Multiple receiver line deployment and recovery

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a deck having a plurality of seismic sensor devices stored thereon, two remotely operated vehicles, each comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment, and a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container for transfer of one or more of the seismic sensor devices from the vessel to the sensor storage compartment of at least one of the two remotely operated vehicles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to transfer seismic equipment in a marine environment, comprising:
 a remotely operated vehicle comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment to store a first plurality of OBS units, the seismic sensor storage compartment coupled to the remotely operated vehicle; and   a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container to house and transport a second plurality of OBS units from a deck of a marine vessel to the seismic sensor storage compartment of the remotely operated vehicle,   wherein the remotely operated vehicle:
 operates at a first speed different from a second speed at which the marine vessel operates, and 
 places an OB S unit of the first plurality of OB S units or the second plurality of OBS units on a seabed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first crane coupled to the marine vessel;   a second crane coupled to the marine vessel;   the remotely operated vehicle coupled to the first crane; and   the seismic sensor transfer device coupled to the second crane.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising:
 the second crane configured to position the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising:
 the second crane configured to position the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location based on an intermittent time interval.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising:
 the remotely operated vehicle configured to mate with the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location to transfer one or more of the first plurality of OBS units or the second plurality of OBS units therebetween.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a cable to support the seismic sensor transfer device behind the marine vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a cable to tow the seismic sensor transfer device behind the marine vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the seismic sensor transfer device comprises at least one of a rack or a tray to facilitate transfer of the second plurality of OBS units. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the seismic sensor transfer device includes at least one of a propulsion system, a motor, or an on-board power supply. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the seismic sensor transfer device and the seismic sensor storage compartment comprises at least one of a container, a drone, a skid structure, a transfer skid, a basket, a rack, and a magazine. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring seismic equipment in a marine environment, comprising:
 storing, in a seismic sensor storage compartment coupled to a remotely operated vehicle, a first plurality of OBS units; and   transporting, by a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container to house and transport a second plurality of OBS units, the second plurality of OBS units from a deck of a marine vessel to the seismic sensor storage compartment of the remotely operated vehicle;   operating, by the remote operated vehicle, at a first speed different from a second speed at which the marine vessel operates;   placing, by the remotely operated vehicle, an OBS unit of the first plurality of OBS units or the second plurality of OBS units on a seabed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 providing a first crane is coupled to the marine vessel;   providing a second crane coupled to the marine vessel;   providing the remotely operated vehicle coupled to the first crane; and   providing the seismic sensor transfer device coupled to the second crane.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 positioning, by the second crane, the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 positioning, by the second crane, the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location based on an intermittent time interval.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 mating the remotely operated vehicle with the seismic sensor transfer device at a subsurface location to transfer one or more of the first plurality of OBS units or the second plurality of OBS units therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 supporting, by a cable attached to a portion of the marine vessel, the seismic sensor transfer device behind the marine vessel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 towing, by a cable attached to a portion of the marine vessel, the seismic sensor transfer device behind the marine vessel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 transferring, by at least one of a rack or a tray of the seismic sensor transfer device, the second plurality of OBS units.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 providing the seismic sensor transfer device with at least one of a propulsion system, a motor, or an on-board power supply.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the seismic sensor transfer device and the seismic sensor storage compartment comprises at least one of a container, a drone, a skid structure, a transfer skid, a basket, a rack, and a magazine.