A seismic deployment system having a deployment apparatus, a tow line, and a carrier line having a plurality of seismic sensor coupled therealong. The deployment apparatus has a hydrodynamic body. The tow line is configured for towing the hydrodynamic body through a water column. The carrier line is engaged with the deployment apparatus. The deployment apparatus is configured to control tension in the carrier line for deployment of the seismic sensors while the hydrodynamic body is towed through the water column by the tow line.

Marine survey source route configuration can include towing, via a first marine survey vessel, streamers at a first average speed and at an average velocity along a first survey route. A second marine survey vessel can tow a source at a second average speed that is greater than the first average speed along a second survey route that periodically passes over the first survey route and at the average velocity in a direction of the first survey route.

A cable fairing (fairing) (40) for reducing the flow resistance for a cable (45) has a wing formed cross section with a wide, rounded front and a tapered tail, a through-going cable channel (46) for the cable (45) perpendicular to the cross section of the widest part of the cross section. The wing profile comprises an elastic material of sufficient stiffness to maintain the shape when it is towed thereby causing flow resistance. The cable fairing (40) has slots (42) cut into the elastic material from the tail towards the cable channel (46), so that the tail comprises slats (41) which can be bent parallel to the cable channel (46) to reduce the cross-section of the cable fairing. By this is low flow resistance, as from a stiff cable jacket, combined with sufficient elastic deformability so the cable (45) with attached cable fairings (40), can be winched and pass through narrow openings in the deployment and retrieval, and wound onto a reel for storage and transport.

A seismic survey system includes a set of streamers coupled via lead-in cables to a towing vessel. An active adjustment system adjusts a distance separating at least two of the streamers of the set of streamers from each other. The active adjustment system can include a rope attached to a winch or can include a set of wings.

A seismic detection line includes one or more identified element(s) arranged in a string, and a telemetry link connecting the element(s) along the string to convey seismic data from at least one of the element(s) to a data recorder and identification data to a topology controller. Each of the element(s) includes a respective first identification unit connected to the telemetry link to provide a respective first identifier to the topology controller. A seismic detection system also includes a processor that queries the identified element(s) for their respective identifiers, determines an arrangement of the seismic detection line using the received identifiers, and presents an indication of the determined arrangement. A method of operating a seismic detection line includes transmitting a query along the telemetry link, detecting whether the respective identifier of one of the element(s) was received or not, repeating until termination, and determining and indicating the arrangement.

A segmented-foil divertor for marine towed application, such as marine seismic exploration, having a plurality of longitudinally stackable foil segments with an internal conduit extending along the span of each segment to receive a cable passing therethrough.

Disclosed is an ocean bottom seismic node for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The ocean bottom seismic node may comprise an arched cathedral buoyant body coupled to a substantially flat bottom metal plate. The buoyant body may be formed of hard plastic (such as plastic injection in a mold) and have one or more cathedral type inner structures with columns that form a plurality of interconnected inner chambers, which may be dry or filled with foam and/or act as ballasts. One or more electronic components may be directly attached to the bottom metal plate (and within one or more of the internal cathedral chambers) and covered/protected by the buoyant body that is water and pressure resistant at seabed depths. The edge(s) of the buoyant body may seal around the metal plate on one or more peripheral edges of the plate and buoyant body.

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.

Operating at constant depth, various embodiments are provided equipped with automatic depth-control mechanisms in dynamic devices such as lures and carriers that acquire and maintain a constant target depth when pulled through a medium such as water. The depth-control mechanism incorporates a mechanical pressure measurement of depth using a bladder with changing dimensionality and mechanical coupling to a variable angle dive plane. The measured pressure is compared with the target depth pressure causing the dive plane angle to adjust and converge to an adjustable target depth with forward motion due to retrieval or trolling. The dive plane extension is optionally a variable angle lip or bill protruding from the front of the lure or a pectoral fin-like configuration. Multi-purpose carriers are provided that can perform various underwater sensing and measuring tasks. Included are systems and methods for using a lure or platform equipped with a depth-controlling device.