Abstract: A method for imaging formations below the bottom of a body of water includes imparting acoustic energy into the formations along a predetermined length swath at a selected geodetic position. Acoustic energy reflected from the formations is detected along a line parallel to the length of the swath. The selected geodetic position is moved a selected distance transverse to the length of the swath. The imparting acoustic energy, detecting acoustic energy and moving the geodetic position are repeated until a selected distance transverse to the length of the swath is traversed. The detected acoustic energy from all the selected geodetic positions is coherently stacked. The detected acoustic energy is beam steered to each of a plurality of depths and positions along the length of the swath to generate an image for each such depth and position.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of at least one square meter, is analyzed by an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the generation and detection of sound are precisely correlated to the location of a vertical drill hole in the sea bed by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned with respect to the drill hole, using the drill hole as the horizontal position reference. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to a post that lies in the drill hole. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the hole axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.

Abstract: A method for evaluating subsurface formations includes deploying at least two intersecting seismic transducer lines above an area of the subsurface to be surveyed. Each line includes spaced apart seismic transmitters on one side of the intersection and spaced apart seismic receivers on the other side. On each line, one of the transmitters is actuated and signals are detected at one of the receivers. The foregoing is repeated for each of the remaining receivers. The foregoing is then repeated for each of the remaining transmitters on each line. The detected signals are processed to enhance both specular and non-specular seismic events in the subsurface. The enhanced events may be stored and/or displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radially cutting tubulars in a downhole environment by emitting acoustic energy into the jet, the acoustic energy having a wavelength selected such that the jet acts as a waveguide, detecting reflected acoustic energy in the jet, and determining the depth of cut from a travel time of the acoustic energy.

Abstract: A method for identifying position of acoustic source proximate sediments below the bottom of a body of water includes deploying a plurality of arrays of acoustic sensors on the bottom of the body of water. Each array includes a plurality of lines of acoustic sensors disposed in a substantially radial pattern. The arrays have a center to center distance therebetween of about twice a diameter of each of the arrays. Signals are detected from each of the sensors for a selected time period. A direction of the acoustic source with respect to each of the arrays is determined by steering a response of the sensors in each array. A range of the acoustic source is determined using the determined directions.

Abstract: A method for seismic surveying includes disposing a plurality of seismic sensors in a selected pattern above an area of the Earth's subsurface to be evaluated. A seismic energy source is repeatedly actuated proximate the seismic sensors. Signals generated by the seismic sensors, indexed in time with respect to each actuation of the seismic energy source are recorded. The recorded signals are processed to generate an image corresponding to at least one point in the subsurface. The processing includes stacking recordings from each sensor for a plurality of actuations of the source and beam steering a response of the seismic sensors such that the at least one point is equivalent to a focal point of a response of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method for identifying position of acoustic source proximate sediments below the bottom of a body of water includes deploying a plurality of arrays of acoustic sensors on the bottom of the body of water. Each array includes a plurality of lines of acoustic sensors disposed in a substantially radial pattern. The arrays have a center to center distance therebetween of about twice a diameter of each of the arrays. Signals are detected from each of the sensors for a selected time period. A direction of the acoustic source with respect to each of the arrays is determined by steering a response of the sensors in each array. A range of the acoustic source is determined using the determined directions.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of over one square meter, is analyzed by comparing a core sample taken near the middle of the region and/or data from a geotechnical insitu cone penetrometer installed at the middle of the region, to an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the acoustic analysis are precisely correlated to the location of the core test sample or cone test by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned on the core drill (12) or cone penetrometer barrel staff. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to the core drill when the core drill is not rotating. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the drill axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.