Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/294,110, filed on Feb. 11, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Techniques for marine geophysical surveying include seismic surveying and electromagnetic surveying, in which geophysical data may be collected from below the Earth&#39;s surface. Geophysical surveying has applications in mineral and energy exploration and production to help identify locations of hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Certain types of marine geophysical surveying, such as seismic or electromagnetic surveying, may include towing an energy source at a selected depth—typically above the seafloor—in a body of water. One or more streamers also may be towed in the water at selected depths—typically above the seafloor—by the same or a different vessel. The streamers are typically cables that include a plurality of sensors disposed thereon at spaced apart locations along the length of the cable. Some geophysical surveys locate sensors on ocean bottom cables or nodes in addition to, or instead of, streamers. The energy sources may be configured to generate a signal that is related to a parameter being measured by the sensor. At selected times, the energy source may be actuated to generate, for example, seismic or electromagnetic energy that travels downwardly into the subsurface rock. Energy that interacts with interfaces, generally at the boundaries between layers of rock formations, may be returned toward the surface and detected by the sensors on the streamers. The detected energy may be used to infer certain properties of the subsurface rock, such as structure, mineral composition and fluid content, thereby providing information useful in the recovery of hydrocarbons. 
         [0003]    Unfortunately, marine organisms may adhere to and then grow on nearly everything that is placed in water for extended periods of time, including marine geophysical sensor cables, such as towed streamers or ocean-bottom cables. For convenience, any such marine geophysical sensor cable will be referred to herein as a “streamer.” A streamer may include a marine streamer that comprises seismic sensors, electromagnetic sensors, or any combination thereof. 
         [0004]    Marine growth (also known as biofouling) often refers to barnacle growth but is intended to also include the growth of mussels, oysters, algae, bacteria, tubeworms, slime, and other marine organisms. This marine growth is particularly problematic with streamers as the marine growth can increase drag resistance of the streamer, leading to increased fuel costs and/or reduced production speed. An additional problem with marine growth includes reduced data quality due to increased noise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a marine seismic survey that employs a streamer cleaning apparatus on the survey vessel. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of a streamer cleaning apparatus. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a dissected view of the streamer cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a frontal view of the streamer cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a cross sectional view of the streamer cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment that employs a streamer cleaning apparatus on recovery or deployment of a streamer. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment that employs a streamer cleaning apparatus on recovery or deployment of a streamer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an embodiment of a workboat scraper. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  illustrates another embodiment of a workboat scraper. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an embodiment of a streamer guide assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  illustrates spring loaded arms in a closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  illustrates spring loaded arms in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to particular devices or methods, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. All numbers and ranges disclosed herein may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. Although individual embodiments are discussed herein, the invention covers all combinations of all those embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the word “may” is used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include,” and derivations thereof, mean “including, but not limited to.” The term “coupled” means directly or indirectly connected. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patents or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted for the purposes of understanding this disclosure. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a marine geophysical survey system  2  that employs a streamer cleaning apparatus  4  is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. As will be discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be used to clean a streamer  6 . The streamer  6  may include a long cable (or other elongated structure) on which geophysical sensors  14  may be disposed at spaced apart locations along the length of the streamer  6 . A streamer cleaning system may be formed by the streamer  6  and the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosure may use the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  to remove saltwater, other residues or contaminants, and/or marine growths from the streamer  6 . In another embodiment, a survey vessel  8  may include a plurality of the streamer cleaning apparatuses  4  configured to clean multiple streamers  6 . 
         [0020]    In the illustrated embodiment, the marine geophysical survey system  2  may include a survey vessel  8  on which the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be employed. The survey vessel  8  may move along the surface of a body of water  10 , such as a lake or ocean. The survey vessel  8  may include thereon equipment, shown generally at  12  and collectively referred to herein as a “recording system.” The recording system  12  may include devices (none shown separately) for detecting and making a time indexed record of signals generated by each of geophysical sensors  14  (explained further below) and for actuating energy source  16  at selected times. The recording system  12  may also include devices (none shown separately) for determining the geodetic position of the survey vessel  8  and the various geophysical sensors  14 . 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the survey vessel  8  or another vessel may tow at least one streamer  6  on which geophysical sensors  14  may be disposed. As illustrated, the energy source  16  and streamer  6  may be towed above the water bottom  18 . The streamer  6  may be a towed marine seismic streamer, a towed marine electromagnetic streamer, or a combination thereof. While not shown, some marine seismic surveys locate geophysical sensors  14  on ocean bottom cables or nodes in addition to, or instead of, a streamer  6 . As illustrated, the geophysical sensors  14  may be disposed at spaced apart locations on the streamer  6 . The geophysical sensors  14  may be, without limitation, seismic sensors such as geophones, hydrophones, or accelerometers, or electromagnetic field sensors, such as electrodes or magnetometers. The geophysical sensors  14  may generate response signals, such as electrical or optical signals, in response to detecting energy emitted from the energy source  16  after the energy has interacted with formations  20  below the water bottom  18 . In some embodiments, more than one streamer  6  may be towed by the survey vessel  8  or another vessel, and the streamers  6  may be spaced apart laterally, vertically, or both laterally and vertically. The detected energy may be used to infer certain properties of the subsurface rock, such as structure, mineral composition, and fluid content, thereby providing information useful in the recovery of hydrocarbons. 
         [0022]    In accordance with embodiments, a geophysical data product may be produced. The geophysical data product may include geophysical data and may be stored on a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium. The geophysical data product may be produced offshore (i.e. by equipment on a vessel) or onshore (i.e. at a facility on land) either within the United States or in another country. If the geophysical data product is produced offshore or in another country, it may be imported onshore to a facility in the United States or another country. Once onshore, geophysical analysis, including further data processing, may be performed on the geophysical data product. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be located on the survey vessel  8 . As illustrated, the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be located at or near the stern  722  of the survey vessel  8  so that the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be proximate the streamer  6  during its recovery from, and/or deployment into, the body of water  10 . In particular embodiments, the streamer  6  may be moved into position for cleaning. Moving the streamer  6  into position may include, for example, recovering the streamer  6  from and/or deploying the streamer  6  into the body of water  10 . Cleaning the streamer  6  may include passing the streamer  6  through streamer cleaning apparatus  4  secured to survey vessel  8 . The streamer  6  may be cleaned as it is being recovered from body of water  10  and/or deployed into body of water  10 , for example, to remove saltwater, other residues or contaminants, and/or marine growths from the streamer  6 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may comprise a housing  5  which may comprise individual cleaning elements. For example, scraper lamellas  9  may be coupled to the housing  5 . The housing  5  may be of any suitable shape, including a tubular shape, as shown on  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  5  may be in the form of a metallic tubular frame-like structure and may include an inlet  21  configured to receiver the streamer  6 . Inlet  21  may comprise front streamer guide  13 . Housing  5  may further comprise an outlet  23  configured to dispatch the streamer  6 . Outlet  23  may comprise a rear streamer guide  15 . The front streamer guide  13  may be any suitable shape for guiding the streamer  6  through the housing  5 . For example, the front streamer guide  13  may have an opening that is circular, semi-circular, or otherwise formed for receiving the streamer  6 . As illustrated, housing  5  may include a plurality of struts  28  that extend from inlet  21  to outlet  23 . In some embodiments, the struts  28  may include tabs  29  coupled to the spring loaded arms  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the struts  28  includes a tab  29  at the inlet  21  of housing  5 . 
         [0025]    Scraper lamellas  9  may be arranged to contact the streamer  6  as it passes through the housing  5 . For example, the scraper lamellas  9  may scrape the streamer  6  as the streamer  6  is being passed through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . The scraper lamellas  9  may be arranged to form an opening to receive the streamer  6 . As it is being passed through, the scraper lamellas  9  engage with the exterior surface  19  of the streamer  6  to remove undesirable material, such as saltwater, other residues or contaminants, and/or marine growths, from the streamer  6 . A spring  17  may bias the scraper lamellas  9  to provide a scraping force sufficient for removal of the undesirable material from the exterior surface  19 . As illustrated, the scraper lamellas  9  may be a thin flat scale, membrane, or layer. The scraper lamellas  9  may be made from any suitable material, including, without limitation, plastic and/or metal. The scraper lamellas  9  may be a plate (e.g., a flat plate) with a concave radius adjusted to the streamer diameter, or slightly larger. The thickness may be between about 2 to about 15 mm depending on the material used. While not illustrated, the edge of the scraper lamellas  9  in contact with the exterior surface  19  of the streamer  6  may taper to provide increased friction at the contact point. The lamella material may be rigid or flexible. The scraper lamellas  9  may be evenly spaced in the housing  5 . The angle of the scraper lamellas  9  relative to the streamer may be from perpendicular to 45°. In certain embodiments, the scraper lamellas  9  may be fixed. In alternative embodiments, the scraper lamellas  9  may be adjustable. The scraper lamellas  9  may be configured to adapt to a shape of the streamer  6 , and may be configured to clean circular and non-circular areas of the streamer  6 . In at least one embodiment, the scraper lamellas  9  may be configured to remove particles/contaminants on sections of streamer  6  comprising a radiused profile as well as sections of streamer  6  or streamer  6  mounted components comprising a generally flat profile. 
         [0026]    The scraper lamellas  9  may clean (scrape) the streamer  6  as it passes through streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . The housing  5  may further comprise multiple spring loaded arms  11  which may include a spring  17 , which may be a gas spring, mechanical spring, or other suitable spring element for biasing the scraper lamellas  9 . The scraper lamellas  9  may be coupled to the spring loaded arms  11 . Each spring loaded arm  11  may be coupled to a single scraper lamella  9 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Moreover, each spring loaded arm  11  may be coupled to a single strut  28 . By way of example, each spring loaded arm  11  may be connected to a tab  29  that extends from a strut  28 . Techniques for coupling/attachment throughout the present disclosure may include, without limitation, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, welds, threads or any combination thereof. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2C , a front end view of the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  is provided. Front streamer guide  13  may guide the streamer  6  (e.g., shown on  FIG. 2A ) as the streamer  6  enters the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . As illustrated, the scraper lamellas  9  may be positioned along an inner diameter of the housing  5 . In the illustrated embodiment, the scraper lamellas  9  are be positioned around the housing  5  in the form of a ring so that the scraper lamellas  9  may contact streamer  6  as it passes through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . By way of example, the scraper lamellas  9  may be circumferentially arranged around the housing  5  to form a ring with a through opening  30  through which the streamer  6  passes. While  FIG. 2C  illustrates the eight scraper lamellas  9 , it should be understood that present embodiments may encompass more or less than eight scraper lamellas  9  as may be desired for a particular application. As illustrated, each of the scraper lamellas  9  may have a corresponding spring loaded arm  11  and spring  17 . 
         [0028]    With additional reference to  FIG. 2D , the position of the spring  17  may be adjusted via apertures  19  located on each spring loaded arm  11 . The adjustment may allow for more or less pressure applied to the streamer  6  via scraper lamellas  9 . Also, the scraper lamellas  9  may be adjusted to clean streamers  6  of any suitable diameter, including, but not limited to, from about ranging in diameter from about 20 mm to about 100 mm or from 50 mm to about 100. However, the streamer  6  may also have a diameter that is larger or small than the example ranges disclosed herein. The scraper lamellas  9  may move individually as they contact the streamer, thus enabling adaptation to the shape of streamer  6 . An advantage with this design may be that the scraper lamellas  9  may remove barnacles and algae in non-circular streamer areas and near modules positioned on streamer. These areas may especially be exposed to barnacle growth. This design may allow scraping off of contaminants, such as, for example, barnacles and slime/algae from the streamer  6  during recovery or deployment of streamer  6 . The geometry of the scraper lamellas  9 , along with the use of a spring  17  (or similar) may allow the scraping force for each of the scraper lamellas  9  to be the substantially constant on the exterior surface  19  of the streamer  6  as for larger diameter modules mounted on the streamer  6 . The scraping force applied by the scraper lamellas  9  may be considered substantially constant if it is within 10%, 5%, or even less. The scraping force range may be from approximately 5 to 30 kg at the edge of the scraper lamellas  9  (10-70 lb). A biasing force may be provided with the spring loaded arms  11  to the scraper lamellas  9  as the streamer  6  passes through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . For example, the spring loaded arms  11  may be configured to move individually and configured to provide a biasing force to the scraper lamellas  9 . The amount of engagement should be sufficient to assure that the scraper lamellas  9  effectively clean the exterior of the streamer  6 , but should provide sufficiently low engagement force to enable relatively free movement of the housing  5  along the streamer  6 . The internal diameter of a ring formed by the scraper lamellas  9  in an uncompressed configuration (i.e., without any outward pressure being applied from the streamer  6 ) may less than an external diameter of the streamer  6 . For example, the internal diameter of the ring formed by the scraper lamellas  9  can thus be slightly smaller than the nominal external diameter of the streamer  6  when the scraper lamellas  9  are not compressed by contact with the streamer  6 . When the scraper lamellas  9  are not compressed, the diameter may be approximately 30 mm, compared to the nominal external diameter of streamer  6  that may be 63 mm. Power input (power source) may not be needed for the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 , as the scraping action may utilize the relative streamer  6  speed (e.g., about 0 m/s to about 2 m/s) as streamer  6  may be reeled onto, or off, streamer  6  spools or winches. As mentioned above, due to self-adjusting spring mechanisms (spring loaded arms  11 ), the scraper lamellas  9  may adapt to the streamer  6  shape and diameter transitions. This may allow the scraper lamellas  9  to access flat spots on streamer  6 . The scraper lamellas  9  may also adapt to, and clean, larger diameter streamer equipment such as, for example, connectors, connector covers, and/or quick-cuffs. 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1 to 2D , a method for using the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  in cleaning the streamer  6  will now be described in more detail. As best seen on  FIG. 2A , the streamer  6  may be passed through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . The streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be secured to the survey vessel  8 . By way of example, the streamer  6  may be passed through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  during recovery onto the survey vessel  8  or deployment into the body of water  10 . Embodiments, however, should not be limited to use of the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  with the survey vessel  8 , and it should be understood that embodiments may include use of the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  with other types of vessels, such as workboat  33  (e.g., shown on  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). As the streamer  6  is being passed through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 , the scraper lamellas  9  may scrape the streamer  6 . More particularly, the scraper lamellas  9  may engage the exterior surface  19  of the streamer  6  to remove undesirable material, such as saltwater, other residues or contaminants, and/or marine growths, from the streamer  6 . The spring loaded arms  11  may provide a biasing force to the scraper lamellas  9  such that the scraper lamellas  9  engage the streamer  6  with a scraping force for cleaning. The scraper lamellas  9  and spring loaded arms  11  may be configured such that the scraper lamellas  9  each provide a substantially constant scraping force to the streamer  6 , regardless of diameter. In addition, the spring loaded arms  11  should allow the scraper lamellas  9  to each individually move, enabling adaptation to the shape of streamer  6 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment is illustrated that employs the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  on recovery of the streamer  6 . Streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be coupled to tow block  22  on survey vessel  8 , for example, with mounting arm  25 . As illustrated, the streamer  6  may be recovered onto the stern  7  of the survey vessel  8 . For example, the streamer  6  may be reeled onto spool  24  located on survey vessel  8 . The streamer  6  may be retrieved in the direction indicated by arrow  27 . In some embodiments, a tow block  22  or other suitable device may be used to aid in distribution of the streamer  6  on the spool  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be disposed on the stern  7  of the survey vessel  8  to clean the streamer  6  as it is being recovered from a body of water (e.g., body of water  10  on  FIG. 1 ). The streamer  6  may be passed through the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  prior to storage on the spool  24 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be used during deployment of the streamer  6 . Cleaning of the streamer  6  on deployment may be used in place of, or in addition to, cleaning on recovery, for example, as described above. In some embodiments, it may be desired to use the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  on recovery even where cleaning may also be employed on deployment to prevent marine growth on the streamer  6  while stored on the spool  24 . As illustrated, the streamer  6  may be stored on the spool  24 . The streamer  6  may be unwound from the spool  24  and deployed in the body of water  10 . The tow block  22  may help facilitate removal of the streamer  6  from the spool  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the streamer  6  may move towards the body of water  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) during deployment, indicated by arrow  32 . 
         [0032]    In alternate embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be on or over the stern  7  of the survey vessel  8  and may be stabilized by tethering member  26  which may be in the form of a telescopic arm, for example, which can be anchored to a fixed point on the survey vessel  8 . In addition to providing stability, the telescopic arm may enable recovery of the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  to a working area on the survey vessel  8  for maintenance. In at least one embodiment, the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be attached to other structures on a streamer deck of the survey vessel  8 , such as the aft railing, winch, and/or spool either via stiff members, wires, lines or ropes, for example. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an embodiment of the present disclosure that may allow for automating cleaning (e.g., cleaning of barnacles, salt deposits, etc.) of streamers  6  on a workboat  33  using the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . The streamer cleaning apparatus  4 , which may also may be referred to as a scraper mechanism or cleaning mechanism, may be adapted for cleaning from a workboat  33  with higher efficiency as compared to existing workboat scraper approaches. Streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be attached to streamer guide assembly  35  of workboat  33 , the streamer  6  extending through the streamer guide assembly  35 . Streamer guide assembly  35  may be attached to a side of workboat  33  and may include mounting arm  31 , tension spring  37 , grip handle  39  and weak link  41 . Tension spring  37  may assist mounting arm  31  in raising streamer cleaning apparatus  4  from streamer  6  and lowering streamer cleaning apparatus  4  onto streamer  6 . Grip handle  39  may assist in pulling/detaching streamer cleaning apparatus  4  from streamer  6 . Weak link  41  may be positioned between mounting arm  31  and streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . Weak link  41  may serve as a safety mechanism if an unintended object is stuck in the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . Weak link  41  may prevent damage on other workboat equipment by allowing detachment of streamer cleaning apparatus  4  from mounting arm  31 . Weak link  41  may include, for example, a shear pin with a pre-selected tension before failure. While not shown, weak link  41  may also be used with the embodiment of  FIG. 3  for attachment of streamer cleaning apparatus  4  to tow block  22  (or other suitable device) on survey vessel  8 . 
         [0034]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , streamer  6  may be lifted above a body of water  10  with streamer guide assembly  35 . Streamer guide assembly  35  may include a lifting/lowering mechanism for raising streamer  6  from the body of water  10  and lowering streamer  6  into the body of water  10 . The streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may be positioned onto streamer  6 , and workboat  33  may be driven along streamer  6  so that the scraper lamellas  9  (shown on  FIG. 2C ) may remove barnacles, slime/algae, or other undesired materials. The typical speed of the workboat  33  relative to the streamer  6  may be about 1-2 m/s.  FIG. 5B  illustrates streamer cleaning apparatus  4  detached from streamer  6 . Spring loaded arms  11  may be opened in order to detach the streamer cleaning apparatus  4  from the streamer  6  when passing streamer equipment, such as streamer positioning devices (e.g., birds), acoustic pingers, etc. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an alternative embodiment of streamer guide assembly  35 . In this embodiment, streamer guide assembly  35  may include at least two lines  42  (e.g., ropes, wires) coupled to streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . As illustrated, two lines  42  are shown, however, streamer guide assembly  35  may include more than two lines  42 . Lines  42  may position/suspend streamer cleaning apparatus  4  onto streamer  6 . Lines  42  may include weak links  41  which may allow detachment of streamer cleaning apparatus  4  from streamer guide assembly  35  if an unintended object is stuck in the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 . If an unintended object is stuck in the streamer cleaning apparatus  4 , lines  42  may break/detach at weak links  41 , thus, preventing damage to other workboat equipment. While not shown, lines  42  may also be used with the embodiment of  FIG. 3  for attachment of streamer cleaning apparatus  4  to tow block  22  (or other suitable device) on survey vessel  8 . 
         [0036]    In alternate embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , each spring loaded arm  11  may include handle  34  to open or close each spring loaded aim  11 .  FIG. 6A  shows spring loaded arm  11  in a closed position. When in a closed position, scraper lamellas  9  may exert a compressive force against streamer  6 . Spring loaded arm  11  may be opened by pulling the handle  34  in the direction of arrow  36 . This handle  34  may be opened and closed manually or by a mechanical and/or electrical system attached to the handle  34 .  FIG. 6B  shows spring loaded arm  11  in an open position. When in an open position, scraper lamellas  9  may not exert a compressive force against streamer  6 . Spring loaded arm  11  may be closed by pulling the handle  34  in the direction of arrow  38 . 
         [0037]    The streamer cleaning apparatus  4  may reduce marine growth on the streamer  6  where used in the body of water  10 , which can result in several advantages. By way of example, the reduction of marine growth may reduce drag on the streamer  6 , allowing towing through the body of water  10  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) with a higher energy efficiency. With a reduced drag, fuel costs may be reduced for the same survey configuration or a greater towing capacity may be utilized at the same fuel costs. Moreover, reduction in marine growth on the streamer  6  may also reduce eddy formations resulting in a reduction in noise from a turbulent flow. 
         [0038]    Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in the disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive unless states otherwise. The above description is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0039]    The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature of combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Various advantages of the present disclosure have been described herein, but embodiments may provide some, all, or none of such advantages, or may provide other advantages.

Technology Category: 7