US 6,982,926 B2
Apparatus and method for bubble shielding towed marine cable
Stig Rune Lennart Tenghamn, Katy, Tex. (US); and Andre Stenzel, Richmond, Tex. (US)
Assigned to PGS Americas, Inc., Houston, Tex. (US)
Filed on Oct. 04, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/264,364.
Prior Publication US 2004/0066707 A1, Apr. 08, 2004
Int. Cl. G01V 1/38 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 367—20 35 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
20. A marine seismic surveying system comprising:
a tow vessel;
at least one towing cable coupled to the tow vessel, the at least one towing cable comprising a strength member and at least one conduit associated with the strength member, the conduit having apertures therein at selected locations, the apertures adapted to conduct gas from within the conduit into water in which the at least one towing cable is disposed, the apertures arranged to cause the gas to form a bubble layer having a preselected geometry substantially completely surrounding the cable, the at least one towing cable extending at least partially in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the tow vessel;
at least one streamer cable operatively coupled to the at least one towing cable; and
a source of gas operatively coupled to the at least one conduit.