Multi-Instrument Integration for Natural Seafloor Seeps Survey

A newly developed instrument package deployable on underwater vehicles for detection, localization, and identification of natural seafloor seeps of oil/gas is described. Equipped with two multibeam forward looking sonars operating at different frequencies, two lasers, an attitude and heading reference system, and a conductivity, temperature, depth plus sound speed measurement system, this instrument package can detect active natural seeps of oil/gas seeps at a proven range of over 200 m. It also allows the operator to efficiently transition from detection with sonars to monitoring with HD video cameras within a few minutes. Two sets of this instrument package were successfully deployed on two work-class remotely operated vehicles for oil/gas seep surveys conducted in the Gulf of Mexico in March 2022.