Controller and method for steering sources

1. A method for steering a seismic source array in a body of water during a seismic survey, the method comprising:

measuring an actual position of the seismic source array;

calculating a virtual position of the seismic source array, wherein the virtual position corresponds to a position of the seismic source array when towed with no adjustment from a source steering device;

retrieving a pre-plot path that includes desired positions of the seismic source array for the seismic survey;

actuating the source steering device to bring the actual position of the source array on the pre-plot path; and

steering the vessel based on the virtual position so that the virtual position lies on the pre-plot path.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

actuating again the source steering device, when the actual position of the source array deviates from the pre-plot path due to the virtual position lying on the pre-plot path, so that the actual position approaches the pre-plot path.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the virtual position has moved away from the pre-plot path; and

steering the vessel so that the virtual position approaches the pre-plot path.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

measuring again the actual position of the source array; and

further actuating the source steering device to adjust the actual position to approach the pre-plot path.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

adjusting the settings of the source steering device and a position of the vessel until the virtual position of the source array substantially coincides with the actual position of the source array.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

adjusting first the source steering device when the actual position of the source array deviates from the pre-plot path; and

adjusting second the position of the vessel to change the virtual position of the source array.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

adjusting third the source steering device to again change the actual position of the source array as a consequence of a change in the position of the vessel; and

adjusting fourth the position of the vessel to change the virtual position of the source array so that the virtual position approaches neutral settings of the source steering device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein neutral settings are defined as an original distance between the source array and a corresponding lead-in towed by the vessel.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending to the source steering device, based on a difference between the virtual position and the pre-plot path of the seismic source array, settings for adjusting the actual position of the seismic source array.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source steering device is configured to adjust a distance between the source array and a lead-in connected to the vessel.

11. A seismic surveying system configured to steer a seismic source array in a body of water during a seismic survey, the system comprising:

a central control unit configured to,

receive an actual position of the seismic source array, and

calculate a virtual position of the seismic source array, wherein the virtual position corresponds to a position of the seismic source array when towed with no adjustment from a source steering device;

a memory configured to store a pre-plot path that includes desired positions of the seismic source array for the seismic survey;

a local controller configured to actuate the source steering device to bring the actual position of the source array on the pre-plot path; and

an integrated navigation system configured to steer a vessel that tows the source array based on the virtual position so that the virtual position lies on the pre-plot path.

12. The seismic surveying system of claim 11 ,

wherein the local controller actuates again the source steering device, when the actual position of the source array deviates from the pre-plot path due to the virtual position lying on the pre-plot path, so that the actual position approaches the pre-plot path.

13. The seismic surveying system of claim 11 , wherein the central control unit is further configured to:

determine that the virtual position has moved away from the pre-plot path; and

provide information to the integrated navigation system to steer the vessel so that the virtual position approaches the pre-plot path.

14. The seismic surveying system of claim 13 , wherein the central control unit is further configured to:

receive again an updated actual position of the source array; and

provide information to the source steering device to adjust the actual position to approach the pre-plot path.

15. The seismic surveying system of claim 11 , wherein the settings of the source steering device and a position of the vessel are further adjusted until the virtual position of the source array substantially coincides with the actual position of the source array.

16. The seismic surveying system of claim 11 , wherein:

first, the source steering device adjusts its settings when the actual position of the source array deviates from the pre-plot path; and

second, the position of the vessel is modified to change the virtual position of the source array.

17. The seismic surveying system of claim 16 , wherein:

third, the source steering device again adjusts its settings to change the actual position of the source array as a consequence of a change in the position of the vessel; and

fourth, the position of the vessel is modified again to change the virtual position of the source array so that the virtual position approaches neutral settings of the source steering device.

18. The seismic surveying system of claim 17 , wherein neutral settings are defined as an original distance between the source array and a corresponding lead-in towed by the vessel.

19. The seismic surveying system of claim 11 , wherein the central control unit is configured to:

send to the source steering device, based on a difference between the virtual position and the pre-plot path of the seismic source array, settings for adjusting the actual position of the seismic source array.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, implement a method for steering a seismic source array in a body of water during a seismic survey, the method comprising:

measuring an actual position of the seismic source array;

calculating a virtual position of the seismic source array, wherein the virtual position corresponds to a position of the seismic source array when towed with no adjustment from a source steering device;

retrieving a pre-plot path that includes desired positions of the seismic source array for the seismic survey;

actuating the source steering device to bring the actual position of the source array on the pre-plot path; and

steering the vessel based on the virtual position so that the virtual position lies on the pre-plot path.