Determining the position of a towed seismic sensor array using transponders anchored on the seabed

摘要

A method for streamer 18 positioning during marine seismic exploration includes determining a designated location for each of one or more transponders 230 based on a survey area, such as at the perimeter of the survey area (fig 3A). Each transponder is anchored 233 to the sea floor. A marine seismic survey is then performed over the survey area with a marine-towed seismic sensor array, where multiple transceivers 20 are moved along with the seismic sensor array during the marine seismic survey. Signals (e.g. acoustic signals) are communicated between the plurality of transceivers and each transponder so as to determine positions of the plurality of transceivers. The transponders may be remotely released from a tether 232 so that they can be recovered and re-used when surveying another area.