Advances in Seismic Acquisition: a Novel Approach Using Autonomous Underwater Gliding Nodes

This article discusses the development of a novel marine seismic acquisition system that utilises a fleet of fully autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) as ocean-bottom nodes (OBNs). The primary objective is to eliminate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or use of ropes for the deployment and recovery of ocean-bottom seismic sensors, thereby enabling ocean-bottom seismic surveys that are significantly more efficient, cost-effective with improved environmental impact. This is achieved by developing buoyancy driven AUVs, which offer long endurance and are capable of self-locating to pre-determined positions without the need for any direct surface control. Additionally, the system proposed is designed for scalability, allowing for large inventories of AUVs to be deployed in parallel to satisfy the requirements of large-scale seismic surveys. This system is expected to service sub-surface imaging needs of both hydrocarbon business and emerging low carbon businesses such as CCS. This system will also permit a shift from dense source side to dense receiver side sampling, with a clear benefit to limit sound emission levels even as sampling density (and so data quality) increases.