--> The Marine Vibrator JIP

AAPG/SEG International Conference & Exhibition

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The Marine Vibrator JIP

Abstract

Abstract

Summary

Total, Shell and ExxonMobil are working together to develop a new commercially and technically viable sound source for marine seismic surveys. These major oil and gas companies are funding a joint industry project managed by Texas A&M's Global Petroleum Research Institute (GPRI) to design, build and test three, full scale, marine vibrator prototype transducers. Each prototype has been designed and built by a different vendor to maximize the JIP's chance of technical success.

Objectives

The JIP believes the next generation marine seismic source technology could be non-impulsive. As in land Vibroseis, marine Vibroseis can be viewed as more advantageous and allow more efficient methods of acquisition. To realize this goal the JIP set a minimum required source output specification to meet general geophysical survey objectives and began investigating possible partners. Three companies; Applied Physical Sciences (APS), PGS, and Teledyne Webb Research (TWR), have been contracted to design and build prototypes.

Procedures

Key geophysical specifications: 5s signal array output;

5-10 Hz 190 dB re 1 µPa/Hz @ 1 m

10-100 Hz 200 dB re 1 µPa/Hz @ 1 m

Harmonic content above 150 Hz when driven with tone in 5-100 Hz range;

40 dB down

Reliability;

72 sweep hours between maintenance

720 sweep hours between overhaul

Testing of prototype marine vibrators is currently underway. This presentation will give an update on the status of the project and the three vendors' progress, and highlight next steps towards technical and operational qualification of the systems.

Conclusions

Good progress has been made in the effort to create a technically and commercially viable marine vibrator. Full scale prototype units have been built, undergone testing and are currently under review to determine functional performance and to gauge adherence to our technical specifications.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the sponsorship support of Total, Shell and ExxonMobil; we acknowledge the design and development efforts of the vendors: PGS, APS, and TWR; we acknowledge the GPRI and Texas A&M support efforts with the JIP management; and finally, we acknowledge the efforts of our team of consultants who provide technical oversight for the project.