Patent ID: 7016260
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A system for acquiring of seismic data relative to an underwater underground formation, comprising: a central control and acquisition station; relay buoys which float on water, the buoys each including a control module, a positioning signal receiver providing satellite positioning of the buoy, and a radio transmitter for exchanging data with the central control and acquisition station; bottom seismic signal acquisition stations, the bottom seismic signal acquisition stations each including a sealed body including a pressure detector and associated with a part or boom provided with a housing for seismic receivers, the bottom seismic signal acquisition stations descending under an effect of gravity to a water body bottom and penetrate the bottom so as to couple the seismic receivers with the underground formation to obtain the seismic data relative to the underwater underground formation, a control unit and a device for acquiring seismic data received by the seismic receivers in the part or boom and by the pressure detector; and wherein the relay buoys and bottom seismic acquisition stations are each provided with an acoustic transmission device including an acoustic transponder, an acoustic positioning module and an acoustic communication module for exchanging, by modem via the acoustic transponder, either positioning data, control data from the central control and acquisition station or seismic data acquired by the seismic receivers to be transmitted to the central control and acquisition station.