This disclosure presents processes and systems for estimating a source wavelet from seismic data recorded in a seismic survey of a subterranean formation. In one aspect, a base wavelet is determined based on recorded seismic traces obtained in a seismic survey of a subterranean formation. Processes and systems include a phase-only wavelet based on the base wavelet and the recorded seismic data. An estimated source wavelet is obtained by convolving the base wavelet with the phase-only wavelet. Properties of the subterranean formation are determined based on the estimated source wavelet and the recorded seismic data.

An example system can comprise autonomous submarines and an auxiliary station including a power supply. Each autonomous submarine can include a respective power supply and a respective marine survey node coupled thereto. The auxiliary station can be configured to dock the autonomous submarines in a body of water and recharge the respective power supply of each of the autonomous submarines via the power supply of the auxiliary station. Each autonomous submarine can be configured to autonomously navigate from and return to the auxiliary station and position the respective marine survey node on an underwater surface.

A system to perform marine surveying may include a pair of identical design autonomous marine survey vehicles configured for coordinated operations. The vehicles may navigate and transit from a launch location to a geographically distant designated survey location, continuously survey and transit to a designated recovery location. A pair of vehicles may operate interchangeably at the sea surface, semi-submerged and underwater. Each may generate energy when operating at the surface and store energy in a rechargeable battery to power vehicle operation. The payload may include a sensor system to acquire seabed sensor data. A data storage system may store the sensor data. An on-board payload quality control system may analyze data validity. Positioning when the vehicle is collecting seabed sensor data may be determined with high precision, to provide survey data of high precision.

A seismic survey system for recording seismic data underwater in the presence of underwater currents. The system includes first plural buoys configured to descend in water at a predetermined depth (H1) and each having a seismic receiver for recording the seismic data; a first vessel configured to launch the first plural buoys along a first line; and a second vessel configured to recover the first plural buoys at a second line, wherein there is a predetermined distance between the first and second lines. The first plural buoys are configured to travel underwater, at substantially the first predetermined depth (H1), from the first line to the second line, due exclusively to the underwater currents.

A technique includes disposing a particle motion sensor on a spread of at least one streamer and using the particle motion sensor to acquire a measurement of a signal, which is transmitted from an acoustic transmitter. The technique includes determining a heading of the particle motion sensor based at least in part on the measurement.

Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for urging matching rotational orientations of geophysical sensors in a marine geophysical streamer. An embodiment discloses a marine geophysical streamer comprising a jacket; spacers disposed longitudinally within the jacket, the spacers containing geophysical sensors; and an alignment preserver disposed within the jacket, the alignment preserver encompassing at least a portion of each of the spacers and configured to urge matching rotational orientations for the geophysical sensors.

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.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a flush shape; an intake water element located on the body and configured to take in water; at least one propulsion nozzle located on the body and configured to eject the water from the intake water element for actuating the AUV; at least one guidance nozzle located on the body and configured to eject water to change a traveling direction of the AUV; and a seismic payload located on the body of the AUV and configured to record seismic signals.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, apparatus and system to deploy aquatic sensors to obtain oceanographic data. In an exemplary embodiment, a free-floating or untethered sensor receives signals from different transmitters. The signals may be configured to travel through air and/or water. The sensor records each signals' time of arrival and determines its location in relationship to known transmitters based on the signal travel time. The position of each sensor may be determined by triangulation to several devices whose positions are known. The distances from the sensor in question to each device is measured by means of time-of-flight measurements for a wireless signal from the sensor to each known-position device. Other methods such as trilateration or dead-reckoning may also be used. The sensor may additionally collect and record oceanographic or other environmental 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′.