DSC - Dynamic Spread Control

Working Towards Holistic 4D Workflows

DSC dynamic spread control technology is available on our Q-Marine vessels. DSC technology enables the planning and automated positioning of the vessel, source, and cables for marine seismic acquisition, as well as quality control and quality assurance of the acquisition deliverables.

The REPEAT software package to plan and analyze time-lapse seismic surveys is the front-end 4D navigation planning module. The navigation plan created by REPEAT software is input to the 4D Position Controller, which is at the heart of DSC technology. The controller dynamically steers the vessel, sources, and cables to match the navigation plan. Post-acquisition results are then fed back to REPEAT software for evaluation and verification.

Typical conventional systems place 95% of shot locations within 23 meters of the desired position. Our experience now shows that by automating the vessel and source steering, DSC technology can reduce this error such that 95% of shot locations are within 2.5 meters of the desired position.

DSC technology is part of the process of handling the 4D workflow in a more holistic manner. Together with enhanced 4D processing such as non-rigid matching and 4D inversion through Schlumberger 4D ISIS simultaneous inversion, DSC technology clearly provides the tools for superior marine 4D survey planning and execution.

While improving the accuracy and effectiveness of 4D surveys is the primary application of DSC technology, it can also be used to further improve the quality other Q-enabled techniques such as Coil Shooting, rich- and wide-azimuth surveys and DISCover, as well as improving coverage and reducing infill in 'conventional' surveys because the same components and principles can be applied on any 3D survey.