Estimating an earth response can include deconvolving a multi-dimensional source wavefield from near-continuously recorded seismic data recorded at a receiver position. The deconvolving can include spreading the near-continuously recorded seismic data across a plurality of possible source emission angles. The result of the deconvolution can be the earth response estimate.

A marine streamer spread for acquiring seismic data, the spread including a streamer having a first portion and a second portion; the first portion including both first pressure sensors and pressure derivative sensors for acquiring the seismic data; and the second portion including second pressure sensors. The first portion imparts ghost diversity to the seismic data by having a variable-depth profile and the pressure derivative sensors impart polarity diversity to the seismic data.

A method is provided for managing a master vessel change in a multi-vessel seismic system. The system includes a master vessel M and at least one slave vessel. The method includes, during at least a part of a multi-vessel operation: selecting a new master vessel M′ among the at least one slave vessel, triggered by at least one predetermined event; and transmitting, to the at least one slave vessel, at least one piece of information related to a master vessel change from the master vessel M, called old master vessel, to the new master vessel M′.

An unmanned vessel system can include a hull system configured to provide buoyancy, one or more seismic sources configured to generate seismic energy, and a deployment apparatus configured to deploy the seismic sources from the hull system to a water body or water column. A control system can be configured to operate the deployment apparatus, in order to deploy the one or more seismic sources so that the seismic energy propagates through the water column. A compressed air source can be provided on board the unmanned vessel system, with a source line configured to provide compressed air to the seismic sources.

Apparatus, computer instructions and method for deghosting seismic data related to a subsurface of a body of water. The method includes inputting data recorded by detectors that are towed by a vessel, the data being associated with waves travelling from the subsurface to the detectors; applying a migration procedure to the data to determine a first image of the subsurface; applying a mirror migration procedure to the data to determine a second image of the subsurface; joint deconvoluting the first image and the second image for deghosting a reflectivity of the subsurface; and generating a final image of the subsurface based on the deghosted reflectivity of the joint deconvoluting step.

Systems and methods for acquiring blended and unblended seismic data during a single seismic survey. The blended and unblended seismic data is generated with a plurality of sources that are fired in a dedicated sequence. The sequence involves firing all the sources at a first time, advancing the sources along a given path, firing only a first source at a second time, later than the first time, advancing the sources, firing again all the sources at a third time, later than the second time, advancing the sources, firing only a second source at a fourth time, later than the third time, and so on until a desired subsurface is fully surveyed.

A seismic acquisition system for acquiring seismic data includes a streamer spread including first and second streamers, each of the first and second streamers having at least one seismic receiver and at least one position control device, and a seismic source located within an area underlined by the streamer spread and configured to generate seismic waves. The streamer spread and the source are towed independent of each other, a streamer separation DS between the first and second streamers varies along a length of the spread to comply with a given survey characteristic, and the streamer separation varies from a front-end value DS(F) at a front-end of the spread, to a middle of the spread value DS(O), to a back-end value DS(B) at a back-end of the spread, and the middle of the spread value is smaller than the front-end value and smaller than the back-end value.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting reconnaissance marine seismic surveys. In one example method of acquiring a marine seismic survey, a plurality of streamers are towed behind an acquisition vessel, the plurality of streamers defining a swath. A source is towed behind the acquisition vessel, and at least one other source is towed outside of the swath of streamers.

The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data.

The present disclosure is directed to loading a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system includes a case and a first conveyor having a helix structure provided within the case to support one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The case can include a first opening at a first end of the first conveyor and a second opening at a second end of the first conveyor. The system can include a base to receive at least a portion of the case. The system can include a second conveyor positioned external to the case that can move an OBS unit into the first opening at the first end of the first conveyor. The first conveyor can receive the OBS unit and direct the OBS unit towards the second opening at the second end of the first conveyor.