Seismic Prospecting Patents (Class 367/14)
  • Patent number: 11846742
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to detect and localize targeted objects buried in the seabed. A targeted area of the seabed may be scanned with a sub-bottom profiler based on predetermined parameters. A localization engine may model the sub-bottom profiler data using a Levenberg-Marquardt non-linear least squares determination. Distance measurements may be based on the modeled data, including a vertical range based on a slant range measured from the sub-bottom profiler to the closest points on the exterior of the targeted objects. The location of the targeted objects may be based on the measurements. In some embodiments, the sub-bottom profiler may be mounted on an unmanned underwater vehicle having thrusters to navigate the vehicle toward the targeted area to excavate and sidescan the targeted object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Wendy E Snyder, Forrest N French, Stephen John Leahu
  • Patent number: 11435492
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the optimum positioning of source-receiver pairs capable of acquiring seismic data, comprising: a first step of identifying a zone of interest having been the subject of an earlier seismic acquisition, in order to obtain an image of the subsoil of same; a second step of obtaining seismic data acquired during the earlier seismic acquisition of said zone of interest during a time of interest; a third step of applying a partial or total demigration of seismic data, in order to determine the positions of each source-receiver pair having contributed to the image of said subsoil of said zone of interest during said time of interest; a fourth step of obtaining unprocessed traces for said source-receiver pair positions; a fifth step of selecting at least one optimum unprocessed trace from among said unprocessed traces; and a sixth step of determining the source-receiver pair positions corresponding to said at least one optimum unprocessed trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SPOTLIGHT
    Inventors: Habib Al-Khatib, Elodie Morgan
  • Patent number: 11209567
    Abstract: A system includes a ground based area, an electromagnetic (EM) interrogation device having an EM emitter that directs an EM beam at the ground based area. The EM interrogation device includes a detector array that receives reflected EM radiation from the EM beam, and a controller having a ground movement description module that determines a movement profile of the ground based area in response to the reflected EM radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Exciting Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. McManamon, J. Stephen Wills
  • Patent number: 11035968
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Chengbo Li, Charles C. Mosher, Robert G. Keys, Peter M. Eick, Sam T. Kaplan, Joel D. Brewer
  • Patent number: 10768326
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to adjustment of seismic survey boundaries to remove or minimize data gaps, thereby providing optimized seismic interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Nam Xuan Nguyen, Richard George Maset
  • Patent number: 10632500
    Abstract: A Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (PMUT) device includes a substrate, an edge support structure connected to the substrate, and a membrane connected to the edge support structure such that a cavity is defined between the membrane and the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies, the membrane having non-uniform stiffness. The membrane includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to opposing sides of the piezoelectric layer, and a mechanical support layer coupled to one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Renata Melamud Berger, Eldwin Ng
  • Patent number: 10524734
    Abstract: A method for communicating beat parameters to a user includes: providing an electrode module comprising a first and a second set of electrodes, associated with a first and a second sensor channel, respectively; receiving a first and a second dataset based on a first and a second set of bioelectrical signals detected from the first and the second sensor channel, respectively; receiving a supplemental dataset based on supplemental bioelectrical signals detected from a supplemental sensor module; generating a noise-mitigated power spectrum upon: generating a combined dataset based upon combining the first and second datasets, calculating 1) a heart power spectrum based on the combined data set, and 2) a supplemental power spectrum based on the supplemental dataset, and generating a noise-mitigated power spectrum based on processing the heart power spectrum with the supplemental power spectrum; and rendering information derived from a beat parameter analysis to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAD Apparel, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Korzinov, Ankit Gordhandas, Christopher Wiebe
  • Patent number: 10345461
    Abstract: A technique includes towing at least one seismic source in connection with a survey of a structure; and operating the seismic source(s) to fire shots, where each shot is associated with a frequency sweep. The technique includes varying phases of the frequency sweeps from shot to shot according to a predetermined phase sequence to allow noise in an energy sensed by seismic sensors to be attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 10317542
    Abstract: Source and receiver locations are optimized for acquiring seismic data used in compressive sensing reconstruction. A minimized multidimensional mutual coherence map, which includes a mutual coherence value at each (x,y) location in the mutual coherence map, is used to determine the optimal source and receiver locations from available source and receiver locations in respective, uniformly spaced, target survey grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: In-Depth Compressive Seismic, Inc.
    Inventor: Tao Jiang
  • Patent number: 10317544
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for conducting a seismic survey. The system includes a seismic sensor supplying a seismic signal; sampling circuitry configured to convert the signal to a sequence of samples, each sample represented by a bit string; a data communication device configured to transmit compressed seismic data; a recording computer configured to receive compressed seismic data; at least one processor with a computer memory accessible thereto, the at least one processor configured to: create a sample block by storing at least a portion of the sequence of samples in memory units in the computer memory, wherein each sample is stored in a corresponding memory unit; and compress data contained in the sample block by encoding all bits of a particular bit number from the memory units of the sample block in sequence to produce compressed seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INOVA LTD.
    Inventor: William T. McDavid
  • Patent number: 9880146
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, INC
    Inventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
  • Patent number: 9864086
    Abstract: A method for estimating saturation using mCSEM data and stochastic petrophysical models by quantifying the average water saturation in a reservoir given the transverse resistance (TR) obtained from mCSEM data, including the following steps: a) obtaining mCSEM survey data from a subsurface region of interest, b) performing an inversion of the obtained mCSEM data, c) subtracting a background resistivity trend from the mCSEM inversion data from the resistivity trend of the mCSEM inversion data from inside a hydrocarbon reservoir, d) estimating the location of an anomaly in the mCSEM inversion data, e) estimating the magnitude of the transverse resistance associated with an anomaly from the mCSEM inversion data, f) estimating an initial average reservoir saturation corresponding to transverse resistance using a stochastic petrophysical model and Monte Carlo simulation connecting reservoir parameters to transverse resistance, and g) integrating the obtained saturation distribution as a function of transverse resis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Torgeir Wiik, Per Atle Olsen, Lars Ole Løseth
  • Patent number: 9804281
    Abstract: Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) analysis is a technique commonly used to conduct geophysical surveys of subterranean features. The processing of a VSP includes several steps, usually including a final step of depth migration. In order to properly process and image VSP data using depth migration, a velocity model of the subsurface must be known or derived. A variety of criteria can be used to ascertain whether the velocity used for migration is accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Willis, Yue Du
  • Patent number: 9742437
    Abstract: Lossless data compression and depression devices and lossless data compression and decompression methods are provided. The lossless data compression device includes a processor and an entropy coding circuit. The processor is arranged to determine whether a raw data stream matches data items in a dictionary when a compression command for the raw data stream is received and output corresponding codewords according to the determination result. The entropy coding circuit is arranged to perform entropy coding on the corresponding codewords to obtain a compressed data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Minxue Liang
  • Patent number: 9657564
    Abstract: An illustrative seismic while drilling system includes a drill string having at least one seismic sensor that can be employed to detect seismic signals during pauses in the drilling process, e.g., when extending the length of the drill string. An embedded processor digitizes a signal from the seismic sensor to obtain a digital waveform and processes the digital waveform to derive a compressed waveform representation for storage or transmission. Compression is provided by adaptively reducing the sampling rate and quantization resolution subject to one or more quality constraints including, e.g., error in first break timing, error in first break sign, mean square error, and bit count. Reasonably good representations of the received acoustic waveforms can be achieve with less than 200 bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Victor Stolpman
  • Patent number: 9625363
    Abstract: A measuring head, intended to be fitted to a dynamic penetrometer, and attached to a drill string provided with a tip, includes a driving head intended to receive an impact to be transmitted, via the rest of the measuring head, to the drill string; and a central rod for transmitting the impact from the driving head to the drill string, the central rod having a first end turned towards the driving head, and a second end opposite the first end, and suitable for engaging with the drill string, the central rod being provided with at least one deformation sensor. It includes at least one absorption member interposed between an impact receiving end portion of the driving head and the second end of the central rod and which is suitable for filtering the wave transmitted to the drill string when the end portion of the driving head receives an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SOL SOLUTION
    Inventors: Roland Gourves, Miguel Benz Navarrete
  • Patent number: 9513392
    Abstract: Estimation of direct arrival signals based on predicted direct arrival signals and measurements can include obtaining notional source signatures for notional sources that correspond to source elements in a seismic source. A first predicted direct arrival signal at a first location and a second predicted direct arrival signal at a second location can be determined. The first location corresponds to a seismic receiver and the second location does not correspond to a seismic receiver. A transfer function can be determined based on the first predicted direct arrival signal at the first location and the second predicted direct arrival signal at the second location. An estimated direct arrival signal at the second location can be determined based on the transfer function and a measurement by the seismic receiver corresponding to the first location. The estimated direct arrival signal represents what a measured direct arrival signal would be at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Stian Hegna
  • Patent number: 9329287
    Abstract: A method of controlling seismic data acquisition may include sending a first message to place a plurality of energy sources into an operating mode; sending a second message to place at least one of plurality of energy sources into a non-operating mode; and sending a third message from at least one energy source to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: INOVA, LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas Phillips, Keith Radcliffe, Bernard Maechler, Igor Samoylov
  • Patent number: 9304219
    Abstract: An acquisition device includes a pair of input terminals for connection to an analog seismic sensor generating a seismic signal. The device includes a detector for detecting a disconnection of the sensor, which includes a current source for injecting a low current in the sensor to generate an offset signal which depends on electrical resistance of the sensor and is added to the seismic signal. The offset signal encroaches on only a part of an operating range of the acquisition device. The voltage measured at the input terminals is applied to an analog-digital converter and a filter to obtain a measured value of the offset signal. A processing unit either analyzes a temporal variation of the measured value and triggers an alarm if a determined condition is satisfied, or transmits the measured value to a remote device adapted to analyze the temporal variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventor: Jerome Laine
  • Patent number: 9250341
    Abstract: Computer instructions, computing device and method for processing seismic data under-sampled in an angle domain, the seismic data corresponding to a reverse time migration, three-dimensional, angle domain common image gather (ADCIG). The method includes receiving the seismic data; calculating, based on the seismic data, shot and receiver wave-fields with an RTM wave propagation engine; applying a wave-fields decomposition algorithm to obtain a propagation direction for the shot and receiver wave-fields; forming the ADCIG by applying an image condition to the shot and receiver wave-fields; determining that specular energies of the ADCIG are under-sampled around a reflection angle; during the step of forming the ADCIG, extrapolating the specular energies to a neighborhood of the reflection angle; and generating an image of a subsurface that is being surveyed based on the extrapolated specular energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Bing Tang, Sheng Xu, Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9250336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for two separate seismic crews to work in proximity to one another that would otherwise require expensive time sharing where one crew is a conventional seismic acquisition system and the other is a phase encoded seismic acquisition system. Typically, each recording system would receive seismic energy from the other that neither data set would be very useful. The invention primarily envisions some collaboration between the crews where each adjusts its sweeps to comprise a different time duration so that the energy the other crew's sources are distinguishable in the data set and easily eliminated therefrom. Distinctions may be further enhanced when the two crews use construct their sweeps so that each crew has a distinctly different start frequency and a distinctly different end frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer, Stephen K. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20150138917
    Abstract: A method for controlling impulsive sources during a geophysical survey includes receiving a set of predetermined shooting times for an impulsive source, receiving a detonation authorization for the impulsive source, and delaying a triggering of the impulsive source until a next available shooting time of the plurality of predetermined shooting times. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: CGG Services SA
    Inventors: Jason Jurok, Tom Preusser, Olivier Winter, Peter Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20150138918
    Abstract: A system for controlling impulsive sources during a geophysical survey includes a triggering unit that interfaces to an impulsive source and provides an estimated current location for the impulsive source and a shot controller configured to transmit a detonation authorization to the triggering unit. The shot controller or the triggering unit may inhibit detonation of an impulsive source connected to the selected triggering unit if an estimated current location of the impulsive source is substantially different than an intended shot location. A corresponding apparatus and method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: CGG Services SA
    Inventors: Jason Jurok, Tom Preusser
  • Publication number: 20150124561
    Abstract: The invention discloses a sound velocity profile (SVP) streamlining and optimization method based on maximum offset of velocity, and provides detailed comprehensive technical process so as to solve the problem that the work efficiency of multi-beam detection and data processing are seriously influenced because the original sound velocity profile has a large data quantity. An MOV method is provided and is used for deleting the redundant points automatically and quickly, and for evaluating the influence of the streamlined sound velocity profile on precision of multi-beam sounding through ray tracing and error analysis. The method has an important actual application value in the aspects of marine surveying and charting, multi-beam surveying, a marine geographic information system, computer graphics, submarine science research and the like, and can be popularized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: The Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration
    Inventors: Ziyin Wu, Dineng Zhao, Jieqiong Zhou, Shoujun Li, Jihong Shang
  • Publication number: 20150124560
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for determining optimal sampling grid during seismic data reconstruction includes: a) constructing an optimization model, via a computing processor, given by minu?Su?1 s.t. ?Ru?b?2?? wherein S is a discrete transform matrix, b is seismic data on an observed grid, u is seismic data on a reconstruction grid, and matrix R is a sampling operator; b) defining mutual coherence as ? ? C S ? m ( log ? ? n ) 6 , wherein C is a constant, S is a cardinality of Su, m is proportional to number of seismic traces on the observed grid, and n is proportional to number of seismic traces on the reconstruction grid; c) deriving a mutual coherence proxy, wherein the mutual coherence proxy is a proxy for mutual coherence when S is over-complete and wherein the mutual coherence proxy is exactly the mutual coherence when S is a Fourier transform; and d) determining a sample grid r*=arg minr ?(r).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Chengbo LI, Sam T. KAPLAN, Charles C. MOSHER, Joel D. BREWER, Robert G. KEYS
  • Publication number: 20150117143
    Abstract: Method for mitigating coherent noise and seismic data using an adaptively varying filter. The strongest and most coherent pattern (53), generally associated with the geology, is adaptively removed (56) from the original seismic data, producing an intermediate product that consists predominantly of noise. These noise data are then removed from the original input data (57) to produce a significantly more interpretable seismic volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mark W. Dobin, Guo-Shi Li
  • Publication number: 20150109882
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving sensor data; sorting the data into a gather representation that corresponds to a plurality of shots of an energy source; and determining a signal cone based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the gather representation. The technique includes processing the sensor data in a processor-based machine to attenuate noise to generate data representing a signal based at least in part on the determined signal cone and the gather representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Susanne Rentsch-Smith, Ali Ozbek, Wouter Gerrit Brouwer, Jason Gardner
  • Publication number: 20150103623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing seismic signals comprising: receiving a set of seismic signals, applying a wavelet transformation to the set of signals and generating transformed signals across a plurality of scales. Then for each scale determining coherence information indicative of the transformed signals and generating a comparison matrix comparing the transformed signals, then outputting seismic attribute information based on combined coherence information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Adam Gersztenkorn
  • Patent number: 9001619
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for determining the orientation and direction of first motion of a fault or fracture by optimizing an azimuthally-dependent attribute of signals generated by microseismic sources, comprising: recording microseismic data traces using a of sensors located at a plurality of sensor positions; subdividing the subsurface volume into spatial volumes corresponding to selected time intervals and comprising a plurality of voxels; for each voxel, applying a time shift to the microseismic data traces that is substantially equal to a travel time from each voxel to the corresponding sensor position, and determining for the voxel the orientation and direction of first motion of the fault or fracture corresponding to a maximum value for the voxel of at least one azimuthally-dependent attribute of the microseismic data traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Global Microseismic Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Diller, Barry Fish, Ran Xuan, Charles John Sicking
  • Publication number: 20150092517
    Abstract: The output spectrum of a controllable swept-frequency acoustic source at a given frequency can be controlled by making the rate of change of frequency equal to the desired output power spectrum divided by the squared envelope amplitude of the source output signal, both measured at the time after the start of its frequency sweep at which the sweep frequency passes through the given frequency. The system and method can also be used to correct for propagation effects outside the source by dividing the desired spectrum by the propagation effect. The method can further be used either to obtain an output spectrum of a desired shape from a source operating at maximum output or to design a sweep of a minimum feasible duration that will result in an output spectrum of a specified shape and with a specified amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Dellinger, Mark Francis Lucien Harper
  • Publication number: 20150092516
    Abstract: A method for transmitting acoustic signals from pingers. The method includes transmitting acoustic signals from a first group of pingers within a seismic spread. The method includes transmitting acoustic signals from a second group of pingers within the seismic spread after a predetermined amount of time has passed, wherein the signals from the first group and the second group are emitted between two seismic shots. The first group of pingers and the second group of pingers are mutually exclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: SVEIN ARNE FRIVIK, LEENDERT COMBEE
  • Patent number: 8994549
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for facilitating oilfield operations utilizing auditory data. In one embodiment, the present invention generates one or more auditory mapping structures whereby oilfield data may be mapped to sounds. The present invention provides at least one computer generated selection tool through which the user may select one or more portions of displayed oilfield data for auditory enhancement. Once the user has indicated an area of interest using the selection tool, the present invention may identify the oilfield data displayed within the outlined area of interest, identify auditory data associated with the displayed oilfield data utilizing one or more auditory mapping structures, and emit at least a portion of the identified auditory data to enhance the user's understanding of the displayed oilfield data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos F. P. Rocha, Flavio Ivan Da Silva
  • Publication number: 20150085604
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for real-time seismic data acquisition management. In one implementation, seismic data captured using one or more monitoring devices at a remote seismic exploration project site is received. A seismic field record is detected in the captured seismic data automatically using at least one processor, and a network connection with a cloud storage array is established. The detected seismic field record is automatically sent to the cloud computing array over the network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ubiterra Corporation
    Inventor: Peter W. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 8990217
    Abstract: A method for receiving a data stream that includes data samples, each data sample having one of a plurality of actual values. For each data sample in the data stream, a first index in a dictionary is selected. The dictionary includes indices corresponding to each of the plurality of actual values. The first index corresponds to an actual value of the data sample. A predicted value of the data sample is generated in response to previously received data samples in the data stream and to a prediction algorithm. A second index in the dictionary that corresponds to an actual value in the dictionary that is closest to the value of the predicted value is selected. The difference between the first index and the second index is calculated and compressed. The compressed difference between the first index and the second index is then output. This process is performed for each data sample in the data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashish Jagmohan, Joshua W. Knight, Luis A. Lastras-Montano
  • Patent number: 8983141
    Abstract: An automated method for texture segmentation (11) of geophysical data volumes, where texture is defined by double-window statistics of data values, the statistics being generated by a smaller pattern window moving around within a larger sampling window (12). A measure of “distance” between two locations is selected based on similarity between the double-window statistics from sampling windows centered at the two locations (13). Clustering of locations is then based on distance proximity (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Krishnan Kumaran
  • Publication number: 20150029822
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enhanced monitoring of induced seismicity and industrial vibration to comprehensively measure all aspects of potentially damaging motion. The invention utilizes various combinations of multi-component low frequency linear seismic sensors and multi-component rotational seismic sensors. Sensors are jointly deployed in arrays on the free surface of the earth, and/or in arrays of shallow monitoring holes, which may be intended to be permanent deployments. The method has a wide range of risk/damage monitoring applications for industrial activity, and in oil and gas exploration and production for seismic surveys, hydraulic fracturing, and waste injection wells. This abstract is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the claims of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Robert H. Brune
  • Publication number: 20150003193
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer instructions and method for controlling an energy output of a source array to be used in a seismic survey for illuminating a subsurface. The method includes generating a model (?) based on up-going (U) and down-going (D) components of seismic waves generated by source elements that form the source array; calculating the amplitudes and phases of each source element based on the model (?); and driving the source array based on the calculated amplitudes and phases for the source elements so that a ghost generated by the source array is reduced at emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Cecile BERRON, Julien MEUNIER
  • Publication number: 20140369162
    Abstract: There is a method for finding a best distribution of source elements that form a vibratory source array. The method includes inputting plural constraints for the source elements; generating plural distributions of the source elements that fulfill the plural constraints; calculating for each distribution a performance index characterizing the source array; and selecting the best distribution from the plural distributions based on a value of the performance index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Benoit TEYSSANDIER, Robert DOWLE, Dominique THOMAS, John SALLAS
  • Publication number: 20140362659
    Abstract: An array of seismic energy receivers is deployed at fixed locations across the length and width of a land surface area of interest. A land fleet composed of a number of vibratory swept frequency or vibroseis seismic energy sources is deployed at predetermined initial locations within the receiver array. The sources are arranged in groups which at their initial locations are spaced from other groups of the source fleet by an intergroup spacing distance representing a segment of the receiver array. Each of the vibratory sources in a source group is assigned within that group a designated specific length for its energy emissions and a frequency sweep band different from the other sources in the group. The sources in all groups concurrently emit energy at a succession of spaced, assigned locations as they are moved incrementally over their respective intergroup spacings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Constantios Tsingas
  • Patent number: 8908472
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring seismic data from a seismic survey plan is provided. A survey area is selected in which the seismic data will be acquired. A coordinate for at least one point of interest within the survey area is determined and input into a portable navigation device. A navigation solution is determined between a GPS-determined location of the portable navigation device and the determined coordinate and thereupon presented in a human cognizable media. A seismic device may be positioned at the determined coordinate to insonify a subterranean formation with seismic energy or for detecting reflected seismic energy. Data may be periodically entered into and retrieved from the portable navigation device by an in-field operator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Inova Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Bull, Craig Williamson, Martin C. Williams, Scott T. Hoenmans
  • Patent number: 8902697
    Abstract: A technique includes providing seismic data that is indicative of energy that is sensed in response to a first operation of at least one seismic source in a first seismic survey and a second operation of at least one seismic source in a second seismic survey. The technique includes processing the seismic data to determine a timing of the second operation relative to the first operation, and the technique includes based at least in part of the determined timing, processing the seismic data to generate a dataset, which is indicative of the sensed energy that is attributable to the first operation and is not attributable to the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20140340986
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting geophysical information may include a geophysical information station disposed along a seismic communication cable. A bypass circuit responsive to a command signal is in communication with a switching circuit that is operable to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal. An exemplary method for bypassing a geophysical information station in a geophysical information collection system includes sending a command signal to a bypass circuit and activating one or more switching circuits using the bypass circuit to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Allen J. Bishop, Leon Lovheim, Magne Oldervoll, Samuel K. Ingram, Stephen Tom D. Gray
  • Publication number: 20140334253
    Abstract: The application describes methods and apparatus for seismic monitoring using fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). The method involves interrogating a first optical fibre (102) deployed in an area of interest to provide a distributed acoustic sensor comprising a plurality of longitudinal sensing portions of fibre and also monitoring at least one geophone (107) deployed in the area of interest. The signal from the at least one geophone is analysed to detect an event of interest (105). If an event of interest is detected the data from the distributed acoustic sensor acquired during said event of interest is recorded. Th geophone may be co-located with part of the sensing fibre and in some embodiments may be integrated (307) with the sensing fibre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Edmond Lumens, Samantha Grandi
  • Publication number: 20140301160
    Abstract: Vibration transducers, sensors including the vibration transducers, and methods for manufacturing the same. The vibration transducer may include a magnet. The vibration transducer may include a bobbin disposed about the magnet. The vibration transducer may include a first coil disposed about the bobbin. The vibration transducer may include a controllable damping coil disposed about the bobbin. The first coil is movable relative to the magnet. The magnet is polarized with respect to the axis of the vibration transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Kamata
  • Publication number: 20140293741
    Abstract: Seismic surveying techniques are described in which seismic receivers in a seismic array are used as seismic sources. These receiver-sources may be used to determine the near-surface structures of the Earth, geometric properties of the survey array, receiver locations and operations of the survey array. The receiver-sources may be driven by drive sequences to produce amplified receiver-source signals, plane waves, surface waves converging towards a point inside the seismic array, surface waves sweeping through the seismic array and/or the like. The receiver-sources may comprise geophones, hydrophones, accelerometers and/or the like. A driver may be used to drive the receiver-sources and the driver may be controlled by a processor. By encoding drive sequences, seismic data generated by the receiver-sources may be separated from seismic data generated by another seismic source in the seismic array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Julian Edward Kragh, Pascal Edme, David Neser, Martin Howlid
  • Publication number: 20140286125
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a seismic survey. The system includes a first seismic source and a second seismic source configured for generating seismic signals. The first seismic source is configured for generating seismic signals ranging from about 4 Hz to about 120 Hz. The second seismic source is configured for generating seismic signals ranging from about 0 Hz to about 8 Hz. The system includes receivers to receive seismic data in response to seismic signals generated by the seismic sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: John QUIGLEY
  • Publication number: 20140269167
    Abstract: A system for acquiring seismic information may include a seismic spread in signal communication with a central controller having a central recording system, a source encoder in signal communication with the seismic spread, and a source decoder in wireless signal communication with the source encoder. The source decoder and the encoder are each selectively responsive to a control signal and can be selectively configured to transmit the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INOVA, LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Phillips, III, Timothy D. Hladik, Keith S. Radcliffe, Igor Samoylov, Bernard Maechler, Gerald H. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20140254308
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to identifying reflected acoustic signals. In one implementation, a method may include receiving initial positions of an acoustic positioning source and an acoustic positioning receiver of an acoustic positioning system in a seismic spread. The method may also include calculating an expected travel difference between the acoustic positioning source and the acoustic positioning receiver. The method may further include receiving an acoustic positioning signal from the acoustic positioning receiver. The method may additionally include calculating an actual travel difference between the acoustic positioning source and the acoustic positioning receiver based on the acoustic positioning signal. The method may further include comparing the actual travel difference to the expected travel difference. The method may also include identifying whether the acoustic positioning signal is a reflected positioning signal based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: KENNETH E. WELKER
  • Publication number: 20140254312
    Abstract: A resonant source element is configured to generate seismic waves in water. The resonant source element includes a housing having two openings covered by first and second pistons, wherein the first and second pistons are configured to freely translate relative to the housing to generate the seismic waves; and a high-pressure system configured to discharge inside the housing and to actuate the first and second pistons. The first and second pistons are configured to oscillate after the high-pressure system is fired to generate low-frequency seismic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Robert DOWLE, Hervé RICHER DE FORGES, John SALLAS
  • Publication number: 20140254309
    Abstract: A digital seismic recorder including wired, wireless and cable-less telemetry, which is optimized and combined from three types of instrument: a wired telemetry digital seismic recorder, a wireless telemetry digital seismic recorder and a cable-less digital seismic recorder, is divided into four main parts: a central control operating system (CCOS), a wired telemetering Acquisition Station (AS), a Wireless telemetering Acquisition Station (WAS) and a Cable-less Acquisition Station (CAS). The CCOS is respectively connected to a wired communication Root Unit (RU), a Wireless communication Root Unit (WRU) and a Cable-less Data Unit (CDU), and controls and connects the AS via the RU, controls and connects the WAS via the WRU, and retrieves the data of the CAS via the CDU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jian Guo, Guangding Liu, Jinghua Xu