Focus on Operational Efficiency and Crew Safety - Introducing Advanced ROV Technology in Marine Towed Streamer Seismic

Barnacles have been hampering the seismic industry since the start of the offshore seismic era. They attach to the streamer and impact signal to noise. Particularly in the areas close to the equator, there is a constant fight against the barnacles. In-sea cleaning of streamers is typically performed from workboat, exposing the crews to risk.

A method is presented that removes the human interaction in barnacle cleaning and at the same time significantly improves cleaning window and hence operational efficiency. The method is based on a recently developed Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Unlike traditional ROV’s, typically operated close to zero forward speed, this ROV is launched and operated at seismic speed. The ROV is launched off the deck of support vessels capable of operating over the streamer spread. A typical operational mode for the ROV is to carry self-propelled streamer cleaners and place them on the streamer while at operational depth. The streamer cleaners then travels along the streamer while performing the cleaning duty and are finally recovered by the ROV after having reached the streamer tail end.