Abstract: A resonant source element is configured to generate seismic waves in water. The resonant source element includes a housing having two openings covered by first and second pistons, wherein the first and second pistons are configured to freely translate relative to the housing to generate the seismic waves; and a high-pressure system configured to discharge inside the housing and to actuate the first and second pistons. The first and second pistons are configured to oscillate after the high-pressure system is fired to generate low-frequency seismic waves.

Abstract: A resonant source element configured to generate seismic waves. The resonant source element includes a housing; a high-pressure system configured to be discharged inside the housing; and a first conduit attached to an opening of the housing, wherein a distal end of the first conduit freely communicates with an ambient.

Abstract: Method, source and seismic vibro-acoustic source element configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The seismic vibro-acoustic source element includes an enclosure having first and second openings; first and second pistons configured to close the first and second openings; an actuator system provided inside the enclosure and configured to actuate the first and second pistons to generate a wave having first frequency; and a pressure mechanism attached to the enclosure and configured to control a pressure of a fluid inside the enclosure such that a pressure of the fluid is substantially equal to an ambient pressure of the enclosure.

Abstract: There is a method for determining a shape and structure of a piston for a vibratory seismic source element. The method includes generating a cost function J that is function of plural variables; applying plural constraints to the cost function J; calculating a piston shape and piston design that fulfills the plural constraints; and modifying the calculated piston shape and piston design based on practical implementations of the vibratory source element.

Abstract: A source array generates seismic waves in water during a marine seismic survey. The source array includes a first sub-array including plural source elements; plural acoustic transceivers distributed along the first sub-array; a positioning system; a primary position control device configured to control a position of the first sub-array; and a secondary position control system configured to adjust a depth of the first sub-array.

Abstract: Method, source array and source element that generate seismic waves. The source element includes an enclosure having an opening covered by a piston; a local supply accumulator fluidly communicating with an interior of the enclosure, a pressure of the fluid inside the local supply accumulator being larger than a pressure of the fluid inside the enclosure; a local supply valve located between the local supply accumulator and the enclosure and configured to control a flow of the fluid from the local supply accumulator to the interior of the enclosure; and a controller configured to control the local supply valve such that the pressure inside the enclosure does not fall below a first preset value based upon an ambient pressure of the enclosure while seismic waves are generated.

Abstract: Method for generating an excitation signal for a first vibratory seismic source so that the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time. The method includes a step of determining a first target spectrum for the first vibratory seismic source; a step of setting a first group of constraints for the first vibratory seismic source; and a step of generating a first excitation signal for the first vibratory seismic source based on the first group of constraints and the first target spectrum. The first seismic traces recorded with plural receivers can be identified when the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time, based on the first excitation signal.

Abstract: Method and dynamically-adjusted marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The acoustic source array includes a float; plural actuation devices, each actuation device having corresponding cables; and plural source points connected to the float through the corresponding cables. The plural actuation devices dynamically adjust corresponding lengths of the corresponding cables to achieve a desired variable-depth profile for the plural source points.

Abstract: Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes at least one sub-array. The at least one sub-array includes a float from which plural source points are attached. The source points may be provided on a curved line, straight line, or other desired shape so that a variable-depth source is obtained with a single float. The source points may be divided into groups and the groups may be provided on the curved line, straight line or other desired shape.

Abstract: Controller and method for adapting a frequency sweep for a vibro-acoustic source element that is configured to generate acoustic waves during a seismic survey. The method includes driving a seismic source element to generate a current frequency sweep; recording seismic data with plural seismic sensors in response to the current frequency sweep; selecting, during the seismic survey, a data subset of the seismic data, wherein the data subset has a size less than 10% of the seismic data; calculating with a processing device an attribute based on the data subset; and calculating a new frequency sweep based on the attribute.

Abstract: Method for generating an excitation signal for a first vibratory seismic source so that the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time. The method includes a step of determining a first target spectrum for the first vibratory seismic source; a step of setting a first group of constraints for the first vibratory seismic source; and a step of generating a first excitation signal for the first vibratory seismic source based on the first group of constraints and the first target spectrum. The first seismic traces recorded with plural receivers can be identified when the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time, based on the first excitation signal.

Abstract: Method, source and seismic vibro-acoustic source element configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The seismic vibro-acoustic source element includes an enclosure having first and second openings; first and second pistons configured to close the first and second openings; an actuator system provided inside the enclosure and configured to actuate the first and second pistons to generate a wave having first frequency; and a pressure mechanism attached to the enclosure and configured to control a pressure of a fluid inside the enclosure such that a pressure of the fluid is substantially equal to an ambient pressure of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method, system and a marine node for recording seismic waves underwater. The node includes a body made of a compressible material that has a density similar to a density of the water; a first sensor located in the body and configured to record pressure waves; and a second sensor located in the body and configured to record three dimensional movements. The body is coupled to the water for passing the seismic waves to the first and second sensors.

Abstract: Method and vessel for performing marine acoustic survey of a subsurface. The vessel includes a launching module configured to deploy an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) underwater; a recovery module configured to recover the AUV; a homing device mounted on the recovery module and configured to guide the AUV to the recovery module; and a management module connecting the launching module to the recovery module and configured to transport the AUV.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a marine seismic survey of a subsurface. The method includes deploying under water, from a deploying vessel, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); recording with seismic sensors located on the AUV seismic waves generated by an acoustic source array; instructing the AUV to surface at a certain depth relative to the water surface; recovering the AUV by bringing the AUV on a recovery vessel; and transferring recorded seismic data to the recovery vessel.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a flush shape; an intake water element located on the body and configured to take in water; at least one propulsion nozzle located on the body and configured to eject the water from the intake water element for actuating the AUV; at least one guidance nozzle located on the body and configured to eject water to change a traveling direction of the AUV; and a seismic payload located on the body of the AUV and configured to record seismic signals.

Abstract: Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes a first depth sub-array set of first acoustic source points configured to be provided at a first depth (z1), the first acoustic source points having different inline first locations along a longitudinal axis (X); and a second depth sub-array set of second acoustic source points configured to be provided at a second depth (z2), the second acoustic source points having different inline second locations along the longitudinal axis (X). The first locations do not coincide along the longitudinal axis (X) with any of the second locations.

Abstract: An electronic-carrying module (640), for example for use with a seismic data acquisition cable (400), is disclosed. The preferred electronic-carrying module (640) includes, first, an electronics carrier (106) having access means (107) for providing an easy-to-reach access to wrap-around circuitry fitted inside a curved space (104a) within the electronics carrier (106). Second, a pair of rigid end-fittings (102) spaced apart axially by the electronics carrier (106) for connecting to a section of the seismic data acquisition cable (400). And third, an axial hole (100) formed in the electronics carrier (106) and the rigid end-fittings (102) defining the curved space (104a) between the axial hole (100), the access means (107) and the rigid end-fittings (102).

Abstract: A method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment modules is disclosed. A conveyor has a fixed end and a free end. The conveyor is deployed into a body of water until the free end reaches, or is proximate to, the seafloor. The conveyor is dragged through the water. The equipment modules are slidably attached to the conveyor. The equipment modules slide along the conveyor to the seafloor, where the equipment modules engage the seafloor and are secured at a fixed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment including the steps of: providing a conveying means (200) with a fixed end and a free end (201); releasing said conveying means (200) into a body of water (210) from a vessel (220) until said free end (201) reaches, or is proximate to, a seafloor (230) of said body of water (210); dragging said conveying means (200) behind said vessel (220) at a controllable speed; slidably attaching said equipment (240) including a recovery module (241) and stopping means (242) to said conveying means (200), wherein said equipment, said recovery module and said stopping means are secured one to another by a connector (244); sliding said equipment (240) to the free end (201) of the conveying means (200), said equipment (240) being fixed in position on the seafloor (230) by said stopping means (242) once said stopping means reaches the seafloor; activating said recovery module (241) so as to allow said equipment (240) to ascend from