Abstract: A method that is usable with a well includes deploying microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based seismic receivers in the well and using the MEMS-based receivers to acquire data indicative of seismic energy.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes a telemetry network; a plurality of receivers that are arranged in groups; and a plurality of concentrators that are associated with the groups of receivers. A given concentrator is adapted to acquire data from an associated group of the receivers, and the concentrators communicate the data to an Earth surface of the well using a plurality of frequencies that are allocated among the concentrators.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes a telemetry network; a plurality of receivers that are arranged in groups; and a plurality of concentrators that are associated with the groups of receivers. A given concentrator is adapted to acquire data from an associated group of the receivers, and the concentrators communicate the data to an Earth surface of the well using a plurality of frequencies that are allocated among the concentrators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for asynchronously acquiring seismic data are described, one system comprising one or more seismic sources, a plurality of sensor modules each comprising a seismic sensor, an A/D converter for generating digitized seismic data, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a sensor module clock; a seismic data recording station; and a seismic data transmission sub-system comprising a high precision clock, the sub-system allowing transmission of at least some of the digitized seismic data to the recording station, wherein each sensor module is configured to periodically receive from the sub-system an amount of the drift of its clock relative to the high precision clock. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract to ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a cable, a sensor module that contains seismic sensors, and a bulkhead connection. The bulkhead connection connects the cable to the sensor module at a radial offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cable.

Abstract: A method that is usable with a well includes deploying microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based seismic receivers in the well and using the MEMS-based receivers to acquire data indicative of seismic energy.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for in-field configuration of land survey sensors. One or more planned positions of the sensors may be received. One or more actual positions of the sensors may be determined. The actual positions may be sent to the sensors while the sensors are powered off.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for configuring a seismic data acquisition network. A first message may be received from a first node of the seismic data acquisition network over a first direct communication link. The first message may comprise a first precision quality of a first reference clock to which the first node may be synchronized. A second message may be received from a second node of the seismic data acquisition network over a second direct communication link. The second message may comprise a second precision quality of a second reference clock to which the second node may be synchronized. One of the first precision quality and the second precision quality may be determined to have a higher precision quality. A real time clock may be synchronized to one of the first reference clock and second reference clock having the higher precision quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods for asynchronously acquiring seismic data are described, one system comprising one or more seismic sources, a plurality of sensor modules each comprising a seismic sensor, an A/D converter for generating digitized seismic data, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a sensor module clock; a seismic data recording station; and a seismic data transmission sub-system comprising a high precision clock, the sub-system allowing transmission of at least some of the digitized seismic data to the recording station, wherein each sensor module is configured to periodically receive from the sub-system an amount of the drift of its clock relative to the high precision clock. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract to ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies that are adapted to be deployed in a wellbore and acquire sensor data indicative of microseismic activity due to a hydraulic fracturing operation in the wellbore. At least one of the sensor assemblies includes a command interface and at least one sensor and is adapted to use the command interface to identify a command stimulus that is communicated downhole and initiate an acquisition by the sensor in response to identifying the command stimulus.

Abstract: A survey system for acquiring survey data representative of a subterranean structure includes a plurality of sensor modules. Each of at least some of the plurality of sensor modules includes a wireless transceiver to communicate wireless signals with another component in the survey system, and a plurality of parts. A first of the plurality of parts is detachably attached to a second of the plurality of parts, with the first part including a sensor, and the second part including a power source and a non-volatile storage.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may extend the range of wireless communications in a seismic acquisition survey. The embodiment may leverage the infrastructure of a hard-wired communications backbone by appending wireless cells to the hard-wired communications. This may allow, for example, a recording truck to control remotely located seismic sources via wireless communications in the spread. Another embodiment includes a communication system for servicing field equipment. The embodiment provides for a fully or semi automated process for communicating equipment failures between survey personnel (e.g., recording truck operators and line observers). The embodiment establishes an end-to-end channel between, for example, the recording truck and field crew members. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: To control activation of one or more communication units in a survey system that performs surveying of a subterranean structure, optical activity on at least one optical link connected to at least one communication unit that is part of a survey system is detected. In response to determining that the optical activity has a characteristic that satisfies a predetermined criterion, the at least one communication unit is awakened.

Abstract: In a survey data acquisition system that acquires survey data regarding a subterranean structure, information is wirelessly communicated between a wireless survey receiver and a wireless concentrator. Wireless communication of the information uses a wireless protocol that employs slot structures defined by a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implementing a network infrastructure in a seismic acquisition system are disclosed. The apparatus is a seismic acquisition system, comprising a plurality of seismic data sources (120) capable of generating data; at least one data collection system (140) utilizing an open network protocol; and at least one line network (300) connecting the data sources to the data collection system and utilizing an open network protocol. The line network (300) includes a plurality of data source nodes (130) at which a portion of the plurality of seismic data sources are respectively attached to the line network; and a router (135) for routing data generated by the seismic data sources (120) to the data collection system (140) through the data source nodes (130) in accordance with the open network protocol.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for in-field configuration of land survey sensors. One or more planned positions of the sensors may be received. One or more actual positions of the sensors be determined. The actual positions may be sent to the sensors while the sensors are powered off.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for configuring a seismic data acquisition network. A first message may be received from a first node of the seismic data acquisition network over a first direct communication link. The first message may comprise a first precision quality of a first reference clock to which the first node may be synchronized. A second message may be received from a second node of the seismic data acquisition network over a second direct communication link. The second message may comprise a second precision quality of a second reference clock to which the second node may be synchronized. One of the first precision quality and the second precision quality may be determined to have a higher precision quality. A real time clock may be synchronized to one of the first reference clock and second reference clock having the higher precision quality.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for configuring a wireless seismic acquisition network. A plurality of seismic receivers may be positioned over a survey area in a fixed pattern. A first message may be received from the receivers. The first message may indicate one or more base stations that are available for transferring seismic data from the receivers to a recording system. A second message may be received from the base stations. The second message may indicate a maximum number of receivers for which each of the base stations can transfer seismic data. One of the base stations may be assigned to each receiver without exceeding the maximum number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a real time clock of a slave computer with a real time clock of a master computer. The method includes the steps of: calculating a first time drift value between the real time clock of the slave computer and the real time clock of the master computer, calculating a second time drift value between the real time clock of the slave computer and the real time clock of the master computer, calculating an average time drift value between the real time clock of the slave computer and the real time clock of the master computer using the first time drift value and the second time drift value, and adjusting the real time clock of the slave computer using the average time drift value.

Abstract: A survey data acquisition system acquires survey data regarding a subterranean structure. Information is wirelessly communicated between a wireless survey receiver and a wireless concentrator. The wireless communication uses a wireless protocol based on a WiFi communications technology, where the wireless protocol employs time division multiplexing in which a larger number of time slots are assigned for uplink communication from the wireless survey receiver to the wireless concentrator than for downlink communication from the wireless concentrator to the wireless survey receiver.