Equipment : Streamer

Model : SIG 16.8.5

Serial n° : 13078

Date : 07/2013

S.I.G. STREAMER

Technical manual

Services et Instruments de Géophysique

44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE
Tel : +33 2 40 56 31 16 ~ Fax : +33 2 40 56 20 55
www.marine-seismic-equipment.com
info@sigfrance.com
 TABLE OF CONTENT

I INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................3

II THE ACTIVE-SECTION ...............................................................................................................................4

A The SIG 16 hydrophones..........................................................................................................................4
B The preamplifier......................................................................................................................................4
III THE TOW CABLE .......................................................................................................................................4

IV THE POWER SUPPLY BOX .........................................................................................................................5

V OPERATION ..............................................................................................................................................6

VI MAINTENANCE ..........................................................................................................................................7

VII TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................................7

VIII MODIFICATION OF DEFAULT GAIN CONFIGURATION..................................................................................7

SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................................................7

LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................................................9

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 2

I INTRODUCTION

The streamer is the basic data-collection tool in marine seismics. The group(s) of hydrophones are
placed in a buoyant tube called the active section. Environmental friendly, there is no kerosene used, the
SIG streamers are filled with inert oil.

The signal is pre-amplified inside the active section. The preamplifier cartridge can be changed easily by
opening the head.

The streamer can be towed at a maximum speed of 6 knots with a minimum noise level. But caution
should be taken during launching. It is advised that the ship should increase speed gradually, up to the
maximum speed.

The streamer is designed with a slightly negative density. The desired operating depth is achieved with
the air valve system located on the cable.

K CAUTION !

Ä Don't step on the active section of your streamer. The hydrophones are fragile sensors.

Ä After each use, store it back in its box.

Ä Make sure that the polyurethane tube is not folded.

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 3

II THE ACTIVE-SECTION

Depending on the model, the streamer may have one, two, or more channels, which correspond to the
sections of hydrophone groups.

Model : S.I.G.16. a. L
with a : Nb of hydrophones
L : length of active section

The stainless steel cable insures the strength of the section, with a breaking strength of 230 Kg for the
active section and 500 Kg for the tow cable.

A tail rope ensures the cancellation of the lateral oscillation due to towing.

To ensure a good pressure transmission between the sea water and the hydrophones, the tube is filled
with an inert oil, highly dielectric, and very resistant to oxidation.

A The SIG 16 hydrophones

The elementary hydrophones, model SIG 16, have a wide band, and a high output impedance, which
implies the existence of the streamer head preamplifier, to match the amplifier's impedance.

B The preamplifier

The streamer head can be opened, to remove the

preamplifier cartridge (tools provided).

The resistance of the long cable lengths is

becoming negligible compared to the high input
impedance of the preamplifier.

This preamplifier is power-supplied by battery

inside the power supply box.

Apply silicon grease on all elements and especially the toric joints,
before closing the streamer’s head.

III THE TOW CABLE

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 4
The cable is gained with PVC tube in order to protect it, and also to help the buoyancy.
The streamer is normally balanced to float in the first meter or so below the sea surface.

The streamer is supplied with a weight collar of

950 g, which can be attached on the cable just
before the preamplifier compartment piece.
Weight collars help the operator to ballast or re-
ballast the section if necessary.

The second solution available is the cable flooding. The cable is equipped with a little valve. When
opening the cable on both extremities, the sea water enters into the cable, which increases its density.
To reset the initial air content or rise the streamer back up again, you can pull the streamer back on the
ship with the valve open, or use a little air compressor, to flush the water out.

It is the emergency solution, as the sea water does damage the inner cable with time, and which should
be used in exceptional cases of rough sea state, when the weight collars have already been used.

IV THE POWER SUPPLY BOX

The power supply part enables the connection of

the streamer to any amplifier or any recorder
system, which usually have BNC plugs.

It contains a 12V battery and an output for each

group of hydrophones.

The preamplifier has a very small power demand. The battery of 600 mAh can provide 200 hours of
power supply before the recharge is necessary.

You can see the state of charge of the battery with the battery test. If the battery is weak (below 10.5V)
the button does not light up. When the battery is getting weak during profiling, the button will start
flashing.

To charge the battery, before plugging the mains cord, set the proper voltage 115 or 230 VAC at the
back, and press on the charge button.
G Do not leave the charge button on during storage.

It is possible to recharge the battery during the seismic profiling, but to avoid interferences with the 50
Hz, it is not advised.
G Do not plug the mains cord if unnecessary.

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 5

The signal of the streamer is buffered to provide a low impedance output. The maximum output signal is
12 V peak-to-peak.

The power supply box is delivered with gain 1 as standard. But it offers the possibility to adjust the
dynamics of the signal :
† either by adding gain X2 or x3, if the preamplifier in head is not enough,
† or , by dividing / 2, in case of saturation.

K CAUTION ! Do not connect the “Test supply 12 VDC” of the back panel to any ground.

V OPERATION

ð Plug the streamer in the "signal input" at the back of the power supply box,
ð Plug the BNC of the channels outputs 1, 2 or 1+2, to the receiver and/or data
acquisition system.
ð Press "On" m to power supply the preamplifier and receive signal from the
hydrophones,
ð The “Battery test” button m indicates the state of the battery : lighting up when > 10.5
V.
ð To charge the battery, press on m « Charge ». The red button is lighting on during
charging.

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 6

VI MAINTENANCE

ð Clean your streamer with unsalted water before storage.

ð Protect the streamer connectors.
ð DO NOT leave the charge button m ON during storage, otherwise the battery will discharge into the
charger.
ð AIR BUBBLES : with time air bubbles may appear in the active section. When they become too
numerous, you can refill with the oil provided. In order to do so, attach the tail of the streamer to a
height (top of a stair, for example), to gather the bubbles to the tail. Open the screw on the tail piece
and pour oil. USE ONLY OIL PROVIDED BY SIG !

VII TROUBLESHOOTING

Problems Solutions
1. No signal on one channel 1. Change the preamplifier
2. Problem on the cable or at the connector :
Ä remove preamplifier and test the continuity of the tow cable
(should be 8 Ω for each conductor),
Ä test the insulation between ground and each channel (test at
the deck connector with preamplifier removed)
3. Problem on active section : perform a tap test.

VIII MODIFICATION OF DEFAULT GAIN CONFIGURATION

Please refer to figure 8 of the board.

4 switches allow to modify the gain of the output signal :
S1 : for gain on channel 1
S2 : for gain on channel 2 gain\switch position 1 2
x 1 (default) OFF ON
x2 ON OFF
x3 ON ON

SW1 : for dividing by 2 on channel 1

SW2 : for dividing by 2 on channel 2.

l default, no division dividing /2

SPECIFICATIONS

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 7

Hydrophones SIG 16
Sensitivity : - 183 db, re 1V/µPa, +- 1 db
Frequency response : flat +- 1 db
over the frequency range 10 to 1000 hz
maxi operating depth : 80 m
Capacitance : 18.0 ± 1,0 nFd @ 20 °C and 1 kHz
Weight : 20 g
Dimensions : Length 4.56 cm / Diameter 1.32 cm
Preamplifier 1-channel
Gain : 32 db
Maximum output 12 V p-p
Consumption : < 2 mA
Dimensions : Length : 86 mm / Diameter : 20 mm
Active section SIG 16.8.5
Length : 5m
Diameter : 25 mm in x 30.5 mm ex
Density : 1.08
Tube : Polyurethane 1185A
Oil : 854
Number of channels : 1
Number of hydrophones channel 1 : 8
Hydrophone spacing channel 1 : 0.5 m
Capacitance of channel 1 : 136 nF @ 1 kHz
138 nF @ 120 Hz
Ballast : inert mineral oil Supertransfo
density : 854
Flash point (open cup) : 142 °C
Power point : < -57 °C
Kinematic viscosity @ 40 °C 9.4 mm²
Dielectric strength (dessicated and filtred oil) > 70 KV
Properties : high resistance to oxidation
very high dielectric strength
Power supply box : 2-channel sps-2-2012
Dimensions : 18 x 18 x 6 cm
Weight : 1.4 Kg
Number of channels : 2
Preamplifier power supply : Battery 12 V 600 mA
Power supply : 230 VAC
Output : 12 V.p.p.
Consumption : 1.5 VA
Cable 50 m
Number of conductors : 5 x 0.5 mm² shielded PUR
Jacket : PVC
External diameter : 23 mm
Breaking strength : 500 Kg

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 8

 LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 : STREAMER LAYOUT

FIG. 2 : ELECTRICAL ARRANGEMENT

FIG. 3 : STREAMER HEAD COMPARTMENT

FIG. 4 : PREAMPLIFIER CARTRIDGE

FIG. 5 : POWER SUPPLY BOX : FRONT PANEL

FIG. 6 : POWER SUPPLY BOX : ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

FIG. 7 : POWER SUPPLY BOX : AFC BOARD

SIG 16 streamer – Technical manual Page 9

TAIL ROPE HYDROPHONE ACTIVE SECTION

2.0 m 0.75 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m

0.75 m
PREAMPLIFIER COMPARTMENT

WATER EXHAUST

50 m

LEADING CABLE

SIGNAL OUTPUT
AIR CONNECTION GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS
REF : SL1 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

S.M. Streamer Layout 1

H8 H7 H6 H5 H4 H3 H2 H1
Pin 3

+ + + + + + + +
To preamplifier
- - - - - - - -

Pin 1
Hydrophones

GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS
REF: EA2 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

S.M Electrical Arrangement 2

 O "ring"

Preamplifier
Streamer's head

Plastic pipe

Screw
Closed body

Closed body

Polyurethane pipe
GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS
REF : SH4 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

F.B.. Streamer Head 3

 Blue
1 -6V
1 Black
Commun
Brun 2 + 6V

Yellow
2 3 S1

4 S2
Red
3 E1 Black 5 Commun

GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS
REF : CP5 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

S.M. Cartridge Preamplifier 4

 Made in France

Charge

Battery
test

On Output 1 Output 2 Output 1+2

Signal Input AC 115/230 V

Fuse
SIG Test supply
12 VDC

SPS-2-2012

SIG GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS

REF : PS5 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

Power supply box 5

Front and Rear Panel
 Signal input
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Battery
red 12 V
Charge 700 mA
+ 12 V. - 0 V.

Fuse 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
1A 3 2
115 / 230 VAC J2 J5
+ Test
2 - supply
J4
AFC Board 1

4
3
J3 J1 - + J6
+ - 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1

green blue Output 1 Output 2 Output 1 + 2

Battery test Preamplifier supply

REF : SIG GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Z.A. Rte de Campbon
PS6 44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE: DRAWING N° :

Power supply box
SM 6
Electrical circuit
 Gain channel 2

Dividing channel 2 On

1 2

On

1 2
Dividing channel 1
Gain channel 1

SIG GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTS

REF : PS7 Z.A. Rte de Campbon
44130 BOUVRON - FRANCE

CONTROL : DRAWING TITLE : DRAWING N° :

Power supply box

AFC Board
7
 FACTORY ACCEPTANCE
TEST CERTIFICATE

( : +33 (0)2-40-56-31-16 Date : 11/07/2013

Fax : +33 (0)2-40-56-20-55

Equipment STREAMER
Model SIG 16.8.5
Serial number 13078
Owner MERIDATA
Date of purchase 29-04-2013

Points of control Test Value passed

Tow Cable 50 m Continuity þ
Preamplifier 1- channel Gain 32db þ
Hydrophones Tap test +-12V max peak þ
Oil No bubble Full þ
Head pieces Connectic þ
Power supply box Charge 12 V 60 mA þ

CAPACITANCE TEST : tested at preamp.

Channel Test frequency Capacitance Dissipation Quality
(nF) factor factor
1 1 Khz 136 nF 0.020 49
1 120 Hz 138 nF 0.017 60

Controlled by
___________________________________________________________________________

Technician Supervisor
Stéphane MEIGNEN J.L. THAUVIN

S.I.G. France
Z.A. – Route de Campbon – 44 130 BOUVRON – FRANCE
 WARRANTY CARD

__________________________________________________

S.I.G. offers a warranty on its products, against defects in materials and

workmanship, for a period of one year from the date of delivery.
The warranty does not cover the repairs due to an accident, an anomalous
use, or a failure to follow the procedures explained in the instruction
manual.

LIMITED WARRANTY
SIG warrants that for one year following the date of purchase, as
evidenced by our delivery bill, the SIG instrument will perform substantially
the functions described in the manual. Remedy under the warranty during
the applicable warranty period is that SIG will undertake to correct within a
reasonable period of time any reported failure. No returns will be accepted
unless prior authorization has been received from the seller and a SIG RMA
number has been assigned.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
In no event will SIG be liable to the owner of the equipment for a
consequential, indirect, or similar damage, or accident arising during the
use of, or inability of the use of the equipment, even if SIG has been
advised of the possibility of such damage or accident. In no case will SIG’s
aggregate liability exceed the purchase price of the equipment.

Date of delivery : 15-07-2013

Model : STREAMER SIG 16.8.5
Ref : 13078

Customer : MERIDATA
FINLAND

CONTRACT N° : P.O. 11293