Patent ID: 8183868
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A steerable horizontal electric dipole source system for underwater deployment as a moving source in electromagnetic surveying of subsurface regions for hydrocarbons, comprising: (a) a head electrode and a tail electrode, connected by a flexible streamer to form a dipole, said head electrode being adapted to connect to a tow cable, said electrodes being made of an electrically conducting material; (b) a first lateral control means for changing position of the head electrode in a lateral (horizontal) plane when the source is submerged in water; (c) a vertical control means adapted to decouple the head electrode from tow cable force variations when the source is submerged in water; (d) a position-locating sensor located near the head electrode, adapted to determine instantaneous position of the head electrode; and (e) control electronics and electrical connections between the position-locating sensor and the first lateral control means, such that the first lateral control means are adjustable in real time based on the instantaneous position of the head electrode.