Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed relating to a body towable behind a vessel in a body of water, an arm rotatably coupled to the body, and one or more foils disposed on the arm. The arm, when deployed, is configured to be free to rotate as the apparatus is towed through the body of water. The one or more foils are configured to generate lift as the apparatus is towed. Due to the free rotation of the arm, the foils impart tension force to the body and not torque forces.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed relating to a body towable behind a vessel in a body of water, an arm rotatably coupled to the body, and one or more foils disposed on the arm. The arm, when deployed, is configured to be free to rotate as the apparatus is towed through the body of water. The one or more foils are configured to generate lift as the apparatus is towed. Due to the free rotation of the arm, the foils impart tension force to the body and not torque forces.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for performing marine geophysical surveys that utilize a streamer having variable stiffness. An embodiment discloses a sensor streamer comprising: an outer surface; tension members within the outer surface extending along a length of the sensor streamer; spacers disposed within the outer surface along the length of the sensor streamer; a geophysical sensor disposed in an interior of one of the spacers; and an actuator assembly configured to apply tension to the tension members.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for performing marine geophysical surveys that utilize a streamer having variable stiffness. An embodiment discloses a sensor streamer comprising: an outer surface; tension members within the outer surface extending along a length of the sensor streamer; spacers disposed within the outer surface along the length of the sensor streamer; a geophysical sensor disposed in an interior of one of the spacers; and an actuator assembly configured to apply tension to the tension members.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for performing marine geophysical surveys that utilize a streamer having variable stiffness. An embodiment discloses a sensor streamer comprising: an outer surface; tension members within the outer surface extending along a length of the sensor streamer; spacers disposed within the outer surface along the length of the sensor streamer; a geophysical sensor disposed in an interior of one of the spacers; and an actuator assembly configured to apply tension to the tension members.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical sensor streamer comprising a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining one or more interior chambers, wherein a geophysical sensor is incorporated into one or more of the rigid stems.

Abstract: Disclosed are rigid protracted geophysical equipment that comprise control surfaces and associated methods of use in marine geophysical surveys. An apparatus for use in a marine geophysical survey comprising: rigid protracted geophysical equipment having a ratio of length to a largest dimension of width or height of about 1000:1 or more, wherein the rigid protracted geophysical equipment comprises control surfaces for controlling movement of the rigid protracted geophysical equipment when towed through a body of water.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical survey method comprising: deploying a rigid-stem assembly from a survey vessel into a body of water, wherein the rigid-stem assembly comprises a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining one or more interior chambers; towing the rigid-stem assembly from the survey vessel through the body of water; and either (1) detecting a geophysical signal with a sensor towed by the survey vessel, and/or (2) activating a geophysical source that is towed by the survey vessel. Also disclosed are survey systems and rigid-stem handling systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine geophysical survey. An embodiment discloses a method of towing a survey device from a survey vessel, comprising: coupling the survey device to the survey vessel with a lead-in comprising a rigid-stem lead-in assembly, the rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem both defining one or more interior chambers; and towing the survey device through a body of water. Also disclosed are marine geophysical survey methods and marine survey systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for performing marine geophysical surveys that utilize a streamer having variable stiffness. An embodiment discloses a sensor streamer comprising: an outer surface; tension members within the outer surface extending along a length of the sensor streamer; spacers disposed within the outer surface along the length of the sensor streamer; a geophysical sensor disposed in an interior of one of the spacers; and an actuator assembly configured to apply tension to the tension members.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical survey method comprising: deploying a rigid-stem assembly from a survey vessel into a body of water, wherein the rigid-stem assembly comprises a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining one or more interior chambers; towing the rigid-stem assembly from the survey vessel through the body of water; and either (1) detecting a geophysical signal with a sensor towed by the survey vessel, and/or (2) activating a geophysical source that is towed by the survey vessel. Also disclosed are survey systems and rigid-stem handling systems.

Abstract: Disclosed arc methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical sensor streamer comprising a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining, one or more interior chambers, wherein a geophysical sensor is incorporated into one or more of the rigid stems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine geophysical survey. An embodiment discloses a method of towing a survey device from a survey vessel, comprising: coupling the survey device to the survey vessel with a lead-in comprising a rigid-stem lead-in assembly, the rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem both defining one or more interior chambers; and towing the survey device through a body of water. Also disclosed are marine geophysical survey methods and marine survey systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are rigid protracted geophysical equipment that comprise control surfaces and associated methods of use in marine geophysical surveys. An apparatus for use in a marine geophysical survey comprising: rigid protracted geophysical equipment having a ratio of length to a largest dimension of width or height of about 1000:1 or more, wherein the rigid protracted geophysical equipment comprises control surfaces for controlling movement of the rigid protracted geophysical equipment when towed through a body of water.

Abstract: A housing for a seismic sensing element (3) for use on the earth's surface comprises connecting means (5) for connecting the housing (3) to a support cable (2) so as to allow relative movement between the sensor housing (3) and the cable (2). This de-couples the sensor housing from the support cable, and improves the fidelity of the sensor. The connecting means (5) preferably comprises resilient connecting elements, to prevent the transmission of vibrations between the support cable and the sensor housing. The sensor housing (3) preferably has a flat base (1), so that there is good coupling between the sensor housing and the earth. Alternatively, the sensor housing can be fitted with a base member ((24a, 24b, 24c) that has at least one flat face (26, 26a, 26b, 26c).

Abstract: A housing for a seismic sensing element (3) for use on the earth's surface comprises connecting means (5) for connecting the housing (3) to a support cable (2) so as to allow relative movement between the sensor housing (3) and the cable (2). This de-couples the sensor housing from the support cable, and improves the fidelity of the sensor. The connecting means (5) preferably comprises resilient connecting elements, to prevent the transmission of vibrations between the support cable and the sensor housing. The sensor housing (3) preferably has a flat base (1), so that there is good coupling between the sensor housing and the earth. Alternatively, the sensor housing can be fitted with a base member ((24a, 24b, 24c) that has at least one flat face (26, 26a, 26b, 26c).

Abstract: A housing for a seismic sensing element (3) for use on the earth's surface comprises connecting means (5) for connecting the housing (3) to a support cable (2) so as to allow relative movement between the sensor housing (3) and the cable (2). This de-couples the sensor housing from the support cable, and improves the fidelity of the sensor.