Abstract: A method of generating a magnetic anomaly map and a system to develop a magnetic anomaly map are described. The method includes obtaining magnetic compass data recorded by two or more magnetic compasses disposed along a seismic streamer that traverses a first area and obtaining measurements from one or more navigation systems over the first area. The method also includes determining a correct position of each of the two or more magnetic compasses based on the measurements from the one or more navigation systems, and comparing the magnetic compass data with theoretical magnetic field data at the correct positions to generate a magnetic anomaly map.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing continuous seismic survey. In particular, the present invention employs a semaphore scheme for the vibes to autonomously and continuously initiate sweeps, thereby decoupling the vibratory source subsystem from the recording subsystem. By using a continuous recorder and the method of the present invention, the recording trucks and the observers can be eliminated, and the vibratory sources can be initiated more efficiently than conventional systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of marine 3D seismic data acquisition that do not require compensation for winds and currents.

Abstract: Improved methods of providing acoustic source signals for seismic surveying, wherein a plurality of signals can be easily separated from one another after data acquisition, wherein the source signals are not sweep based.

Abstract: A method of more accurate phase encoding of phase offset vibrators used in simultaneous-multiple-sourcing 3D seismic mapping. The method measures the actual input energy and the proxy energy thereby determining a bulk error and a frequency-dependent error, both to be applied to correct the proxy energy. The corrected proxy energy is then used to perform actual seismic survey, and the inversion is then performed using the corrected proxy energy to source separate each vibe where the error is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting for deviation of an ambient magnetic field direction from a reference direction in a marine environment includes: an instrument assembly vessel configured to move through the marine environment; an inertial reference direction device disposed on the instrument assembly vessel and configured to measure a deviation of an aiming direction of the instrument assembly vessel from the reference direction; a reference magnetic compass disposed on the instrument assembly vessel and configured to measure a direction of the ambient magnetic field direction with respect to the aiming direction of the instrument assembly vessel and to transmit the measured direction; and a processor configured to receive the measured deviation and the measured direction and to calculate the deviation of the ambient magnetic field direction from the reference direction using the received measured deviation and direction.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing and optimizing a seismic survey design are described. Specifically, the sampling quality is analyzed as opposed to the overall quality of the whole survey. This allows for analysis of the impact of the offsets, obstacles, and other aspects of the survey on the sampling quality, which will improve the ability to compress the resulting data and minimize acquisition footprints.

Abstract: A method for 2D seismic data acquisition includes determining source-point seismic survey positions for a combined deep profile seismic data acquisition with a shallow profile seismic data acquisition wherein the source-point positions are based on non-uniform optimal sampling. A seismic data set is acquired with a first set of air-guns optimized for a deep-data seismic profile and the data set is acquired with a second set of air-guns optimized for a shallow-data seismic profile. The data are de-blended to obtain a deep 2D seismic dataset and a shallow 2D seismic dataset.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of marine 3D seismic data acquisition that do not require compensation for winds and currents.

Abstract: Novel proppants, proppant mixes and proppant slurries comprising a diamagnetic polymeric proppant that exhibits induced paramagnetism in an AC field is used to prop hydraulic fractures, and the paramagnetism used to assess fracture width, depth, connectivity, branching and the like. Fracturing methods are also provided, together with fracture assessment and imaging methods.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing and optimizing a seismic survey design are described. Specifically, the sampling quality is analyzed as opposed to the overall quality of the whole survey. This allows for analysis of the impact of the offsets, obstacles, and other aspects of the survey on the sampling quality, which will improve the ability to compress the resulting data and minimize acquisition footprints.

Abstract: A method of performing notch compensation and a system to perform notch compensation for a first seismic streamer are described. The method includes disposing the first seismic streamer at a first depth, where the seismic streamer includes a first set of sensors to receive reflections resulting from a seismic source, the reflections indicating a notch at a frequency. The method also includes disposing a second seismic streamer at a second depth, the second depth being less than the first depth and the second seismic streamer including a second set of sensors to receive reflections resulting from the seismic source. The method further includes processing the reflections received by the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors together to derive the match filter, and applying the match filter to the reflections received by the first set of sensors of the first seismic streamer to compensate for the notch.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal flare spacing for streamers towed behind a seismic vessel comprising the steps of: using a computer specially adapted with a seismic data analysis package to analyze prior seismic data for a survey area; analyzing migration broadcast patterns to estimate a maximum sampling distance; calculating a wavelet expansion as a function of flare spacing; creating synthetic gaps in the prior seismic data coverage by dropping traces at different flare spacing; testing capability of different interpolation algorithms in the seismic data analysis package to close the synthetic gaps; and determining an optimal flare spacing based upon the capability of the different interpolation algorithms to close the synthetic gaps.

Abstract: Improved methods of gather high fidelity vibratory seismic surveys for ZenSeis® systems wherein at least one optimal phase encoding schemes for surveys having 2-8 vibratory sources are disclosed. These encoding schemes can be hard coded into the source controller and will allow for quality data to be obtained on each survey. Further, the data will also have the best separation during inversion processing steps, leading to an optimal seismic survey.

Abstract: A method of performing notch compensation and a system to perform notch compensation for a first seismic streamer are described. The method includes disposing the first seismic streamer at a first depth, where the seismic streamer includes a first set of sensors to receive reflections resulting from a seismic source, the reflections indicating a notch at a frequency. The method also includes disposing a second seismic streamer at a second depth, the second depth being less than the first depth and the second seismic streamer including a second set of sensors to receive reflections resulting from the seismic source. The method further includes processing the reflections received by the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors together to derive the match filter, and applying the match filter to the reflections received by the first set of sensors of the first seismic streamer to compensate for the notch.

Abstract: Vibrators for producing seismic signals for use in oil and gas exploration are equipped with segmented base plates, each segment being independently controlled and activated. The use of an array of base plate segments allows the individual segments of the array to be activated in a particular pattern, thus generating S-waves and other unconventional wave patterns for seismic use.

Abstract: A method of measuring seismic signals generated by marine acoustic sources includes deploying at least one seismic sensor unit to a location on a floor of a body of water within a survey area, and recording seismic signals that include a real measured far field signature generated by a seismic source during a marine seismic survey. The method further includes automatically actuating a retrieval device to cause the at least one seismic sensor unit to rise to the surface, in response to expiration of the selected time period or an actuation signal from the surface, retrieving the at least one seismic sensor unit from the surface, and processing seismic data collected from the return signal. Processing including identifying a far field signature of the seismic source based on the signals detected by the seismic sensor, and designaturing the seismic data based on the far field signature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for seismic acquisition the spacing between each adjacent pairs of receiver and sources lines is not all the same. Some receiver and/or source lines and/or receiver and/or source spacings are larger and some are smaller to provide a higher quality wavefield reconstruction when covering a larger total area or for a similar total area of seismic data acquisition while providing a wavefield that is optimally sampled by the receivers and sources so that the wavefield reconstruction is suitable for subsurface imaging needs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for seismic acquisition the spacing between each adjacent pairs of receiver and sources lines is not all the same. Some receiver and/or source lines and/or receiver and/or source spacings are larger and some are smaller to provide a higher quality wavefield reconstruction when covering a larger total area or for a similar total area of seismic data acquisition while providing a wavefield that is optimally sampled by the receivers and sources so that the wavefield reconstruction is suitable for subsurface imaging needs.