Flexichoc cuts seismic-implosion problems

Journal Article · Mon May 31 04:00:00 EDT 1971 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5596817

The Flexichoc seismic-implosion device offered by Institute Frances du Petrole (IFP) is a new tool for marine geologists and geophysicists. The Flexichoc source has 2 moving parts: 2 metal plates each 58 in. in diam joined together at their edges by a stout rubber sleeve. Compressed air is pumped into the source at 30 psi. This will force the plates apart until they become locked in the firing position. Air is then pumped out of the device by changing the compressor mode to vacuum. This creates a vacuum of 100 mm/mercury in the space between the plates. An electric signal initiated by the recording unit releases the 2 plates which strike each other forcibly to produce a seismic impulse. The sudden reduction of the volume of the emitting device under the effect of the hydrostatic pressure is nothing else than an implosion. The kinetic energy acquired by the mass of water is converted into a pressure pulse. The movement of the 2 plates is such that cavitation phenomena do not appear. The absence of compressible fluids gives the seismic impulse a very clean shape free from any bubble effect.

• OSTI ID: 5596817
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 69:22; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
EQUIPMENT
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
IMPLOSIONS
MARINE SURVEYS
SEISMIC WAVES
SURVEYS