COMPUTATION OF SIGNATURES OF LINEAR AIRGUN ARRAYS*

Far-field signatures from an airgun array are usually obtained by carrying out extensive field measurements. In order to decrease the need for such measurements, we have developed a method for computing signatures from linear airgun arrays where the distances between the airguns are such that the non-linear interaction among the airguns is negligible. The signature from a single airgun of a given type is computed from the following airgun parameters: airgun chamber volume, chamber pressure, airgun depth and position of the waveshape plate within the chamber. For calibration purposes, a recorded signature for one set of airgun parameters has to be provided for each type of airgun. The signatures are computed by using empirical relations between signature properties and the airgun parameters, and by treating the primary and bubble pulses separately. The far-field signature from a linear airgun array can now be computed by summation of the delayed signatures from the airguns in the array. Practical results are shown for an array with different PAR (Bolt) 1500 C airguns.     

INTERACTION BETWEEN AIRGUNS*

In the design of linear airgun arrays the interaction between the airguns is usually neglected. We review the different formulae which have been proposed for the minimum separation between airguns at which the interaction is negligible. These formulae can all be approximated by a linear function of a single variable. We have analyzed a large number of measurements in order to establish the amount of interaction between two airguns of various volumes at different pressures and depths. The resulting far-field signature has been measured and compared with the sum of the signatures from the two airguns measured in the same experimental situation. The changes in primary pulse amplitude, bubble period and primary/bubble peak-to-peak amplitude ratio were computed from the measurement data as a function of airgun separation, chamber volume, chamber pressure and airgun depth. The influence of a waveshape kit was investigated, and the effects of interaction and the effects of using a waveshape kit were compared.     

An Experimental Study on Modulating the Large Volume Airgun Array Signals through Asynchronous Excitation

Large volume airgun arrays have been widely used in exploring and monitoring underground structures for nearly a decade. Nowadays, large volume airgun arrays adopt the synchronous excitation mode, and source characteristics are controlled by the source signal of a single airgun, which to some extent limits its application. In order to realize the asynchronous excitation of the airgun array, we developed a new firing system for the airgun array, and carried out a field experiment in the Binchuan Fixed Airgun Signal Transmission station to study the influences of the asynchronous excitation on the source signal. The experimental results show that:the newly developed airgun array firing system can ignite the airguns according to the setting time series with high precision. By designing the excitation time series, the asynchronous excitation can enhance the energy of airgun source signal at 3-5Hz, and reduce the energy of pressure pulse wave at 6-18Hz. The signal detection capability of the asynchronous excitation with time series mode is equivalent to the synchronous excitation.     

TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON AIRGUN SIGNATURES1

Experiments in an 850 litre water tank were performed in order to study temperature effects on airgun signatures, and to achieve a better understanding of the physical processes that influence an airgun signature. The source was a bolt airgun with a chamber volume of 1.6 cu.in. The pressure used was 100 bar and the gun depth was 0.5 m. The water temperature in the tank was varied between 5°C and 45°C. Near-field signatures were recorded at different water temperatures. Typical signature characteristics such as the primary-to-bubble ratio and the bubble time period increased with increasing water temperature. For comparison and in order to check whether this is valid for larger guns, computer modelling of airguns with chamber volumes of 1.6 and 40 cu.in. was performed. In the modelling the same behaviour of the signatures with increasing water temperature can be observed. The increase in the primary-to-bubble ratio and the bubble time period with increasing water temperature can be explained by an increased mass transfer across the bubble wall.     

TEST RESULTS OF A NEW TYPE OF EFFICIENT SMALL AIRGUN ARRAY*

Recently the author developed and demonstrated (Safar 1980) an efficient method for operating the airgun. The method involves the generation of a short seismic pulse from the pressure bubble pulses radiated by an airgun when fired several times at the same optimum depth but with different chamber pressures. The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the test results obtained when implementing the same method using a two-dimensional airgun array. The array consists of seven 0.65 liter airguns fired simultaneously at the same depth but with different chamber pressures. It is shown that the far-field pressure pulse radiated by the seven 0.65 liter airgun array is similar to that radiated by the Flexichoc seismic source. It is concluded that the proposed airgun array can be used as a subarray to form an extremely powerful super-long array suitable for deep seismic exploration. The author would like to thank the Chairman and Board of Directors of the British Petroleum Co. Ltd for permission to publish this paper. Thanks are also due to Mike Symes and Lovell Cox for carrying out the field tests and Seismograph Service (England) Ltd for providing the airguns.     

ATTENUATION OF COHERENT NOISE IN MARINE SEISMIC EXPLORATION USING VERY LONG ARRAYS *

The use of arrays to separate primary reflections from unwanted coherent seismic events is common practice in land seismic surveys. Very long source and receiver arrays have been used recently to reduce the effects of waterbottom multiples on marine seismic data. The source array consists of five uniformly spaced identical subarrays, each with five different airguns, where the distance between the subarrays may vary from 20 m56 m. The volume of each subarray is 10.3 1 (630 cu.in.) which gives a total volume of the array of 51.5 1 (3150 cu.in.) operated at a pressure of 14 MPa (2000 psi). In order to have a flexible receiver system it was decided to implement the extended receiver array in data processing by computing a weighted sum of two to five traces. The hydrophone cable consists of fifty-four channels with a group length of 50 m. Data shot with the superlong airgun array are processed by a combination of standard techniques and special procedures. In particular, the quality of the stack section is improved by using a weighted stack. The stack weights are computed by a program which takes into account the primary-to-multiple ratio. Comparisons with conventional data show significant improvements in data quality obtained by using the superlong airgun array. Examples show that the waterbottom multiples have been strongly attenuated and the deep seismic events have been enhanced. The combined array response function for dipping events is given in an appendix.     

SIGNATURES FROM SINGLE AIRGUNS*

The far-field signatures from a comprehensive and systematic airgun pulse test have been analyzed. Empirical relations between the characteristic signature parameters and depth (5–12 m), pressure (100–137 bar = 10–13.7 MPa) and total chamber volume (0.65–9.5 l) have been derived. Also, the influence of using waveshape kits in different positions within the chamber has been tested. The results indicate that:

• 1 The amplitude is proportional to chamber pressure to the power 3/4.
• 2 The bubble period is nearly independent of the position of the waveshape plate.
• 3 The increase in primary/bubble amplitude ratio is inversely proportional to the chamber volume above the waveshape plate.
• 4 The amplitude is independent of airgun depth.

Suggestions and comments regarding this work from Dr B. Ursin and Dr A. Ziolkowski are appreciated. The field work was supported by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate through the Continental Shelf Project at the Seismological Observatory, University of Bergen. An airgun allowing for continuous variation of the chamber volumes was supplied by GECO (Geophysical Company of Norway). The purchase of two airguns was financed by Norske Getty Exploration A/S.     

THE SCALING OF AIRGUN ARRAYS,INCLUDING DEPTH DEPENDENCE AND INTERACTIONS*

The article provides a theoretical basis for the extension of the method of scaling law deconvolution to three dimensions using airgun arrays as a sound source. Earlier papers by the author required the dimensions of the scaled sources to be different while the depths and firing pressures were maintained the same in order to preserve the same dynamics of the scaled sources at scaled time. However, this forces the source ghost to be considered as part of the impulse response of the earth rather than as part of the downgoing source wave. And, in fact, the dynamics of the scaled sources are not the same at the same depth because the ghost reflection modulates the behaviour of the oscillating bubbles generated by the airguns, and this modulation does not scale. To force the sources to scale properly, including the ghost interaction, the larger source must be put at greater depth, where hydrostatic pressure is greater, and the initial firing pressure must be adjusted accordingly. Thus, the depth, initial firing pressure and gun volume are all variables. The interaction among guns in scaled airgun arrays also scales exactly if the geometry of an array and the depth of its deployment are scaled by the same factor.     

DEVELOPMENT OF MORE EFFICIENT AIRGUN ARRAYS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT*

Source strength of an airgun array may be increased by:

• — utilizing higher pressure,
• — increasing total array volume,
• — employing more guns,
• — improving gun efficiency.

One measure of gun efficiency is “specific source strength”, P_a*, defined as source strength per unit quantity of air used. Typical units are MPa m/l. Most developments are directed toward increasing gun pressure and/or gun volume to increase source strength of the array. These efforts require that more air compressors be installed onboard the ship. Consequently, a larger ship may be needed for the additional compressors, guns, and auxiliary equipment. A development program was initiated in 1976 to increase source strength of the array without using a larger ship. New guns were designed and built—one for 41.4 MPa and 7.37 liter (6000 p.s.i./450 in³) operation and another with 13.8 MPa and 4.92 liter (2000 p.s.i./300 in³) capability. Experiments were conducted with these new guns (and existing guns) over a range of pressures from 13.8 to 41.4 MPa (2000 to 6000 p.s.i.). Design of the new guns was aided by a mathematical model. The model relates physical dimensions of the airgun to acoustic pressure in the water. It consists of four nonlinear differential equations relating

• — shuttle motion,
• — bubble pressure,
• — chamber pressure,
• — bubble radius.

The last equation is the “free-bubble-oscillation equation” and represents the ideal case of a pressurized bubble released instantaneously in water. The three other equations modify this ideal case; the four equations together model an airgun of the type manufactured by Bolt Associates, Inc.     

Using an airgun array in a land reservoir as the seismic source for seismotectonic studies in northern China: experiments and preliminary results

This paper reports the field setup and preliminary results of experiments utilizing an airgun array in a reservoir in north China for a seismotectonic study. Commonly used in offshore petroleum resource exploration, the airgun source was found to be more useful than a traditional explosive source for large‐scale and long offset land seismic surveys. The airgun array, formed by four 1,500 in³ airguns (a total of 6,000 in³ in volume) was placed at a depth of 6–9 m into the reservoir to generate the pressure impulse. No direct evidence was found that the airgun source adversely affected the fish in the reservoir. The peak ground acceleration recorded on the top of the reservoir dam 100 m away was 17.8 gal in the horizontal direction; this is much less than the designed earthquake‐resistance threshold of 125 gal for this dam. The energy for one shot of this airgun array is about 6.68 MJ, equivalent to firing a 1.7 kg explosive. The seismic waves generated by the airgun source were recorded by receivers of the regional seismic networks and a temporary wide‐angle reflection and refraction profile formed by 100 short‐period seismometers with the maximum source‐receiver offset of 206 km. The seismic wave signature at these long‐offset stations is equivalent to that generated by a traditional blast source in a borehole with a 1,000–2,000 kg explosive. Preliminary results showed clear seismic phases from refractions from the multi‐layer crustal structures in the north China region. Forward modelling using numerical simulation confirms that the seismic arrivals are indeed from lower crustal interfaces. The airgun source is efficient, economical, environmentally friendly and suitable for being used in urbanized areas. It has many advantages over an explosive source for seismotectonic studies such as the high repeatability that is supreme for stacking to improve signal qualities. The disadvantage is that the source is limited to existing lakes or reservoirs, which may restrict experimental geometry.     

不同激发环境下井中气枪震源特征研究

基于单枪容量为250in3的BHS-2200LL井中气枪,在内径0.2、5.0m不同激发井中开展了气枪震源特征对比分析,研究表明：①5.0m井中气枪激发产生的信号优势频率集中在10～40Hz,比在0.2m井中的低,这主要是由于较大水体利于气泡的震荡;②在能量方面,5.0m井中激发信号的能量强于0.2m井中的,幅度上相差1个数量级,单次激发的传播距离可达9km;③2种激发环境下产生的气枪信号都具有较好的重复性。     

Simulating the signature produced by a single airgun under real gas conditions

Models that simulate the signature of single airguns form the basis for modelingthe signals of airgun arrays. Most of the existing models assume that the air inside theproduced bubble is ideal gas, which may lead to errors because of the high operating pressureof the airguns. In this study, we propose a model that precisely simulates the signals of singleairguns by applying the Van der Waals equation based on the Ziolkowski algorithm. We alsoconsider a thermodynamically open quasistatic system, the heat transition between waterand gas, the throttling effect of the port and the bubble rise, and the effect of the sea surface.Modeling experiments show that （1） the energy of the source increases and the signal-to-noise ratio of the signature wavelet decreases with increasing seawater temperature, （2） thereflection coefficient of the sea surface under the actual state and depth of the source affectsthe notch caused by the surface reflection, （3） the computed signature with the proposedmodel is very close to the actual data, and （4） the proposed model accurately simulates thesignature of sinale air~uns.     

A comparison between airguns and explosives as wide-angle seismic sources

The relative merits of a 48-gun, 9324 cu. in. (153 litre) airgun array and a 200 kg explosive source are considered for the purposes of long-range (0–400 km) refraction seismic work, with particular reference to traveltime modelling. Theoretical source calculations indicate that in the frequency range 2.5–12.0 Hz, the airgun source will produce an RMS pressure ∼ 8% of that produced by the explosive source and an initial burst pressure ∼17% of that produced by the explosive source. Observed data support these calculations at short ranges and illustrate the greater attenuation of the airgun signal with range due to its lack of very low frequency (< 5 Hz) content. At short offsets, the airgun array provides a preferable seismic source to the explosives, due to densely spaced shots and a consistent waveform resulting in excellent trace-to-trace coherence. With increasing offsets, it may be necessary to stack the airgun data to enhance its signal-to-noise ratio: here we use a 4-fold stack. Large explosive shots, although more powerful, produce a less consistent waveform and are more widely spaced due to operational constraints. The offset at which airguns provide a preferable source is dependent on the ambient noise. This practical comparison of real sources demonstrates that, even without advanced processing, a well-tuned airgun array may provide a preferable source to explosives at offsets up to 160 km, under favourable experimental conditions.     

Influencing factors of seismic signals generated by un-tuned large volume airgun array in a land reservoir

Un-tuned large volume airgun array in a water reservoir is recently proposed as a new way to generate seismic waves on land. It can be used to explore the earth velocity structure and its temporal variations as well. However, the characteristics of seismic signals (especially far-field signals) from an airgun array in a reservoir and its affecting factors (firing pressure, airgun towing depth, water level of the reservoir, etc.) has not been adequately studied. We analyzed the seismic data collected from field experiments at Binchuan Transmitting Seismic Station in 2011 and 2013 and found that (1) The similarity of seismic signals decrease with distance, which is most likely induced by the decay of signal amplitude and signal to noise ratio (SNR); (2) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are almost linearly proportional to the firing pressure; (3) The towing depth of airgun has less effects on the far-field signals; (4) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are proportional to the water level of the reservoir.     

大容量气枪震源长江定点激发信号检测

地学长江计划“安徽段实验”是大容量气枪震源在长江的首次激发。本文针对布设在气枪固定激发点附近的流动台和周边固定台接收到的气枪信号进行线性叠加分析近场和远场信号的时频特性,利用叠加结果检测气枪信号的传播特性,分析不同环境因素对信号传播距离的影响。结果表明：①近岸首台可以接收到清晰的压力脉冲、气泡脉冲的体波和面波信号;②气枪信号主频为5Hz左右,随震中距的增加,压力脉冲信号衰减很快,信号主频频带变窄;③对信号传播距离进行初步检测,最近的传播距离为180km,最远共有3个激发点传播达到260km,夜晚激发信号传播距离较远。     

MODELLING OF GI GUN SIGNATURES1

In 1989 a new type of marine seismic source was introduced. This new air-gun, which consists of two air chambers instead of one, is called the GI gun. The main feature of this gun is that the bubble created by the gun is stabilized by an injection of extra air from the second chamber at a later time. This injection mechanism reduces the amplitude of the bubble oscillations, which also means that the acoustic signal from a GI gun shot is characterized by a very clean primary pulse followed by very small bubble oscillations. A method for calculating the acoustic signal generated by a GI gun is presented. Based on the solution of a damped Kirkwood–Bethe equation, the far-field pressure of single GI guns and of arrays of GI guns is calculated. It is shown that the optimal values for injection start time and injection period vary with injector volume and gun depth. It is also shown that the precision in the firing time for the injector should be of the order of 4 ms, while the precision of the injection period should be of the order of 8 ms. Modelled and measured far-field signatures have been compared, and the relative error energy is found to be less than 3.5% for all examples.     

Probability Data Screening Method in Airgun Signal Processing Application

The signal excited by the airgun source is weak, and is easily affected by human motion noise, instrument failure, and earthquake and blasting events, resulting in insufficient utilization of the amplitude information of the airgun signal. The effective removal of interference and the preservation of true amplitude information of the signal is difficult in airgun signal processing. Based on the randomness of noise and the highly repetitive characteristics of airgun signals, we propose probability data screening method. The airgun data from experiments conducted in the Ansha Reservoir and Shanmei Reservoir in Fujian Province in June, 2017 are taken as the research object to assess the effect in practical applications. The results show that the probability data screening method can automatically reject multiple interferences and effectively preserve the amplitude information of the signal by screening out large amplitude records in appropriate proportions. Compared with direct linear superposition, the probability-related linear superposition method can effectively reduce the impact of abnormal interference, and significantly improve the quality of the observed data.     

A Comparative Study on the Excitation of Large Volume Airgun Source with Different Combinations in Hutubi, Xinjiang, China

In order to study the excitation of large-volume airgun source with different combinations in Hutubi, Xinjiang,China,we conducted a targeted experiment. The method of time-frequency analysis is used to study the signals recorded by a seismometer on the shore of the excited pool, and it is concluded that different gun combinations will lead to different frequency of bubble pulse signals. Besides, linear combination method is used to analyze the signal-to-noise ratios of signals excited by different gun combinations which was recorded by seismic stations around the airgun source. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratios, it is more effective to increase the activation energy (the number of excited guns at the same time) than to stack the excited signals with smaller energy repeatedly.     

大容量气枪震源子波时频特性及其影响因素

通过分析福建街面水库气枪实验的近场水听器记录,研究气枪子波时频特性及其受沉放深度和工作压力的影响,并结合气泡模型解释气泡振荡过程。数据分析表明：①气枪子波由主脉冲和气泡脉冲组成。主脉冲振幅大,持时短,频带宽,通常应用于浅部探测;气泡脉冲能量集中在低频段,垂直穿透深,水平传播远,通常应用于深部探测。②随沉放深度的增加,主脉冲振幅变化很小,气泡脉冲振幅增加,初泡比减小,气泡周期减小,低频段主频增加。沉放深度为10m时,主脉冲振幅和初泡比最大,可应用于浅部探测;沉放深度为25m时,气泡脉冲振幅很大,初泡比最小,可应用于深部探测。③工作压力增加时,主脉冲振幅、气泡脉冲振幅、初泡比、气泡周期等随之增大,低频段主频则减小。     

Improving Airgun Signal Detection with Small-Aperture Seismic Array in Yunnan

Repeating airgun sources are eco-friendly sources for monitoring the changes in the physical properties of subsurface mediums, but their signals decay quickly and are buried in the noises soon after traveling short distances. Stacking waveforms from different airgun shots recorded by a single seismic station (shot stacking) is the most popular technique to detect weak signals from noisy backgrounds, and has been widely used to process the data of Fixed Airgun Signal Transmission Stations (FASTS) in China. However, shot stacking sacrifices the time resolution in monitoring to recover a qualified airgun signal by stacking many shots at distance stations, and also suffers from persistent local noises. In this paper, we carried out several small-aperture seismic array experiments around the Binchuan FAST Station (BCFASTS) in Yunnan Province,China, and applied the array technique to improve airgun signal detection. The results show that seismic array processing combining with shot stacking can suppress seismic noises more efficiently, and provide better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and coherent airgun signals with less airgun shots. This work suggests that the array technique is a feasible and promising tool in FAST to increase the time resolution and reduce noise interference on routine monitoring.