Marine 2D Reflection Seismic

Acquisition
Lecture Notes 5
14 March 2014
Equipment
Sources, Receivers, Recording Instruments

Marine Layout
Source/Receiver Arrays, Positioning

Modern Marine 2D Seismic

Reflection Profiling Process

Equipment
Sources, Receivers, Recording Instruments

Air gun
An air gun is used for marine reflection and refraction surveys. It consists of one
or more pneumatic chambers that are pressurized with compressed air at
pressures from 14 to 21 MPa (2,000 to 3,000 psi). The air gun array is submerged
below the water surface, and is towed behind a ship. When the air gun is fired, a
solenoid is triggered, which releases air into a fire chamber which in turn causes a
piston to move, thereby allowing the air to escape the main chamber and to
produce a pulse of acoustic energy. Air gun arrays are built up of up to 48
individual air guns with different size chambers, the aim being to create the
optimum initial shock wave with minimum reverberation of the bubble after the first
shot.
Gun arrays can be fired in flip-flop mode; typically this would be 48 guns per
source, which would be selected and fired alternately. Large chambers (i.e.,
greater than 1.15 L or 70 cu in) tend to give low frequency signals, and the small
chambers (less than 70 cubic inches) give higher frequency signals. The air gun is
made from the highest grades of corrosion resistant stainless steel.

Airgun

Airgun Sub-Array Configuration

Airgun

Airgun

Airgun Compressor

Airgun

Airgun

Sercel G. Gun II Airgun

Airgun Sub-Array Configuration

Airgun Source Signature with Source Ghost

Airgun Source Signature

Receivers- Hydrophones

A hydrophone converts mechanical energy into electrical

energy. The conversion of energy can be based on the
property of materials such as piezo-electricity.
Piezo-electricity is the electricity or electrical polarity resulting
from the application of mechanical pressure on a dielectric
crystal.
The application of mechanical stress produces in certain
dielectric crystals and electric polarization (electrical dipole
moment per cubic centimeter) which is proportional to this
stress, and finally if the crystal is isolated, this polarization
produces a voltage across the crystal.

Hydrophone

Hydrophone

Hydrophone

Hydro-Geophone

We will not discuss much on this!

Recording Equipment

Sercel Seal Recording

Navigation Equip

(Older System)

Sercel SeaPro Real-time SP Gathers

(Older System)

Sercel SeaPro Real-time CDP Gathers

(Older System)

Recording and Navigation Equipment

Modern System

Cable ~4500m 360 channel at 12.25m

Streamers can be oil filled, foam filled
or solid.

Hydrophone-Streamer

Frequency spectra comparison of conventional

hydrophone-only streamer (black) and GeoStreamer (red)
data using a log frequency scale.

Marine Layout
Source/Receiver Arrays, Positioning

Source Array

Sercel Streamer/Receiver Array

Hydrophone Spacing per SSAS

and Xmax per No. of SSAS

Sercel Streamer Components

Sercel Streamer Components

Acoustic Positioning and Streamer Control

ECOS (Integrated navigation system)

Depth controllers handling (depth, heading)
Vessel navigation (GPS / DGPS)
Tail buoy navigation (RGPS)
Layout visualization

Streamer Control Unit

Streamer Control Unit

Streamer

Vessel

2D Marine Seismic Acquisition

Process

2D Seismic Streamer Array

Streamer

Streamer Birds for Depth Control

Streamer depth controller

Tail Buoy - GPS/Radar Transponder

Streamer Maintenance and Repair Boat

Streamer Maintenance and Repair Boat

Getting on Streamer at front end.

Streamer Maintenance and Repair Boat

Installing Section Collar

Barnacles on Cable - Must Be Cleaned

Modern Marine 2D Seismic

Reflection Profiling Process

Recording Process

Swell Noise (Marine Seismic)

The low frequency swell noise on these records is observed
from t=0. It is more apparent in some channels compared to
others. Break-out noise is higher frequency and related to
times when the hydrophone breaks into the air or near
surface. Basic swell noise is removed with application of
low-cut filter.

M
M
M

With significant water bottom multiple requiring SRME

15

16

L= Marine record with hard water bottom and refraction A. Gather has
primarily linear guided waves at B, C and D. Reflection at E is weak.
R= Wave packet A is mostly guided waves. Direct arrival at B. Reflection
with reverberation at E with long period multiples at M1-M4.

27

28

L= Marine record with cable geometry change noted at first break A.

Dispersive energy at B. C and D have different move-out. C is multiple.
R= Marine airgun record with high velocity reflections A and B having little
move-out. Guided wave at C result from strong water bottom refractor C.

31

32

L= Shot record primarily made up of guided waves. A is refraction and B

are the multiples from A. C is the direct arrival. D is guided waves. E is
back scattered energy from side scatterers at the water bottom.
R= Marine record with strong guided waves. Refractor at A, direct arrival B
and dispersive wave packet at C. D and E subcritical reflection reverberations.