WO2023191641A1 - Method of and system for transmitting seismic data from a subsea seismic sensor - Google Patents

Method of and system for transmitting seismic data from a subsea seismic sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023191641A1
WO2023191641A1 PCT/NO2023/050073 NO2023050073W WO2023191641A1 WO 2023191641 A1 WO2023191641 A1 WO 2023191641A1 NO 2023050073 W NO2023050073 W NO 2023050073W WO 2023191641 A1 WO2023191641 A1 WO 2023191641A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
seismic
data storage
node
storage device
Prior art date
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PCT/NO2023/050073
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French (fr)
Inventor
Mark Zajac
Original Assignee
Magseis Fairfield ASA
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Application filed by Magseis Fairfield ASA filed Critical Magseis Fairfield ASA
Publication of WO2023191641A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023191641A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/38—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for water-covered areas
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/22—Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/38—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for water-covered areas
    • G01V1/3843—Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers
    • G01V1/3852—Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers to the seabed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
    • B63G2008/004—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned autonomously operating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/22—Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
    • G01V1/223—Radioseismic systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/22—Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
    • G01V1/226—Optoseismic systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V2210/00—Details of seismic processing or analysis
    • G01V2210/10—Aspects of acoustic signal generation or detection
    • G01V2210/14—Signal detection
    • G01V2210/142—Receiver location
    • G01V2210/1427—Sea bed

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a method of transmitting seismic data from a subsea seismic sensor.
  • Some such seismic nodes are described as autonomous seismic nodes, and typically comprise at least one seismic sensor, a power supply unit, a processor, a battery and a data storage memory, all enclosed in a water-tight housing.
  • Some autonomous seismic nodes also include a propulsion system which can be operated so that the autonomous seismic node can propel itself to a desired location on the sea bed.
  • Autonomous seismic nodes are essentially self-sufficient, and are not reliant on a connection to a vessel, buoy or the like.
  • the node data storage memory is used to record and store the signals from each seismic sensor. These recorded signals comprise data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal, data which is generally, and will hereinafter be referred to as “seismic data”.
  • the seismic nodes can be deployed and retrieved either individually or in groups. Groups of nodes can be connected together by attaching nodes to ropes, cables and other devices, which are deployed into the ocean or retrieved by paying out or reeling in the cable with the nodes attached. Nodes can be deployed or retrieved individually by using either an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to place or collect each node on the ocean bottom. Nodes can also be discharged from a surface marine vessel to descend to the ocean bottom whether by un-guided free fall, by direction control systems and/or by propelled control systems.
  • AUV autonomous underwater vehicle
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • seismic data stored on the node is extracted and transferred onto a portable data storage device such as an external hard disc drive, or a data tape.
  • a portable data storage device such as an external hard disc drive, or a data tape.
  • the seismic node on the ocean bottom contains at least the or each seismic sensor, with one or more of the power supply unit, battery, processor and data storage memory being located on the buoy, power and I or signals from the seismic sensors being transmitted between the node and the buoy via the tethering cable.
  • the seismic data may be collected by retrieving the buoy, and taking it on board the survey vessel, in order to extract the seismic data from the data storage memory.
  • a plurality of sensors may be mounted on each streamer.
  • the data gathered by the or each sensor in the streamer is transmitted directly to the survey vessel via the cable, where it is stored.
  • the data can be transmitted directly onto a portable storage device such as an external hard disc drive or data tape. Alternatively, it could be transmitted to and stored on the memory of an on-board computer system, before being transferred or copied to a portable storage device.
  • the portable storage device is then physically transported to shore, and then on to a data processing centre where the data can be processed.
  • the data storage device might be delivered to shore by the seismic survey vessel itself during a port call, by another vessel, or even by helicopter.
  • the time taken to transmit the data to the data processing centre can be reduced, and the additional hazard exposure associated with the data transport can be eliminated by transmitting the data from the seismic survey vessel using a satellite communication link, but this is generally too expensive to be a viable option for most surveys using seismic nodes, as in these cases the seismic data arrives for distribution periodically in very large chunks rather than as a steady stream of data being received over a prolonged period of time.
  • the present disclosure relates to an alternative method of transmitting seismic data from a seismic node to shore.
  • a first aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a method of transmitting data from an off-shore seismic sensor to a data repository, the method comprising, a) transferring or copying seismic data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device, b) transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation, c) electronically transmitting the seismic data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.
  • the seismic data comprises data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal.
  • intermediate data transmission installation we mean any permanent or semipermanent installation (not a transient or movable structure such as a ship, submersible, semi-subsersible or other ocean-going vehicle) with an established, and permanent Shigh bandwidth data transfer communication link to the data repository.
  • the high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure may comprise electrically conductive cables, fibre-optic cables, satellite communications system, or other methods of high bandwidth data transfer.
  • Step “c” above may comprise electronically transmitting the seismic data over a network to the data repository.
  • the seismic data is transmitted over a distributed data communication network to the data repository.
  • the intermediate transmission installation may comprise an offshore installation, i.e. a structure which is permanently or semi-permanently positioned at an offshore location, and which is provided with high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure by means of which data can be transmitted electronically I digitally to shore.
  • an offshore installation i.e. a structure which is permanently or semi-permanently positioned at an offshore location, and which is provided with high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure by means of which data can be transmitted electronically I digitally to shore.
  • the offshore installation may be an oil rig.
  • the intermediate transmission installation may be located on land.
  • the seismic sensor may be provided on a seismic node which is located on the seabed.
  • the seismic node may be an autonomous subsea seismic node which is located on the sea bed, and which further comprises a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
  • step “a” above may include retrieving the seismic node from the seabed, loading it onto the surface vessel, and copying or transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
  • the seismic node may be retrieved from the seabed using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).
  • the seismic node may comprise a floatation device, and step a may include operating the floatation device to increase the buoyancy of the seismic node such that it floats up to the surface of the sea, and lifting the seismic node from the sea surface onto the surface vessel.
  • step a may comprise using a line attached to the seismic node to haul the seismic node onto the surface vessel.
  • step “a” above may include transferring or copying the seismic data from the data storage memory whilst the seismic node is on the seabed.
  • step “a” may comprise using an ROV or AUV having a data storage memory, operating the ROV or AUV to transfer or copy data stored in the storage memory of the seismic node to the memory of the ROV/UAV, and operating the ROV or AUV to transfer the said data from its memory onto the portable data storage device on board the surface vessel.
  • the seismic node may be connected to a container (such as a buoy) which floats on the ocean surface via a cable, the container having a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor via the cable and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
  • a container such as a buoy
  • the container having a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor via the cable and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
  • step “a” above may include retrieving the container, loading it onto a surface vessel, and copying or transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
  • the portable storage device may comprise a hard disk drive, a data tape, a flash drive, SD card or any other suitable form of portable electronic memory.
  • Step “b” above may comprise loading the data onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) and transporting the data to the intermediate data transmission installation by flying the UAV to the intermediate data transmission installation.
  • UAV unmanned aerial vehicle
  • a second aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a system comprising an offshore seismic sensor, a portable data storage device, an intermediate transmission installation, a data repository and a high bandwidth data infra-structure between the intermediate transmission installation and the data repository, the system being configured to implement the method of the first aspect of the disclosed technology.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in an alternative embodiment of method according at least some embodiments of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention
  • Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 7a is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data in some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 7b is a schemaic illustration of the path of the seismic data in some alternative embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8a is a schematic illustration of one arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8b is a schematic illustration of an alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8c is a schematic illustration of a further alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8d is a schematic illustration of a further alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention
  • Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the method according to the invention.
  • the seismic node 10 comprises at least one sensor 10a and a data storage memory 10b.
  • the data storage memory 10b may be a flash drive, SD card, hard drive or any other suitable electronic memory.
  • the sensor 10a may be a seismic sensor such as a hydrophone, geophone, MEMS or optical sensor.
  • the seismic node 10 may be provided with a plurality of such sensors.
  • the seismic node 10 may also be provided with additional sensors, including, but not limited to inclinometers, rotation sensors, translation sensors, and heading sensors.
  • the sensor 10a and data storage memory 10b are typically contained in a watertight protective pressure resistant housing, along with a power source (such as a battery pack), processor (which may be programmed to execute instructions to the node, for example, to carry out quality control I assurance checks on the operation of the node, or manage data storage in the data storage memory) and a reference clock.
  • a power source such as a battery pack
  • processor which may be programmed to execute instructions to the node, for example, to carry out quality control I assurance checks on the operation of the node, or manage data storage in the data storage memory
  • a reference clock such as a reference clock.
  • Such autonomous seismic nodes are well known in the art, and are described in patents including US 9,523, 780, US 6,024,344, US 7,310,287, US 2,675,821, US 7,646,670, US7,883,393, US 8,427,900 and US 8,675,446.
  • the housing may simply rest directly on the seafloor.
  • the housing and its contents may be located in and attached to a seafloor casing, the seafloor casing having at least one surface which is in direct contact with the seabed, as described in US2021/0263174, for example.
  • a plurality of such seismic nodes can be contained within the seafloor casing.
  • the data storage memory 10b is connected to the or each sensor 10a such that signals from the or each sensor 10a are stored in the data storage memory 10b.
  • the recorded signals from the seismic sensor or sensors comprises data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal, data which is generally, and will hereinafter be referred to as “seismic data”.
  • the data stored in the data storage memory 10b may also comprise other data, such as meta-data, or recorded signals from any additional sensors in the seismic node 10.
  • the seismic node 10 could be provided with a processor which processes the signals from the or each sensor, the data stored in the data storage memory 10b comprising processed signals from the or each sensor 10a.
  • the data stored in the data storage memory 10b is electronically transferred or copied onto a portable data storage device 13 on board a surface vessel (hereinafter referred to as the survey vessel 14).
  • this is achieved by retrieving the seismic node 10 from the seabed and loading it onto the survey vessel 14.
  • the seismic node 10 may be attached to a deployment line 11 (e.g. as disclosed in US 7,883, 292 and US 2016/0041280) which during deployment of the seismic node 10 is dropped from the back deck of vessel so that the line 11 and attached seismic node 10 sinks to the sea bed.
  • the seismic node 10 may be retrieved by hauling the deployment line from the survey vessel 14 until the attached seismic node 10 is also pulled onto the survey vessel 14, at which point it is detached from the deployment line 11. This method is illustrated schematically in Figure 3.
  • the seismic node 10 may include a floatation device 15, and a mechanism for activating the floatation device, retrieval of the seismic node 10 being achieved by triggering the mechanism to activate the floatation device and cause the seismic node to rise from the seabed.
  • the seismic node 10 may readily be retrieved using a net, hook or other such mechanical retrieval device operated from the survey vessel 14. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 4.
  • the seismic node is retrieved from the seabed using an ROV or UAV 16, as disclosed in US 2021/0263174, and NO 20190977 for example.
  • the data may then be extracted electronically on board the survey vessel 14 via a wired or wireless connection to the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10.
  • the seismic node 10 could be left in place on the sea bed, and the data extracted from the data storage memory 10b in situ.
  • This may be achieved by using an ROV or AU 16 having a data storage memory, operating the ROV/AUV 16 to transfer or copy data stored in the data storage apparatus of the seismic node 10 to the memory of the ROV/UAV 16, through a wired or wireless connection to the data storage memory 10b.
  • the ROV/AUV 16 could be connected to a data transfer interface (either through a wired or wireless connection) on the surface vessel, in order to transfer the data from the memory of the ROV to a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14, as disclosed in LIS20015/0316675, for example.
  • the data extracted from the data storage memory of the seismic node 10 may be transferred to a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14 via the umbilical.
  • the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 could be a removable memory (a USB flash drive, SD card or any other suitable device), and could be removed from the seismic node 10 either on board the survey vessel 14, or by the ROV/UAV 16 whilst the seismic node 10 remains on the sea bed 12 and transported from the sea bed to the survey vessel 14 by the ROV/AUV 16.
  • a removable memory a USB flash drive, SD card or any other suitable device
  • the data from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10, however extracted is transferred directly onto the portable data storage device 13, but it could be transferred indirectly, e.g. via the memory of an onboard computer system.
  • the data storage memory device is a removable memory
  • the data could be retained on the removable memory, with the removable memory acting as the portable data storage device 13.
  • the portable data storage device 13 may comprise a hard disk drive, a data tape, a flash drive, an SD card, or any other suitable form of electronic data storage device.
  • the data is transported to an intermediate data transmission installation 18, from where it is transmitted electronically or digitally using high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure 19 to a data repository 20.
  • intermediate data transmission installation 18 we mean any permanent or semipermanent installation (not a transient or movable structure such as a ship, submersible, semi-submersible or other ocean-going vehicle) with an established, and permanent high bandwidth data transfer communication link to the data repository 20.
  • the cost and /or speed of transmitting the data from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 to the data repository 20 may be reduced.
  • the transmission of the data to the data repository 20 may be carried out by any suitable electronic (analogue or digital) or optical data transfer technique or the like, and I or via a network, including a distributed data communication network.
  • the data may be transmitted along a point to point link, however, if transmitted over a network, a destination address may be obtained from the portable data storage device with the data, or added to the data prior to transmission using any suitable means.
  • the data repository 20 is data storage which can be accessed by a processor 30 which is configured to process seismic data stored in the data repository to produce an image of a subterranean formation.
  • the data repository 20 may comprise a data storage apparatus such as a computer memory or server at an on-shore location.
  • the on-shore location may be a data processing centre 21 as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 - 6.
  • the data repository 20 need not be at an on shore data processing centre 21 , and may instead be a remote data storage facility, e.g. cloud data storage, and any of the embodiments described above and illustrated in Figures 1 - 6 could be used to transfer the data to such a data repository.
  • the data may be processed by the processor 30 at an on-shore data processing centre 21.
  • An operator at the data processing centre may access the data in the data repository 20 and the processor 30 in order to process the data.
  • Figure 8a illustrates this embodiment schematically, where the data repository is a data storage apparatus located at the data processing centre
  • Figure 8b illustrates this embodiment schematically, where the data repository 20 is at a remote data storage facility.
  • the data may equally be processed by an operator working remotely from the data processing centre 21, the operator accessing the data repository 20 and the processor 30 via a network, including a distributed data communications network.
  • the processor 30 may be provided at a location remote from the data processing centre 21 , for example on the operator’s computer. This embodiment is illustrated schematically in Figure 8c.
  • the data repository 20 comprising a data storage facility which is accessible via a network, including a distributed data communications network for processing by an operator using a processor 30 provided on the operator’s computer.
  • a network including a distributed data communications network for processing by an operator using a processor 30 provided on the operator’s computer.
  • the data in the data repository 20 may be accessible for processing by multiple operators either using different processors, or a single processor.
  • processor (30) could be any configuration of processor or processors which is capable of processing seismic data to produce an image of a subterranean formation.
  • a plurality of seismic nodes are placed on the seabed. They may be arranged as a rectangular grid with a seismic node at each crossing, or they may be arranged in an irregular pattern. They are then left on the seabed for an extended period of time which could be several days, weeks, months or years.
  • the method may comprise transferring the data from a plurality of seismic nodes onto the portable data storage apparatus.
  • the disclosed technology could equally be applied to a seismic node 10 which is connected via a cable 30 to a container 28, such as a buoy, which floats on the ocean surface, the data storage memory 10b being provided in the container 28 and connected to the seismic sensor 10a in the seismic node 10 via the cable 30.
  • a container 28 such as a buoy, which floats on the ocean surface
  • the data storage memory 10b being provided in the container 28 and connected to the seismic sensor 10a in the seismic node 10 via the cable 30.
  • This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the data stored in the data stored memory 10b could be transferred or copied to the portable data storage device 13 by retrieving the buoy 28, and loading it onto the surface vessel 14, so that copying or transferring of the data from the data storage memory 10b to the portable storage device 13 is carried out on board the surface vessel 13.
  • an ROV I UAV could be used as described above, but with the ROV I UAV interacting with the buoy 28 instead of with the ocean bottom seismic node 10.
  • the disclosed technology could equally be applied to seismic data from seismic sensors in a streamer 24 towed behind the survey vessel 14, as illustrated in Figure 6.
  • the seismic data is transmitted to the survey vessel 14 via the cable 26 by which the streamer is towed, before transferred to the portable data storage device 13.
  • the data is then transmitted to the data repository 20 as described above in relation to Figures 1 - 5. It will be appreciated that seismic data from a plurality of sensors in a plurality of streamers could be transferred to the portable data storage device 13 before its transport to the intermediate transmission installation 18.
  • the data is transported to the intermediate data transmission installation 18 using an unmanned aerial vehicle 22 (UAV or drone).
  • UAV unmanned aerial vehicle
  • this is achieved by loading the portable data storage device 13 into cargo compartment of the UAV 22.
  • the data storage memory 10b in the seismic node 10 is a removable memory which is retrieved from the seismic node 10 either on the survey vessel 14 or on the sea bed 12 as described above, the data may be transported to the intermediate transmission installation by physically placing the removable memory onto or into the UAV 22.
  • the portable storage device 13 may be integral with the UAV 22, i.e. the UAV 22 may have a data storage memory.
  • the data once extracted from the seismic node 10 is stored in a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14, the data could be transferred, either via a wireless or wired connection, from that data storage device to the data storage memory of the UAV 22.
  • the UAV 22 could be connected to the seismic node 10 via a wired or wireless connection and the data transferred or copied directly from the data storage memory of the seismic node 10 to the data storage memory of the UAV 22.
  • the data is extracted from the seismic node 10 whilst the node 10 is on the sea bed 12, and stored in a data storage memory of an ROV/AUV 16
  • the UAV 22 could be connected to the ROV/AUV 16 via a wired or wireless connection and the data transferred or copied directly from the data storage memory of the ROV/AUV 22 to the data storage memory of the UAV 22.
  • the intermediate data transmission installation 18 is an offshore oil rig. It could, however comprise any other offshore installation which is permanently or semi-permanently positioned at an offshore location, and which is provided with high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure by means of which data can be transmitted electronically I digitally to shore.
  • the intermediate transmission installation 18 may be located on land in a location closer to the survey vessel 14 than the data repository 20.
  • the data repository 20 is located at an on-shore data processing centre 21. It will be appreciated that whilst the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 shows the use of an ROV I UAV 16 to transfer the data to the portable data storage device as illustrated in and described in relation to Figure 1, the location of the intermediate transmission installation 18 on land may be applied to any of the embodiments described above.
  • the intermediate transmission installation 18 is located on the same land mass as the data repository 20. In another embodiment, the intermediate transmission installation 18 is located on a different land mass to the data repository 20.
  • the intermediate transmission installation 18 may be located at the shoreline closest to the survey vessel 14, whilst the data repositoy 20 is provided at a data processing centre 21 located further inland, or at a more remote coastal location.
  • the intermediate transmission installation 18 could be located on an island close to the survey vessel 14, and the data processing centre 21 located on the mainland.
  • the high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure 19 may comprise fibre-optic cables, or any suitable high-speed wired or wireless connection.
  • Step a transferring or copying data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device
  • Step b transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation
  • Step c electronically transmitting the data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using a high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.

Abstract

A method of transmitting data from an off-shore seismic sensor, the method comprising, transferring or copying data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device, transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation, digitally / electronically transferring the data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using a high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.

Description

Method of and System for Transmitting Seismic Data from a Subsea Seismic
Sensor
The present disclosure relates to a method of transmitting seismic data from a subsea seismic sensor.
BACKGROUND
It is known to carry out an ocean bottom seismic survey by distributing a plurality of ocean bottom seismic nodes on the seabed in the area of interest. Some such seismic nodes are described as autonomous seismic nodes, and typically comprise at least one seismic sensor, a power supply unit, a processor, a battery and a data storage memory, all enclosed in a water-tight housing. Some autonomous seismic nodes also include a propulsion system which can be operated so that the autonomous seismic node can propel itself to a desired location on the sea bed.
Autonomous seismic nodes are essentially self-sufficient, and are not reliant on a connection to a vessel, buoy or the like. The node data storage memory is used to record and store the signals from each seismic sensor. These recorded signals comprise data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal, data which is generally, and will hereinafter be referred to as “seismic data”.
The seismic nodes can be deployed and retrieved either individually or in groups. Groups of nodes can be connected together by attaching nodes to ropes, cables and other devices, which are deployed into the ocean or retrieved by paying out or reeling in the cable with the nodes attached. Nodes can be deployed or retrieved individually by using either an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to place or collect each node on the ocean bottom. Nodes can also be discharged from a surface marine vessel to descend to the ocean bottom whether by un-guided free fall, by direction control systems and/or by propelled control systems.
Once a node is retrieved and taken on board the survey vessel, seismic data stored on the node is extracted and transferred onto a portable data storage device such as an external hard disc drive, or a data tape. It is also known to provide seismic nodes which are tethered to a buoy by means of a cable. Such a seismic node operates in much the same way as an autonomous node, and therefore has the same components, but these are distributed between the ocean bottom node and the buoy. In this case, the seismic node on the ocean bottom contains at least the or each seismic sensor, with one or more of the power supply unit, battery, processor and data storage memory being located on the buoy, power and I or signals from the seismic sensors being transmitted between the node and the buoy via the tethering cable. In this case, where the data storage memory is provided on the buoy, the seismic data may be collected by retrieving the buoy, and taking it on board the survey vessel, in order to extract the seismic data from the data storage memory.
It is also known to collect seismic data by mounting the seismic sensor or sensors in a cable (generally referred to as a “streamer”) which is towed behind the survey vessel. A plurality of sensors may be mounted on each streamer. The data gathered by the or each sensor in the streamer is transmitted directly to the survey vessel via the cable, where it is stored. The data can be transmitted directly onto a portable storage device such as an external hard disc drive or data tape. Alternatively, it could be transmitted to and stored on the memory of an on-board computer system, before being transferred or copied to a portable storage device.
The portable storage device is then physically transported to shore, and then on to a data processing centre where the data can be processed. The data storage device might be delivered to shore by the seismic survey vessel itself during a port call, by another vessel, or even by helicopter.
It will be appreciated that the physical transport of data to the data processing centre is time-consuming, especially where the survey carried out in a region in which the local transport infrastructure is not very well developed, and which is remote relative to the data processing centre. The physical transport of the data can therefore delay the production of the survey results. It can also be expensive, particularly if the helicopter or vessel has been chartered specifically for this purpose, and in the latter case, increases the overall level of exposure of personnel to hazards, particularly in the case where the data storage device is transported by helicopter.
The time taken to transmit the data to the data processing centre can be reduced, and the additional hazard exposure associated with the data transport can be eliminated by transmitting the data from the seismic survey vessel using a satellite communication link, but this is generally too expensive to be a viable option for most surveys using seismic nodes, as in these cases the seismic data arrives for distribution periodically in very large chunks rather than as a steady stream of data being received over a prolonged period of time.
The present disclosure relates to an alternative method of transmitting seismic data from a seismic node to shore.
SUMMARY
A first aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a method of transmitting data from an off-shore seismic sensor to a data repository, the method comprising, a) transferring or copying seismic data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device, b) transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation, c) electronically transmitting the seismic data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.
The seismic data comprises data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal.
By intermediate data transmission installation, we mean any permanent or semipermanent installation (not a transient or movable structure such as a ship, submersible, semi-subsersible or other ocean-going vehicle) with an established, and permanent Shigh bandwidth data transfer communication link to the data repository.
The high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure may comprise electrically conductive cables, fibre-optic cables, satellite communications system, or other methods of high bandwidth data transfer. Step “c” above may comprise electronically transmitting the seismic data over a network to the data repository. In some embodiments, the seismic data is transmitted over a distributed data communication network to the data repository.
The intermediate transmission installation may comprise an offshore installation, i.e. a structure which is permanently or semi-permanently positioned at an offshore location, and which is provided with high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure by means of which data can be transmitted electronically I digitally to shore.
The offshore installation may be an oil rig.
The intermediate transmission installation may be located on land.
The seismic sensor may be provided on a seismic node which is located on the seabed.
The seismic node may be an autonomous subsea seismic node which is located on the sea bed, and which further comprises a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
In this case, step “a” above may include retrieving the seismic node from the seabed, loading it onto the surface vessel, and copying or transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
In this case, the seismic node may be retrieved from the seabed using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Alternatively, the seismic node may comprise a floatation device, and step a may include operating the floatation device to increase the buoyancy of the seismic node such that it floats up to the surface of the sea, and lifting the seismic node from the sea surface onto the surface vessel. Further alternatively, step a may comprise using a line attached to the seismic node to haul the seismic node onto the surface vessel.
Alternatively, step “a” above may include transferring or copying the seismic data from the data storage memory whilst the seismic node is on the seabed. In this case, step “a” may comprise using an ROV or AUV having a data storage memory, operating the ROV or AUV to transfer or copy data stored in the storage memory of the seismic node to the memory of the ROV/UAV, and operating the ROV or AUV to transfer the said data from its memory onto the portable data storage device on board the surface vessel.
The seismic node may be connected to a container (such as a buoy) which floats on the ocean surface via a cable, the container having a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor via the cable and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
In this case, step “a” above may include retrieving the container, loading it onto a surface vessel, and copying or transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
The portable storage device may comprise a hard disk drive, a data tape, a flash drive, SD card or any other suitable form of portable electronic memory.
Step “b” above may comprise loading the data onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) and transporting the data to the intermediate data transmission installation by flying the UAV to the intermediate data transmission installation.
A second aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a system comprising an offshore seismic sensor, a portable data storage device, an intermediate transmission installation, a data repository and a high bandwidth data infra-structure between the intermediate transmission installation and the data repository, the system being configured to implement the method of the first aspect of the disclosed technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, of which
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in an alternative embodiment of method according at least some embodiments of the invention, Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data, and the elements used, in a further alternative embodiment of method according to at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 7a is a schematic illustration of the path of the seismic data in some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 7b is a schemaic illustration of the path of the seismic data in some alternative embodiments of the invention,
Figure 8a is a schematic illustration of one arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 8b is a schematic illustration of an alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 8c is a schematic illustration of a further alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 8d is a schematic illustration of a further alternative arrangement of data repository and processor suitable for use in at least some embodiments of the invention,
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the method according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to Figures 1 , 2 & 3, there is shown an autonomous seismic node 10 which is sitting on the seabed 12. The seismic node 10 comprises at least one sensor 10a and a data storage memory 10b.
The data storage memory 10b may be a flash drive, SD card, hard drive or any other suitable electronic memory.
The sensor 10a may be a seismic sensor such as a hydrophone, geophone, MEMS or optical sensor. The seismic node 10 may be provided with a plurality of such sensors. The seismic node 10 may also be provided with additional sensors, including, but not limited to inclinometers, rotation sensors, translation sensors, and heading sensors.
The sensor 10a and data storage memory 10b are typically contained in a watertight protective pressure resistant housing, along with a power source (such as a battery pack), processor (which may be programmed to execute instructions to the node, for example, to carry out quality control I assurance checks on the operation of the node, or manage data storage in the data storage memory) and a reference clock. Such autonomous seismic nodes are well known in the art, and are described in patents including US 9,523, 780, US 6,024,344, US 7,310,287, US 2,675,821, US 7,646,670, US7,883,393, US 8,427,900 and US 8,675,446. The housing may simply rest directly on the seafloor. Alternatively, the housing and its contents may be located in and attached to a seafloor casing, the seafloor casing having at least one surface which is in direct contact with the seabed, as described in US2021/0263174, for example. A plurality of such seismic nodes can be contained within the seafloor casing.
The data storage memory 10b is connected to the or each sensor 10a such that signals from the or each sensor 10a are stored in the data storage memory 10b. The recorded signals from the seismic sensor or sensors comprises data containing information about lithologic subsurface formations, obtained by applying an acoustic signal to the ground and receiving the reflected signal, data which is generally, and will hereinafter be referred to as “seismic data”. The data stored in the data storage memory 10b may also comprise other data, such as meta-data, or recorded signals from any additional sensors in the seismic node 10. Although not essential, the seismic node 10 could be provided with a processor which processes the signals from the or each sensor, the data stored in the data storage memory 10b comprising processed signals from the or each sensor 10a.
In one embodiment, the data stored in the data storage memory 10b is electronically transferred or copied onto a portable data storage device 13 on board a surface vessel (hereinafter referred to as the survey vessel 14).
In one embodiment, this is achieved by retrieving the seismic node 10 from the seabed and loading it onto the survey vessel 14.
The seismic node 10 may be attached to a deployment line 11 (e.g. as disclosed in US 7,883, 292 and US 2016/0041280) which during deployment of the seismic node 10 is dropped from the back deck of vessel so that the line 11 and attached seismic node 10 sinks to the sea bed. In this case, the seismic node 10 may be retrieved by hauling the deployment line from the survey vessel 14 until the attached seismic node 10 is also pulled onto the survey vessel 14, at which point it is detached from the deployment line 11. This method is illustrated schematically in Figure 3.
Alternatively, the seismic node 10 may include a floatation device 15, and a mechanism for activating the floatation device, retrieval of the seismic node 10 being achieved by triggering the mechanism to activate the floatation device and cause the seismic node to rise from the seabed. When the seismic node 10 reaches the sea surface, it may readily be retrieved using a net, hook or other such mechanical retrieval device operated from the survey vessel 14. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 4.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 & 2, however, the seismic node is retrieved from the seabed using an ROV or UAV 16, as disclosed in US 2021/0263174, and NO 20190977 for example.
The data may then be extracted electronically on board the survey vessel 14 via a wired or wireless connection to the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10.
Alternatively, the seismic node 10 could be left in place on the sea bed, and the data extracted from the data storage memory 10b in situ. This may be achieved by using an ROV or AU 16 having a data storage memory, operating the ROV/AUV 16 to transfer or copy data stored in the data storage apparatus of the seismic node 10 to the memory of the ROV/UAV 16, through a wired or wireless connection to the data storage memory 10b. When it surfaces, the ROV/AUV 16 could be connected to a data transfer interface (either through a wired or wireless connection) on the surface vessel, in order to transfer the data from the memory of the ROV to a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14, as disclosed in LIS20015/0316675, for example. Alternatively, where an ROV is used, and the ROV is connected to the survey vessel 14 by an umbilical, the data extracted from the data storage memory of the seismic node 10 may be transferred to a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14 via the umbilical.
As a further alternative, the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 could be a removable memory (a USB flash drive, SD card or any other suitable device), and could be removed from the seismic node 10 either on board the survey vessel 14, or by the ROV/UAV 16 whilst the seismic node 10 remains on the sea bed 12 and transported from the sea bed to the survey vessel 14 by the ROV/AUV 16.
In one embodiment, the data from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10, however extracted, is transferred directly onto the portable data storage device 13, but it could be transferred indirectly, e.g. via the memory of an onboard computer system. In an alternative embodiment, where the data storage memory device is a removable memory, the data could be retained on the removable memory, with the removable memory acting as the portable data storage device 13.
The portable data storage device 13 may comprise a hard disk drive, a data tape, a flash drive, an SD card, or any other suitable form of electronic data storage device.
Once on the portable storage device 13, the data is transported to an intermediate data transmission installation 18, from where it is transmitted electronically or digitally using high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure 19 to a data repository 20. By transported, we mean moved physically from one location to another. By intermediate data transmission installation 18, we mean any permanent or semipermanent installation (not a transient or movable structure such as a ship, submersible, semi-submersible or other ocean-going vehicle) with an established, and permanent high bandwidth data transfer communication link to the data repository 20. By virtue of transporting the data to the intermediate data transmission installation 18, and then using the established communications infrastructure of the intermediate data transmission installation 18 to electronically or digitally transmit the data to the data repository, the cost and /or speed of transmitting the data from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 to the data repository 20 may be reduced.
The transmission of the data to the data repository 20 may be carried out by any suitable electronic (analogue or digital) or optical data transfer technique or the like, and I or via a network, including a distributed data communication network. The data may be transmitted along a point to point link, however, if transmitted over a network, a destination address may be obtained from the portable data storage device with the data, or added to the data prior to transmission using any suitable means.
The data repository 20 is data storage which can be accessed by a processor 30 which is configured to process seismic data stored in the data repository to produce an image of a subterranean formation.
The movement of the seismic data from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 directly to the portable data storage device 13 and on to the the data repository 20 (where it is accessible by processor 30) via the high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure is illustrated schematically in Figure 7a. The movement of the seismic data where it is transferred indirectly from the data storage memory 10b of the seismic node 10 to the portable data storage device 13, i.e. via an intermediate memory 32 (which could be a memory of an ROV/AUV 16 or a memory of a computer system on board the survey vessel 14) is illustrated in Figure 7b. It should be appreciated, however, that more than one intermediate memory 32 could be used, for example the seismic data being transferred to a memory of an ROV/AUV 16, then to a memory of a computer system on board the survey vessel 14, before being transferred to the portable data storage device 13. The data repository 20 may comprise a data storage apparatus such as a computer memory or server at an on-shore location. The on-shore location may be a data processing centre 21 as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 - 6. It should be appreciated, however, that the data repository 20 need not be at an on shore data processing centre 21 , and may instead be a remote data storage facility, e.g. cloud data storage, and any of the embodiments described above and illustrated in Figures 1 - 6 could be used to transfer the data to such a data repository. Once in the data repository 20, the data may be processed by the processor 30 at an on-shore data processing centre 21. An operator at the data processing centre may access the data in the data repository 20 and the processor 30 in order to process the data. Figure 8a illustrates this embodiment schematically, where the data repository is a data storage apparatus located at the data processing centre, whilst Figure 8b illustrates this embodiment schematically, where the data repository 20 is at a remote data storage facility. The data may equally be processed by an operator working remotely from the data processing centre 21, the operator accessing the data repository 20 and the processor 30 via a network, including a distributed data communications network.
Alternatively, where the operator processes the data remotely from the data processing centre 21, accessing the data repository 20 via network (including a distributed data communication network), the processor 30 may be provided at a location remote from the data processing centre 21 , for example on the operator’s computer. This embodiment is illustrated schematically in Figure 8c.
In a further alternative embodiment, there is no data processing centre 21 as such, the data repository 20 comprising a data storage facility which is accessible via a network, including a distributed data communications network for processing by an operator using a processor 30 provided on the operator’s computer. This embodiment is illustrated schematically in Figure 8d.
It will be appreciated that in any of the embodiments described above the data in the data repository 20 may be accessible for processing by multiple operators either using different processors, or a single processor.
It will, therefore be appreciated that the processor (30) could be any configuration of processor or processors which is capable of processing seismic data to produce an image of a subterranean formation.
During a survey, typically a plurality of seismic nodes are placed on the seabed. They may be arranged as a rectangular grid with a seismic node at each crossing, or they may be arranged in an irregular pattern. They are then left on the seabed for an extended period of time which could be several days, weeks, months or years.
The method may comprise transferring the data from a plurality of seismic nodes onto the portable data storage apparatus. The disclosed technology could equally be applied to a seismic node 10 which is connected via a cable 30 to a container 28, such as a buoy, which floats on the ocean surface, the data storage memory 10b being provided in the container 28 and connected to the seismic sensor 10a in the seismic node 10 via the cable 30. This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 5.
In this case, the data stored in the data stored memory 10b could be transferred or copied to the portable data storage device 13 by retrieving the buoy 28, and loading it onto the surface vessel 14, so that copying or transferring of the data from the data storage memory 10b to the portable storage device 13 is carried out on board the surface vessel 13. Alternatively, an ROV I UAV could be used as described above, but with the ROV I UAV interacting with the buoy 28 instead of with the ocean bottom seismic node 10.
The disclosed technology could equally be applied to seismic data from seismic sensors in a streamer 24 towed behind the survey vessel 14, as illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the seismic data is transmitted to the survey vessel 14 via the cable 26 by which the streamer is towed, before transferred to the portable data storage device 13. The data is then transmitted to the data repository 20 as described above in relation to Figures 1 - 5. It will be appreciated that seismic data from a plurality of sensors in a plurality of streamers could be transferred to the portable data storage device 13 before its transport to the intermediate transmission installation 18.
In the embodiments described above, the data is transported to the intermediate data transmission installation 18 using an unmanned aerial vehicle 22 (UAV or drone). In one embodiment this is achieved by loading the portable data storage device 13 into cargo compartment of the UAV 22.
Where the data storage memory 10b in the seismic node 10 is a removable memory which is retrieved from the seismic node 10 either on the survey vessel 14 or on the sea bed 12 as described above, the data may be transported to the intermediate transmission installation by physically placing the removable memory onto or into the UAV 22.
The portable storage device 13 may be integral with the UAV 22, i.e. the UAV 22 may have a data storage memory. In this case, where the data, once extracted from the seismic node 10 is stored in a data storage device on board the survey vessel 14, the data could be transferred, either via a wireless or wired connection, from that data storage device to the data storage memory of the UAV 22.
Alternatively, where the seismic node 10 is retrieved from the sea bed 12 and brought to surface, the UAV 22 could be connected to the seismic node 10 via a wired or wireless connection and the data transferred or copied directly from the data storage memory of the seismic node 10 to the data storage memory of the UAV 22. Similarly, where the data is extracted from the seismic node 10 whilst the node 10 is on the sea bed 12, and stored in a data storage memory of an ROV/AUV 16, the UAV 22 could be connected to the ROV/AUV 16 via a wired or wireless connection and the data transferred or copied directly from the data storage memory of the ROV/AUV 22 to the data storage memory of the UAV 22.
In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 the intermediate data transmission installation 18 is an offshore oil rig. It could, however comprise any other offshore installation which is permanently or semi-permanently positioned at an offshore location, and which is provided with high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure by means of which data can be transmitted electronically I digitally to shore.
Alternatively, the intermediate transmission installation 18 may be located on land in a location closer to the survey vessel 14 than the data repository 20. In one such example illustrated in Figure 2, the data repository 20 is located at an on-shore data processing centre 21. It will be appreciated that whilst the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 shows the use of an ROV I UAV 16 to transfer the data to the portable data storage device as illustrated in and described in relation to Figure 1, the location of the intermediate transmission installation 18 on land may be applied to any of the embodiments described above.
In one embodiment, the intermediate transmission installation 18 is located on the same land mass as the data repository 20. In another embodiment, the intermediate transmission installation 18 is located on a different land mass to the data repository 20.
For example, the intermediate transmission installation 18 may be located at the shoreline closest to the survey vessel 14, whilst the data repositoy 20 is provided at a data processing centre 21 located further inland, or at a more remote coastal location. The intermediate transmission installation 18 could be located on an island close to the survey vessel 14, and the data processing centre 21 located on the mainland. The high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure 19 may comprise fibre-optic cables, or any suitable high-speed wired or wireless connection.
The methods described above can be summarised as illustrated schematically in Figure 9, the methods comprising the following step:
Step a - transferring or copying data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device,
Step b - transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation,
Step c - electronically transmitting the data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using a high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.
The claimed invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; instead reference should be made to the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A method of transmitting data from an off-shore seismic sensor, the method comprising, a) transferring or copying data generated by the seismic sensor onto a portable data storage device, b) transporting the portable data storage device to an intermediate data transmission installation, c) electronically transmitting the data from the portable data storage device to a data repository using a high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure provided between the intermediate data transmission installation and the data repository.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the high bandwidth data transfer infrastructure comprises electrically conductive cables, fibre-optic cables, or a satellite communications system.
3. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the intermediate data transmission installation comprises an offshore installation.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the offshore installation is an oil rig.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the intermediate transmission installation is located on land.
6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the seismic sensor is provided on a seismic node which is located on the seabed.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the seismic node is an autonomous subsea seismic node which further comprises a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor and which stores seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
8. A method according to claim 6 wherein step a includes retrieving the seismic node from the sea bed, loading it onto a surface vessel, and transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the seismic node is retrieved from the seabed using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).
10. A method according to claim 7 wherein step a includes using an ROV or AUV having a data storage memory, operating the ROV or AUV to transfer or copy data stored in the storage memory of the seismic node to the memory of the ROV/UAV, and operating the ROV or AUV to transfer the said data from its memory onto the portable data storage device on board a surface vessel.
11 . A method according to claim 7 wherein the seismic node comprises a floatation device, and step a includes operating the floatation device to increase the buoyancy of the seismic node such that it floats up to the surface of the sea, and lifting the seismic node from the sea surface onto the surface vessel.
12. A method according to claim 7 wherein step a comprises using a line attached to the seismic node to haul the seismic node onto the surface vessel.
13. A method according to claim 6 wherein the seismic node is connected to a container which floats on the ocean surface via a cable, the container having a data storage memory which is connected to the seismic sensor via the cable and which stores the seismic data generated by the seismic sensor.
14. A method according to claim 11 wherein step a includes retrieving the container, loading it onto a surface vessel, and copying or transferring the seismic data from the data storage memory to the portable storage device on board the surface vessel.
15. A method according to any preceding claim wherein step b comprises loading the data onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and transporting the data to the intermediate data transmission installation by flying the UAV to the intermediate data transmission installation.
16. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the data repository comprises on shore data storage.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the data repository comprises data storage located at an on shore data processing centre.
18. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the data repository is data storage which can be accessed by a processor which is configured to process seismic data stored in the data repository to produce an image of a subterranean formation.
19. A system comprising an off-shore seismic sensor, a portable data storage device, an intermediate transmission installation, a data repository and a high bandwidth data infra-structure between the intermediate transmission installation and the data repository, the system being configured to implement the method of any preceding claim.
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