolates a hydrophone element from shear waves and mechanical forces but sensitive to pressure waves. In one embodiment, the gel-filled streamers contains a hydrophone housing with an air pocket at each end for isolating a pressure sensitive hydrophone element from mechanical noise generated by cable movement during seismic data acquisition operations. The hydrophone housing further provides a protective case to isolate a pressure-sensitive hydrophone element from shear waves. An inlet formed in the protective hydrophone housing enables pressure waves to be communicated to the pressure sensitive hydrophone element inside of the housing. In one embodiment, the pressure sensitive hydrophone element is a hollow gel-filled cylinder that expands radially outward into a second air gap formed in the housing. A protective case is also provided to isolate the hydrophone housing from shear waves.