Efficient Poly-Azimuth 3D Seismic in High Ocean Currents.

A new and efficient marine acquisition methodology is introduced, designed to obtain multi, wide and rich azimuth data in the presence of high ocean currents. In addition to increasing the azimuth diversity, the system displays a number of operational cost saving characteristics. The system can be deployed in high current areas that would otherwise prove too economically and technically challenging for conventional narrow azimuth (NAZ) acquisition. The methodology results in a more equal distribution of seismic trace offsets and azimuths in both the in-line and cross-line directions, thereby improving the final 3D seismic image.