Ribbon foil depressor

Abstract

A ribbon-foil depressor is incorporated into a towed seismic array to provide downward lift to array sections or components. The ribbon-foil depressors may be deployed on the port and starboard spur lines or on the outboard separation ropes. The ribbon-foil depressors may be used to submerge and operate seismic equipment at depths as low as 60m or more and are capable of maintaining towed seismicstreamer cables at these depths and still remain stable through various speed changes and turns.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to US Provisional Application No. 62 / 295,561, filed February 16, 2016, entitled "Ribbon-foil depressor," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The techniques described herein relate to the design of fairings and foils attached to towlines and cables for submersion of sensors used in marine seismic surveying Lay out the structure. Background technique [0004] In towed marine seismic surveys, a hydrophone array is usually towed behind a marine vessel close to the surface. The hydrophones are mounted to a plurality of sensor cables, commonly referred to as streamers. The streamers serve as platforms or carriers for hydrophones distributed along the length of each streamer in the array. [0005] A set of seismic sources, also towed close to the sea surface, is operated to periodically emit acoustic energy. The acoustic energy...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This is generally disadvantageous for those applications where a range of operating speeds is expected and the towed equipment is required to maintain a constant depth over the speed range

Therefore, there is no simple, economical, or ideal way to immerse and operate seismic equipment, such as towed streamer cables, etc., at the desired lower depths

Images