Marine Seismic Exploration with Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Marine seismic exploration is traditionally conducted using towed streamers to investigate the geological structure of sea shelves and identify mineral deposits. Conventional streamers typically use piezoelectric hydrophones or fiber-optic interferometric hydrophones, which are complex, costly, and challenging to manufacture. In this study, we introduced a fiber-optic marine towed streamer seismic acquisition system based on distributed acoustic sensing technology. This system features a simplified design by removing the need for optical components within the streamer, thereby streamlining system architecture and manufacturing. The system’s effectiveness was validated through a sea trial conducted in the slope zone of a basin, with water depths ranging from 500 to 2000 m. Notably, this study represents the first successful application of distributed fiber-optic towed streamers for marine seismic exploration, enabling the effective detection of complex sedimentary structures in the surveyed area. The results underscore the significant potential of distributed fiber-optic towed streamers for seismic exploration, paving the way for advancements in marine seismic technologies.