Description

Engineered for the Marine Environment – The world’s first bandwidth-controlled seismic source

Teledyne Bolt, Inc. has engineered a new type of airgun designed to reduce the potential impact of seismic acquisition operations on marine life while also delivering optimal bandwidth for subsurface imaging. eSource is designed to reduce the high-frequency components believed to have most potential for causing disturbance to marine life while retaining the low-frequency components critical to seismic exploration.

The eSource airgun is designed to address concerns that high frequencies may disturb marine wildlife, while also offering optimal imaging results. The design allows a gradual release of air at a predetermined rate. Users can tune the spectral content of the pressure signal depending on the local mammal sensitivity and the geological requirements, with three different settings possible.

The e500 is the larger of the two eSource models, designed to support chamber volumes up to 400 cubic inch ( 6.5 ltr.) The key principle behind eSource is the gradual release of air at a predetermined rate (as a function of time). By controlling the way the air is released, the spectral content of the pressure signal can be tuned.

The eSource can be configured to three different levels, depending on the regulatory sensitivity of the survey area. This is achieved through use of three different top housings liners each offering a different level of attenuation.

The eSource has been designed with consideration for the seismic acquisition industry. The eSource will use the same control interface as current Bolt systems, and will be compatible with all existing seismic source controllers. In addition, eSource will be compatible with existing arrays. Maintenance intervals will be consistent with Bolt’s recommendation for standard seismic sources. The eSource unit is lighter than standard Bolt sources thereby easing handling and improving potential HSE concerns.