Single-sensor Towed Streamer Acquisition: a Case Study From the Gulf of Mexico

Seismic resolution and amplitude accuracy of seismic data is affected by several factors that could be classified in three broad categories: geology, acquisition system, and processing-related factors. Streamers and seismic sources are two components of the acquisition system that could affect seismic resolution and amplitude accuracy. The single-sensor seismic marine acquisition technology recently introduced (Martin, 2000) enables the acquisition of point-receiver towed streamer data. This paper presents the results of a case study where single-sensor towed streamer and a calibrated air gun seismic source was used to acquire five 2D lines over a recent discovery in the Gulf of Mexico. The main focus of this study was to analyze the effects of the new acquisition system on vertical and spatial seismic resolution and on amplitude preservation, and to evaluate how these could impact the reservoir delineation.