Enhanced Streamer Positioning for 3D and 4D Seismic

Streamer positioning technology has evolved from streamer shape computations based on magnetic compasses to hybrid systems combining compasses with limited acoustic sensors to improve positioning errors. Correlated positioning errors can have a detrimental impact on the resolution of 3D surveys. The potential impact on 4D seismic is even more serious. These problems can be addressed by the use of more rigorous fully cross-braced acoustic positioning networks. Such networks can improve positioning accuracy by 60% and facilitate the use of steerable streamers for minimizing streamer separation, streamer offset from obstructions and errors in repeatability for 4D seismic monitoring surveys.