MXPA06003936A - Remotely operable measurement system and method employing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A marine measurement system is disclosed for obtaining measurements in an underwater operating environment. The system includes a base structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and cavities provided therebetween. The cavities are also open to the top surface. The measurement system further includes measurement equipment (e.g., electronic equipment and/or instrumentation), which are retained in the cavities. A diaphragm membrane is applied adjacent the top surface and seals the cavities. The diaphragm member is positioned in pressure communication with the operating environment. Furthermore, the cavities are defined by the membrane and the base structure and filled with a pressure compensating fluid that is in pressure communication with the operating environment through the diaphragm membrane.

Description

REMOTELY OPERABLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD THAT USES THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The current invention is generally related to remotely operable measurement systems conforming to relatively high environmental pressure such as underwater or marine exploration systems and a method of conducting measurements under such pressures. More particularly, the present invention relates to such remotely operable systems containing electronic equipment and instrumentation ("measurement equipment") that may be sensitive to such high pressure. The invention is even more related to a system of electromagnetic measurement under the sea or sea and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART The present invention relates particularly to remotely operable electromagnetic measurement systems such as Magnetotelluric (MT) measurement systems. MT measurements are used to compute an electromagnetic impedance of selected formations of the earth. MT measurements are especially useful in regions where seismic imaging is inadequate. For example, MT exploration is useful when evaluating geological formations such as salts and carbonates. Salts, carbonates, and other particular formations can disperse seismic energy when seismic energy propagates through them due to large contrasts of speed and lack of homogeneity within these formations, while the electromagnetic energy of the fields of MT sources propagate by these layers with less distortion. The MT method measures variations in the magnetic and electrical fields of the earth and does not use seismic energy to determine formation characteristics.

The MT method is typically used to measure an electromagnetic impedance as a frequency function. A lower frequency provides a greater depth of penetration. The measured impedance can be transformed into an evident resistance and / or conductivity of the selected formations. Measuring the impedance in several locations at various frequencies allows a determination of the resistance and / or conductivity as a function of both depth and horizontal position. Therefore, the MT method can be used to evaluate the resistances of the formation on large areas of the seabed. The resistances of the formation of several formations in a selected area can then be analyzed to determine the geometry of the formation, the presence or absence of hydrocarbons in selected formations, and the like. The MT method is a passive method that uses natural variations in the earth's magnetic field as an energy source. The method includes a system under the sea that detects perpendicular magnetic and electric fields near the sea floor to define a surface impedance.

The surface impedance, as described above, can be measured over a wide range of frequencies and over a large area where the superimposed formations act in a manner analogous to the segments of a transmission power line. An MT method that operates according to the principles described above is generally disclosed in the U.S. Pat.

No. 5,770,945 published to Constable. The type of electromagnetic receiver disclosed in this may also be used to record the electromagnetic signals that originated from various kinds of transmitter systems such as a towed bipole cable or a magnetic loop source. In addition, the receivers could be used to detect electromagnetic radiation originating from other types of signals such as emanation from naval ships (corrosion currents, electrical circuits, generators, mobile machinery) or from electrical or magnetic sources located in holes or the sources of the earth. The objective of these measures could be extended from the detailed exploration of the subsurface structure of the conductivity to the monitoring of traffic or naval operations to determine signs of spillage of cables under the sea. Referring to Figure 1, the system under the sea generally includes an apparatus such as a magnetotelluric (MT) measurement system 100 disclosed in the Constable patent. The measurement system MT 100 includes a body 102 having a battery pack (not shown), a data acquisition system 104, two perpendicularly oriented magnetic sensors 122 and 124, and four arms 139, 140, 142, and 144, each one including an electrode 118, 119, 120, 121 mounted on the end thereof. The electrodes 118, 119, 120, 121 are silver-silver chloride electrodes, and the magnetic sensors 122, 124 are sensors of the magnetic induction coil. The arms 139, 140, 142, 144 are five meters long and approximately 2 inches in diameter. The arms 139, 140, 142, 144 are typically formed of a semi-rigid plastic material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene) and are fixed to the body. The five-meter length of the arms 139, 140, 142, 144 makes it difficult to store, deploy, and retrieve the MT 100 system from a surface container (not shown) because the arms 139, 140, 142, 144 are fixed with with respect to body 102 (as shown in Figure 1). The arms 139, 140, 142, 144 are designed to rest on the sea floor when the MT 100 system is in place. The body 102 is attached to a removable concrete anchor 128 which helps the MT 100 system sink to the seabed after deployment. The body 102 usually rests on top of the anchor 128 when it is placed at the bottom of the sea. The anchor 128 can be released after the MT measurements have been completed so that the body 102 can rise to the surface and be recovered by the surface container (not shown). The system shown in Figure 1, therefore, consists of two perpendicular electric dipoles and two perpendicular magnetic sensors. The magnetic sensors are located close to the power source and the data acquisition system. Because magnetic sensors are very sensitive to detect small changes in the magnetic field of the earth, magnetic sensors can also detect the equivalent magnetic fields generated by the current flow from the power source to the data acquisition system and other electrical equipment . These equivalent magnetic fields can therefore contaminate the data and must be removed from the registers using digital signal processing techniques. On the other hand, magnetic sensors are extremely sensitive to noise. Any movement of the body and / or arms is the MT system caused by the currents of the sea or marine life passing through the MT system such as the movement of the conductive liquid around the corresponding sensor can be detected. These fluctuations in the magnetic field are also recorded by the magnetic sensors and must be removed using signal processing techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates an electromagnetic measurement system of the prior art; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram in elevation view of an electromagnetic measurement system under sea or marine, according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a top view of the electromagnetic measurement system in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top view of the low structure of the electromagnetic measurement system in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the low structure in Figure 4, according to the present invention; Figure 6A is a top view of an alternative measurement system under the electromagnetic sea, according to the present invention; Figure 6B is an elevation view of the measurement system in Figure 6A; Figure 7A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the electromagnetic measurement system, according to the present invention; Y Figure 7B is an elevation view of the measurement system in Figure 7A.

? COMPENDIUM OF, THE INVENTION A marine system of measurements and method are disclosed to obtain measurements in an environment under the sea or operational submarine. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a base structure having an upper surface, a bottom, and the cavities provided therein. The cavities are also open to the upper surface. The system of measures even more includes the measurement equipment (e.g., electronic equipment and instrumentation, and related components), which are conserved in the cavities. A membrane of the diaphragm is applied together to the upper surface and seals the cavities. The membrane of the diaphragm is placed in pressure communication with the operating environment. In addition, the cavities are defined by the diaphragm membrane and the base structure and filled with a compensatory pressure liquid (preferably, an incompressible liquid such as oil) that is in pressure communication with the operating environment through the diaphragm membrane. . In another aspect of the invention, a pressure compensating system is provided for a remotely operable measurement system that is compliant with relatively high ambient pressure. The pressure compensatory system is provided to balance the pressure of the measurement system within the operating environment. The present pressure compensating system includes the cavities in a base structure of the measurement system. The cavities retain the measurement equipment and have open ends. In addition, a diaphragm membrane is applied together to the base structure to seal the open ends of the cavities (and the measuring equipment conserved in this). The diaphragm membrane is placed in pressure communication with the operating environment (ie, operating pressure). The pressure compensating system also includes a fluid reservoir that fills the cavities, preferably an incompressible liquid such as oil. The fluid reservoir is configured to be in pressure communication with the diaphragm membrane. Preferably, the cavities of the pressure compensating system are in communication with each other of the liquid pressure. More preferably, a cover is also included to preserve on the membrane of the diaphragm (sealing the membrane of the diaphragm over the cavities). Such a cover may have one or more openings for pressure communication to the diaphragm membrane. In another aspect of the invention, an electromagnetic system is provided to obtain measurements in an underwater operating environment. AND! The system includes a base structure and an electromagnetic measurement equipment conserved by the base structure. In addition, the system includes a subsystem that anchors to anchor the base structure to the sea floor during deployment. The anchoring subsystem includes a peel-off container (e.g., sandbags) containing anchor weight (e.g., sand). The container is made of a biodegradable material such as canvas, cotton, and the like. In addition, the anchoring subsystem includes a flotation package adapted to float the base structure to the surface during the launching of the anchoring subsystem. A common flotation package will include flotation balls filled with gas. Preferably, the anchoring subsystem will also include a launch mechanism for launching the sandbag and this launch mechanism will include a biodegradable retention line to secure the sandbag. Other aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of skill in the mechanical, geological, and other relevant arts, of the description and / or the drawings below, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION . The present invention is generally related to remotely operable measurement systems that are compliant with relatively high environmental pressure, such as underwater or marine exploration systems. Such systems would include electromagnetic reception systems, seismic data acquisition systems, acoustic systems, incunabula meters of the ocean floor, chemical analysis systems, and other systems that use sensitive measurement equipment. Typically, these systems employ pressure vessels to store sensitive equipment and protect sensitive equipment against environmental conditions, that is, high pressure. For the purpose of the current description, certain systems of electromagnetic measurements can be referred to and highlighted. The present invention should not, however, be limited to the specific systems described herein. As used herein, the terms "measurement equipment" shall refer to any of the above types of equipment, related equipment, and / or instruments. Such "measurement equipment" is any of those equipment, related parts and components that are sensitive to distant operating environmental conditions, and, thus requiring the protection of it. Often, such equipment requires special calibration or design. In other parts of the current description, such "measurement equipment" may be referred to as "equipment," "electronic equipment," or "instrumentation." Some of these systems are regularly operated in the depths up to 6,000 meters and pressures up to 15,000 psi. The present invention relates particularly to marine electromagnetic systems and methods such as those described in United States Patent No. 6,842,006, published January 11, 2005. This patent teaches a device for electromagnetic sea bottom measurements to obtain underwater measurements of the formations of the earth. Once authorized by the current Applicants and assigned to the current Assignee, this published patent includes historical information that can facilitate the description of the current invention, and more particularly, highlight the contribution to the art of current Applicants. Accordingly, Patent No. 6,842,006 is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes and included as part of the current access. Figures 2-7 represent systems of electromagnetic measurements under the sea or marine that incorporate various aspects of the current invention. It should be noted that the incarnations depicted and described are provided for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For example, certain aspects of the inventive system provide a compensatory pressure system that may be applicable to other structures and / or measurement systems not discussed herein. As another example, the anchoring system provided in some of the Figures can be adapted for use with other high-pressure electromagnetic measuring devices, pressure compensating packages or systems, and other structures.

Referring now to Figure 2, an electromagnetic measurement system 201 is provided which is particularly adapted for the use of undersea or marine applications. Measurement system 201 includes or incorporates electronic equipment and other equipment that require protection from marine elements, including pressure and salt water. The measurement system 201 is shown anchored or located on a sea floor 203 by means of an anchor 205. The anchor 205 is preferably provided in the form of a loaded solid disc or slab 205 conveniently resting on the bottom of the sea 203. In other uses, the anchor 205 can be a durable concrete anchor that allows the measurement system 201 to sink to the bottom of the sea 203 during deployment. The anchor 205 can also be launched to facilitate the retrieval of the sea floor system 201. The measurement system 201 further includes a central body or base structure 207 that is secured above the anchor 205. The base structure 207 preferably comes, as shown in Figure 2, in the form of a slab or solid, compact disc. The base structure 207 retains most of the measurement equipment. In the measurement system 207 of Figures 2 and 3, four sensor arms 209 extend outward from the central body 201 in various directions. The arms 209 are fixed to the base structure 207 and are typically about five meters in length. In addition, the measurement system 201 includes flotation balls 211 preferably secured on top of the base structure 207, as is known in the art. The function of the flotation balls 211 is to facilitate the deployment of the measurement system 201 in a predetermined manner. The flotation balls 211 also facilitate the recovery of the measurement system 201 (that is, during the launching of the anchor 205). Further illustrated in Figure 2 is a hydrodynamically shaped recovery float 213 provided on the floatation balls 211. The recovery float 213 is launched to the surface to allow a ship to more easily find the system.

Figure 4 provides a top view of the base structure 207. The base structure 207 is preferably a thick, disk-shaped slab having an upper surface 207a and a bottom surface 207b. The slab is preferably a non-conductive, plastic material (eg, 1"dense polyethylene). More preferably, the slab is slightly buoyant and, thus, does not contribute to the submarine weight of system 201. As shown in Figure 4, the arm of sensor 209 contains a cable 401 which imposes on the arm of base structure 207. Sensor arm 209 may further contain electrode 433 which may be placed at any position along the entire length of sensor arm 209. (See eg, Figures 2C, 6B and Detailed Description of the '006 Patent.) The base structure 207 provides a port cavity or a pot 403 in which a proximal end of the arm 209 conveniently and sealingly resides In accordance with the present invention, the measuring system 201 is provided with a pressure compensating system for balancing the pressure within the cavities with the pressure of the external operating environment.The plastic base structure 207 is provided with a plurality of compartments or cavities in which electronic equipment, cabling, and other sensitive components are located and conserved. The cavities are preferably sealed and compensated for pressure by the interaction between a diaphragm and a fluid reservoir consisting of preferably incompressible filling liquid in the cavity. As used herein and as illustrated in Figure 4, the cavities come in various shapes and sizes. The cavities may be in the form of cylindrical ports, such as port 403 ', channels 405', 415 ', depressions or wells 407', 413 ', 417', 419 ', and the like.

Preferably, the cavities are cut into the slab of the base 207. More preferably, the various cavities are interconnected, and thus, they are in fluid pressure communication with one another. An important feature of the base 207 and more specifically, of the cavities provided or carved in this, is that the cavities are open at one end which preferably corresponds to an upper surface 207a of the base 207. On the other hand, the cavities are flush with the upper surface 207a. In the example of Figure 4, the cavities are provided to accommodate the measurement equipment including a battery pack 407, sensor electronics 413, a data acquisition system 417, and output connector 419. Each of these cavities is a relatively large slit or compartment adjusted to accommodate intentional electronic equipment or other sensitive equipment. In addition, the base 207 includes channels 407 'and 415' to communicate cables interconnecting the various electronic components. As mentioned above, in the preferred incarnation, each of these cavities are in mutual fluid communication, and thus, are pressure paired. Referring now to Figure 5, an enlarged cross-sectional view of certain components of the apparatus of measurement 201 is provided. Figure 5 represents a side view of the base 207 illustrating the varied depths of the cavities carved therein. In one aspect of the present invention, a diaphragm 503 is provided attached to the upper surface 207a to communicate the ambient pressure to the liquid (and thus the equipment therein) in the cavities. In an incarnation, the diaphragm 503 is an elastomeric membrane 503 located on the base 201 and applied to the upper surface 207a. In yet another incarnation, the elastomeric membrane 503 is preferably made of HYPALON material. The elastomeric membrane 503 is preferably placed on the plastic base 207a to cover the surfaces or open ends of the cavities. To ensure a seal against the upper surface 207a, and over the cavities, a sealing plate 505 is preferably applied on the elastomeric membrane. The plate 505 is preferably made of a plastic material and is secured to the base 207 via screws or similar fasteners. By pressing the elastomeric membrane 503 against the upper surface, the cavities of the base 207 are sealed from the surrounding underwater environment. The diaphragm can also be made of other elastomeric materials, and other flexible and sufficiently deformable materials (and configuration). The material must be satisfied to bend, to pressure the cavities. The flexibility of the diaphragm material also allows to explain the thermal expansion of the liquid preserved in the cavities. In some applications, a flexible metal sheet can be used. In yet another aspect of the invention, the lid 505 is provided with a plurality of the openings 507 in appropriate positions. The openings 507 function to communicate ambient pressure on the upper surface of the elastomeric membrane 503, thereby clamping the elastomeric membrane 503 to ambient pressure. The number and size of openings may vary, while environmental pressure may act on the diaphragm material, thereby communicating the pressure to the cavities. Preferably, the number and size of openings are sufficient to prevent clogging by sediment and other debris. According to the present invention, the cavities are provided-with a generally incompressible liquid such as an oil-based liquid. In this way, the elastomeric membrane 503 acts as a diaphragm and together with the incompressible liquid provides the compensating pressure mechanism. In addition, membrane 503 and oil in the cavities work to balance the pressure in the cavities. In this way, the pressure otherwise applied to the structure and / or the electronic equipment in the cavities is relieved. In many applications, an oil-based liquid will be the preferred liquid in the reservoir. Other liquids can be used in alternative incarnations, however. Preferably, the selected liquid is an environmentally benign, generally incompressible, and low dielectric liquid. In a conventional art method, prior to submersing the electronic equipment, the sensitive measurement equipment is included within the pressure vessels that provide protection from the surrounding aquatic environment. In the typically large depths in which the subject measurement systems are deployed, the pressure applied to the equipment can be at very large magnitudes (ie, 15,000 psi). As a result, pressure vessels of the prior art are designed to be large vessels and therefore can be thick, bulky, and symmetrical (ie, spherical) to avoid stress concentrations. The weight and volume attributed to these pressure vessels must be compensated for when designing the measurement system so that it is buoyant. Compared to the prior art system, the current inventive systems are smaller, less bulky, and less expensive to make. In addition, the current inventive system, as represented in the Figures, does not have the buoyant demands of prior art systems. On the other hand, the design of the cavities of the current system provides certain operational advantages. For example, direct electrical connections are provided inside the fluid-filled cavities, without the need for specialized and delicate high-pressure connectors. The proper design of the cavities (ie, the channels) can be achieved by reducing the length of the cables between components. The minimization of cable length, especially the cables between the sensors and preamplifiers, reduces or eliminates unwanted noise in the measurements that can result from mobile, long, free cables.

In addition, the compact design of the plastic base provides for additional stacking capacity within the aisle of a ship, for example, as well as reducing the overall volume of the measurement system. In addition, additional reliability is achieved due to the small number of connectors. Even still, better signal integrity is possible because signals are not required to pass through the high pressure seals. An embodiment of the invention provides a pair of magnetic sensors or magnetometers 437 of the measurement system 201 installed as shown in Figure 4. The arrangement of a magnetometer 437 is facilitated by certain qualities of the inventive system, including the absence of high pressure seals. . The magnetometer 437 can be placed on the sensor arm 209 and close to the base structure 207. In the alternative, the magnetometer 437 can be positioned near a distal end of the sensor arm 209, as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the arms 209 are long enough to place the magnetometers 437 at a sufficient distance from the base structure 207, by which a magnetic field generated by the current flow within the base structure 207 is substantially undetectable by the magnetometers 437 (eg, a distance that is usually several meters). As described in the '006 patent, such placement of the magnetometers 437 can effectively eliminate the interference and "noise" generated by the magnetic fields in the base structure 207. As discussed in the' 006 patent, placing the magnetometers 437 near the distal end of the arms 209 also adds the additional mass to the ends of the arms 209. Such a mass helps to make sure that the magnetometers 437 come into contact with or partially fit into the bottom of the sea 203. In this way , the mechanical stability of the arms and of the measurement system 201 is improved. As another result, the flow of seawater or movement of marine life beyond the arms 209 and the magnetometers 437 does not tend to cause additional movement of the arm 209 or the measurement system 201. This also helps prevent the introduction of anomalies in the recorded data of the magnetic field. A plurality of the magnetometers 237 may also be placed adjacent to the base structure 207, as shown in Figure 3. This allows direct connection of the magnetometers 237 to the electronics and / or other equipment within the base structure 207, or so less so of a minimum cable length. In addition, magnetometers 237 can be assembled together to base structure 207 without the use of high pressure seals and connectors. For example, a standard pressure setting can be used as a connection. In this arrangement, the magnetometers 237 are open and thus advantageously arranged in the pressure communication of the liquid with the oil reservoir in the cavities of the base structure 207. Thus, the differential pressure (between the ambient pressure and the pressure of the reservoir liquid) through a magnetometer 237 is minimized or eliminated entirely. In another embodiment of the invention, magnetometers 437 are induction sensors of dB / dt. These sensors maintain a dB / dt response that is based on the induction of an electromotive force due to a magnetic flux that varies in time. Such a magnetic sensor provides another advantage of a simpler construction, simplified cabling requirements and connectors.

It should be noted, however, that several types of sensors are suitable for and can be used with the measurement system according to the present invention. In addition, the system of measurements can be used with both the magnetometer system and the electrode system, or with only one of these systems. Each of these incarnations will benefit from a compensatory system of pressure and other aspects of the current invention as described herein. Additional reference must be made to access the '006 Patent (which has been incorporated by reference) to illustrate. Various arrangements and selections of magnetic sensors. This access also provides several arrangements and electrode selections. Figures 6 and 7 represent alternative marine measurement systems according to the invention. These Figures highlight a feature of the novel deployment or means of the current invention. In the standard deployment of measurement systems, more specifically the magnetotelluric / CSEM sensors and the data acquisition systems, the instrumentation packages are deployed from a ship and allowed to sink to the seabed by means of a heavy anchor, such as a concrete slab. The anchor is launched by an acoustic device powered from the surface vessel and remains at the bottom of the sea indefinitely. The alternative incarnations depicted in Figures 6 and 7 provide a novel anchor subsystem that is biodegradable. In another aspect of the invention, the anchoring system includes a biodegradable container for the weight of the anchor. In another aspect of the invention, the anchoring system includes a plurality of sandbags (container for anchor weight) that are made of a biodegradable material such as cotton, canvas and the like. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate alternative incarnations of the anchoring subsystem, according to the invention. Each of these incarnations utilizes a plurality of flotation packages including gas-filled flotation balls. Figure 6 illustrates a three-float ball system, while Figure 7 illustrates a four-float ball system. With regard to Figure 6, Figure 7 is represented by similar numbers of the reference (in the series of 700 instead of in the series of 600) indicating as similar elements. It should be noted that the deployment of the measurement system, and more specifically, of the anchoring subsystem 601, can be incorporated with conventional methods. Such incorporation will be evident to the qualified person, having the current Description and / or drawings in front of them. The anchoring subsystem 601 utilizes a plurality of the flotation balls 611a, a hydrodynamically formed recovery float 613. Furthermore, the anchoring system 601 uses a plurality of the biodegradable cotton sandbags 605 located between the 611 flotation balls. As demonstrated in the initial anchor state of Figure 6, the removable sandbags 605 are retained to the recovery float 613 by the retaining lines 615 secured to a retractable line holder 619 above the recovery float 613. An acoustic motor of The launch is further operatively associated with these components, and is operative to launch the sandbags 605. The recovery float 613 is preferably designed to be launched at the same time as the sandbags 605. The launch of the recovery float 613 and of its rise to the surface precedes the rest of the system of measures, thereby making the recovery of the system by a much easier ship. As shown in the Figures, the sandbags 605 are held in the deployment configuration by the retainer lines 615, which are tied to and close the mouth of the individual sandbags 605. These retention lines 615 are bonded around a 623 retractable pin. The 623 pin can be retracted by a motor driven by the acoustic launch motor (not shown), which, in turn, can be powered by the acoustic release system (which is standard on most measurement systems). ), when receiving an acoustic command from the surface. While the bolt 623 is contracted, the sandbags 605 fall to the bottom of the sea 203 and the flotation package returns the measurement system (or instrumentation package) to the surface. Another important aspect of this inventive system is that in the event of the acoustic malfunction of the launch, the biodegradable sand bag 605 and the retention lines 615, in time, become rotten, thereby launching the system of measurements of the sea bottom 203. In another aspect of the invention, retaining lines 615 can be designed and / or constructed of a material having a known time of decomposition, thereby ensuring the predetermined release of the system of measurements from the bottom of the sea. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of incarnations, those skilled in the art, taking advantage of this access, will appreciate that other incarnations can be devised that do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. For example, various types and arrays of sensors can be provided in a measurement system employing the inventive pressure compensating system. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (29)

CLAIMS It is claimed:

1. A marine measurement system for obtaining measurements in an underwater operating environment, comprising: a base structure having an upper surface, a bottom, and cavities provided therebetween and open in said upper surface, equipment of the measure conserved in the said cavities; and a membrane of the diaphragm applied together to said upper surface and sealing said cavities, said member of the diaphragm that will be placed in pressure communication with the operating environment; and wherein said cavities are defined by said diaphragm membrane and said base structure and filled with a pressure compensating liquid in pressure communication with the operating environment through said diaphragm membrane.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said diaphragm membrane is elastomeric.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said base structure is a plastic plate structure having said cavities carved thereon.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover held on said diaphragm membrane to secure said membrane to said base structure, said cover having one or more openings communicating the pressure to said diaphragm membrane.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said pressure compensating fluid is an incompressible liquid.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said incompressible liquid is an oil-based liquid.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said cavities are in liquid pressure communication with each other.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the liquid in said cavities provides a fluid reservoir in the liquid pressure communication with said diaphragm membrane.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said cavities of said base structure include a plurality of interconnected channels wherein a plurality of said measurement equipment is located.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a magnetometer placed next to said base structure and connected to the measurement equipment therein, said magnetometer being arranged in open communication with one of said cavities and in liquid pressure communication with said compensatory pressure liquid in said cavity.

11. A system of marine electromagnetic measurements to obtain measurements in an underwater operating environment, said system comprising: a base structure; equipment of the electromagnetic measure conserved by said base structure; an anchoring system for anchoring said base structure to the sea floor during deployment, said anchoring system including a removable container containing the weight of the anchor, said container being made of a biodegradable material; and a flotation package adapted to float said base structure to the surface during launch of said anchoring system.

12. The system of measures of claim 11, wherein said container is a bag of sand made of biodegradable material.

13. The system of measures of claim 12, wherein said further anchor system includes a launching mechanism including a biodegradable retention line securing said sand bag.

14. The system of measures of claim 13, wherein said further release mechanism includes a retractable bolt secured with said retaining line and a motor operatively associated with said retractable and operable bolt for contracting said bolt to separate said retaining line from said bolt. bag of sand.

15. In a remotely operable measurement system conforming to a relatively high environmental pressure, such as an underwater or marine exploration system and the like, a pressure compensating system for balancing the pressure within the measurement system with the operating environment, said system Compensatory pressure comprising: cavities in a base structure of the measurement system, said cavities conserving measurement equipment and having open ends; a membrane of the diaphragm applied together with the base structure a to seal said open ends of said cavities and equipment of the measure conserved therein, said membrane of the diaphragm being placed in pressure communication with the operating environment; and a fluid reservoir filling said cavities, said fluid reservoir being in pressure communication with said diaphragm membrane.

16. The pressure compensating system of claim 15, wherein said liquid in said fluid reservoir consists of an incompressible liquid.

17. The pressure compensating system of claim 16, wherein said cavities are in liquid pressure communication with each other.

18. The pressure compensating system of claim 17, further including a covered one conserved on said membrane, said cover-having one or more openings to communicate pressure to said diaphragm membrane.

19. A system of electromagnetic measurements under the sea to obtain measurements of the formations of the earth in an underwater operating environment, said apparatus comprising: a base structure having an upper surface, a bottom, and cavities provided between there and open in said upper surface; equipment of the electromagnetic measure conserved by said base structure; and a pressure compensating system including, a membrane of the diaphragm applied to said upper surface and sealing said cavities, said membrane of the diaphragm being placed in pressure communication with the operating environment, and a fluid reservoir filling said cavities, said fluid reservoir being in pressure communication with said diaphragm membrane.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said further pressure compensatory system includes a cover held on said diaphragm membrane, said cover having a plurality of openings for pressure communication with said diaphragm membrane.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said liquid is an incompressible liquid.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said cavities are in liquid pressure communication with each other.

23. The system of claim 19, further comprising a peelable anchor for anchoring said base structure said sea bottom, said anchor including a sand bag made of a biodegradable material.

24. The system of claim 19, embracing in additional: a plurality of arms extending from said base structure; and at least two magnetometers each coupling to one of said arms, wherein said magnetometers are placed at selected distance from the base structure so that the magnetic fields produced by the electric currents in the base structure do not substantially affect the measurements made by the magnetometers

25. The system of claim 19, further comprising at least one magnetometer placed adjacent to said base structure and connected with the measurement equipment thereon, said magnetic sensor being arranged in liquid pressure communication with said fluid reservoir.

26. A method of conducting measurements under the sea with an electromagnetic system, said method comprising the steps of: providing an electromagnetic measurement system including a base structure, measurement equipment arranged in cavities in the base structure, and a diaphragm membrane sealed applied on the cavities and placed in pressure communication with the low environment of the external sea of the electromagnetic measurement system, where the cavities are filled with a compensating pressure liquid that is arranged in pressure communication of the liquid with the diaphragm; deploying the system of measurements to a location under the sea such that the membrane of the diaphragm acts to communicate the pressure of the surrounding low sea environment to the compensatory liquid of pressure; and driving electromagnetic measurements of the low location of the sea.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the electromagnetic measurement system further includes a magnetometer placed next to the base structure in direct connection with the measurement equipment in a cavity of the base structure and in pressure communication of the liquid with compensatory liquid of pressure in the base structure, said step of driving electromagnetic measurements including measuring magnetic fields with the magnetometer.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the base structure includes a plurality of cavities filled with the pressure compensating liquid and a plurality of measurement equipment disposed in the cavities, the cavities being interconnected such that during said deployment and driving the steps, said cavities are in liquid pressure communication with each other.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said deployment step includes deploying the measurement system in the vicinity of the sea floor and to a depth greater than about 1,000 meters.