Offshore Prospecting Patents (Class 367/15)
  • Patent number: 11940273
    Abstract: A method (100) and system (500) for determining a floe size distribution (350), (516) for a plurality of floes within a geographical area (204), comprising determining a chord length distribution (512) for the geographical area (204), the chord length distribution (512) comprising a plurality of measured floe chord lengths, and determining the floe size distribution (350, 516) over the geographical area (204) based on the chord length distribution (512), the floe size distribution (350, 516) comprising a plurality of floe diameters (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
    Inventor: Christopher Horvat
  • Patent number: 11835672
    Abstract: Method for acquiring seismic data is described. The method includes determining a non-uniform optimal sampling design that includes a compressive sensing sampling grid. Placing a plurality of source lines or receiver lines at a non-uniform optimal line interval. Placing a plurality of receivers or nodes at a non-uniform optimal receiver interval. Towing a plurality of streamers attached to a vessel, wherein the plurality of streamers is spaced apart at non-uniform optimal intervals based on the compressive sensing sampling grid. Firing a plurality of shots from one or more seismic sources at non-uniform optimal shot intervals. Acquiring seismic data via the plurality of receivers or nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Shearwater GeoServices Software Inc.
    Inventors: Chengbo Li, Charles C. Mosher, Frank D. Janiszewski, Laurence S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11796702
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc, Chance Mann
  • Patent number: 11762113
    Abstract: A method for calculating a velocity vp(f, Topt) of a spatially aliased wave that propagates along a cable includes tensioning the cable, wherein plural sensors are distributed along the cable; measuring with the plural sensors a parameter that is associated with vibrations that propagate along the cable; calculating a phase velocity vp(f) of the spatially aliased wave that propagates along the cable, as a function of a time frequency fin a spatial-temporal frequency domain FK; calculating a model-based velocity vp(f, T) of the spatially aliased wave as a function of the time frequency f and a tension T in the cable; and calculating the velocity vp(f, Topt) of the spatially aliased wave using a model-guided regression, which is based on the phase velocity vp(f) and the model-based velocity vp(f, T). The velocity vp(f, Topt) is a function of the temporal frequency f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventors: Viktor Smirnov, Julien Ribette
  • Patent number: 11747497
    Abstract: The present application provides a seafloor multi-wave seismic source including: a pressure chamber mechanism; a high-voltage pulse generator with four discharge pathways; a thrust mechanism with a thrust rod and a thrust head; four vibrators are evenly distributed around a periphery of the thrust head, and each vibrator is connected with one discharge pathway of the high-voltage pulse generator; a power supply unit to power the seismic source; and a processor, a memory and a program, wherein the program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor; and the program includes: pulse emission instructions generated by the processor based on user settings and received by the high-voltage pulse generator, for switching on four or any two of the four discharge pathways at the same time, to enable the corresponding vibrators to vibrate to excite seismic waves in compression wave mode or shear wave mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FIRST INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY, MNR
    Inventors: Yanliang Pei, Kai Liu, Mingming Wen, Chenguang Liu, Yifan Huang, Liancheng Zhang, Keping Yan, Baohua Liu
  • Patent number: 11747500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for data acquisition including: acquiring a first set of data for a survey area with streamer receivers on a streamer spread; and simultaneously acquiring a second set of data for the area with ocean bottom receivers, the first and second sets of data together forming a complete dataset for velocity modeling and imaging. A method including: navigating a first propulsion source along a first path in the area, wherein a streamer spread and a first seismic source are coupled to the first propulsion source; navigating a second propulsion source along a second path in the area, wherein a second seismic source is coupled to the second propulsion source; while navigating the first and second propulsion sources, activating at least one of the first and second seismic sources; and acquiring data with receivers on the streamer spread and with ocean bottom receivers distributed throughout the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Arvind Sharma
  • Patent number: 11681063
    Abstract: A multi-function acquisition device comprising a connector having two connection terminals, and an electronic circuit that comprises an acquisition circuit configured for enabling the digital conversion of analogic signals from a sensor, and the memorization of the digitized signals in a memory; a harvesting circuit configured for enabling the transmission of data stored in the memory to a harvesting device; a charging circuit configured for enabling the charging of a battery with the power provided by a powering device. A control unit controls the activation of the acquisition circuit, the activation of the harvesting circuit, and the activation of the charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventors: Christian Gregoire, Freddy Excoffier, Philippe Ribalet, Jacques Thebaud
  • Patent number: 11573340
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sensor cable that may be reconfigurable to have various combinations of seismic sensors. An apparatus may comprise a sensor cable and seismic sensors distributed throughout a volume of the sensor cable and along all three axes of the sensor cable, wherein the seismic sensors are assigned to sampling groups that are reconfigurable and not hardwired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Robertus Franciscus Hegge, Roald G. Van Borselen
  • Patent number: 11460597
    Abstract: A seabed object detection system is provided. The system can include a receiver array. The receiver array can include a plurality of receivers disposed on a plurality of streamers. The plurality of streamers can include a central port side streamer, a central starboard side streamer, an auxiliary port side streamer and an auxiliary starboard side streamer. The system can include a source array. The source array can include a plurality of sources. The plurality of sources can include a central port side source, a central starboard side source, an auxiliary port side source, and an auxiliary port side streamer. The source array towed during a first pass can define a first path. The source array towed during a second pass can define a second path. The first path can be interleaved with the second path such that the first path overlaps the second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventor: Graham Gillott
  • Patent number: 11255998
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ocean bottom seismic node for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The ocean bottom seismic node may comprise an arched cathedral buoyant body coupled to a substantially flat bottom metal plate. The buoyant body may be formed of hard plastic (such as plastic injection in a mold) and have one or more cathedral type inner structures with columns that form a plurality of interconnected inner chambers, which may be dry or filled with foam and/or act as ballasts. One or more electronic components may be directly attached to the bottom metal plate (and within one or more of the internal cathedral chambers) and covered/protected by the buoyant body that is water and pressure resistant at seabed depths. The edge(s) of the buoyant body may seal around the metal plate on one or more peripheral edges of the plate and buoyant body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
    Inventors: Erwan Francois Marie Postic, Thierry Brizard
  • Patent number: 11237285
    Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: MAGSEIS FF LLC
    Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
  • Patent number: 11061157
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of facilitating a seismic survey and locating seismic data acquisition units in a marine environment. The system can include a first seismic data acquisition unit. The first seismic data can include a cleat ring to couple the first seismic data acquisition with a second seismic data acquisition unit. The system can include a rope having a first end coupled to a first portion of the first seismic data acquisition unit and a second end coupled to a second portion of the first seismic data acquisition unit. The system can include a cavity formed by the cleat ring. The system can include a telltale component coupled to a portion of the rope. The rope and the telltale component can be stored in the cavity of the first seismic data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc
  • Patent number: 11059552
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of autonomous underwater seismic vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed based on acoustic communications with an underwater vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle. In an embodiment, the underwater vehicle is lowered from a surface vessel along with a subsea station with a plurality of AUVs. The AUVs are configured to acoustically communicate with the underwater vehicle or a second surface vessel for deployment and retrieval operations. The underwater vehicle and/or second surface vessel is configured to instruct the AUVs to leave the subsea station or underwater vehicle and to travel to their intended seabed destination. The underwater vehicle and/or second surface vessel is also configured to selectively instruct the AUVs to leave the seabed and return to a seabed location and/or a subsea station for retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
    Inventors: Arne Henning Rokkan, Geir Valsvik, Bjarne Isfeldt, Jean-Baptiste Danre
  • Patent number: 11048004
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a skid structure for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a skid structure. A conveyor is provided in the skid structure. The conveyor includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A capture appliance is provided at the first end of the conveyor. The capture appliance includes an arm to close to hold a case storing one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units, and to open to release the case. The capture appliance includes an alignment mechanism to align an opening of the case with the first end of the conveyor. A deployment appliance can be at the second end of the conveyor. The deployment appliance can place an OBS unit of the one or more OBS units onto the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc
  • Patent number: 11048007
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering seismic data acquisition units to an ocean bottom are provided. A system includes an underwater vehicle including with sensors to determine environmental information. A control unit obtains, based on the environmental information and a policy, an indication to perform a fly-by deployment. The control unit sets an angle of a ramp with respect to a base of the underwater vehicle. The control unit identifies a launch event for a seismic data acquisition unit of a plurality of seismic data acquisition units stored in the underwater vehicle, and deploys the seismic data acquisition unit from the ramp towards the ocean bottom based on the identification of the launch event and the environmental information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc, Chance Mann
  • Patent number: 10871588
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to configuring a marine seismic survey. In some embodiments, a vessel may be coupled to one or more seismic sources and one or more seismic streamers, and a second vessel may be coupled to one or more far offset seismic sources. The near offset sources may be configured to actuate according to a shot point interval; the far offset sources may be configured to actuate according to a longer shot point interval. In some embodiments, the longer shot point interval may be a multiple of the near offset source shot point interval. Determining the first and second shot point intervals may be based in part on, for example, the wave frequencies of the far offset sources, the requirements of a full wave inversion process, or various configurational parameters of seismic surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Manuel Beitz, Christian Strand
  • Patent number: 10787235
    Abstract: A method for cycling autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The method includes deploying plural current AUVs on the ocean bottom; recording the seismic signals during the marine seismic survey with plural current AUVs; releasing from an underwater base a new AUV to replace a corresponding current AUV from the plural current AUVs; recovering the current AUV; and continuing to record the seismic signals with the new AUV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
    Inventors: Antoine Lelaurin, Jonathan Grimsdale, Thierry Brizard
  • Patent number: 10712470
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to marine streamer cleaning. An embodiment provides a streamer cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an inlet configured to receive a streamer and an outlet configured to dispatch the streamer; and scraper lamellas coupled to the housing, wherein the scraper lamellas are arranged to form an opening to receive the streamer. Methods of cleaning a streamer and streamer cleaning systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Christian Vasbø, Thomas Hauge, Andreas Carlén
  • Patent number: 10712463
    Abstract: A method for acquiring seismic data comprises operating a seismic vessel towing at least one of a seismic streamer with a plurality of seismic sensors and a seismic source. The inline distance between the vessel and one or more other vessels is adjusted according to a predefined function, where the seismic vessels travel along offset seismic acquisition lines, by increasing and reducing the in-line distance during the acquisition of the seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Jacques Pierre Leveille, Paul Brettwood, Jeffrey Alan Meredith
  • Patent number: 10578761
    Abstract: A system (1) for operating a subsea sensor field (2), comprises an automated underwater vehicle—AUV (10) and a subsea service station (13). A sensor (11, 12) in the sensor field (2) comprises a permanently installed base unit (11) and a removable control unit (12). The AUV (10) moves control units (12) to the service station (13) for charging and updating, and then back to the base units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OCTIO AS
    Inventors: Leon Løvheim, Bjarte Fagerås, Magne Oldervoll, Helge Brandsaeter
  • Patent number: 10502852
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for acquiring a marine seismic survey are described. One method may include depositing on a seafloor a line of cable sections extending in a first direction. The line of cable sections may have a first end and a second end and may include a plurality of seismic wavefield receivers. The method may also include moving the line of cable sections by collecting cable sections from the second end of the line and depositing cable sections at the first end of the line so that the line of cable sections travels in the first direction. At least one source vessel may be used to provide acoustical waveforms while the line of cable sections is moving. The acoustical waveforms may be received by the plurality of seismic wavefield receivers in the line of cable sections so as to enable generation of a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Giles Frances Tanfield Watts, Peter Graham Stewart
  • Patent number: 10488540
    Abstract: An seismic sensor device may include a sensor module and a connected vessel. The sensor module may include a seismic sensor for collecting seismic data. The vessel may include a first region for engaging the sensor module. The vessel may also include a second region for coupling the seismic sensor device to a location for collecting seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: André W. Olivier
  • Patent number: 10479455
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to towing source elements and geophysical sensors through a body of water using one or more unmanned tow vessel. In some embodiments, a plurality of unmanned tow vessels are configured to tow one or more signal sources and/or one or more streamers. The plurality of unmanned tow vessels may, in some embodiments, traverse various sail paths along a surface of a body of water in order to acquire geophysical data relating to formations disposed below the bottom of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Rune Toennessen
  • Patent number: 10476605
    Abstract: The present invention provides an underwater communication system capable of efficiently communicating with a plurality of sensor nodes by using a limited frequency in the water. The present invention has a hierarchical structure in which one underwater base station control station manages a plurality of underwater base stations in the water, and each underwater base station within a plurality of underwater base stations centrally manages a plurality of underwater sensor nodes. Furthermore, the present invention enables efficient underwater communication the underwater environment by using different frequencies, when the underwater base station control station performs the underwater communication with the plurality of underwater base stations, and when the underwater base stations perform the underwater communication with the plurality of underwater sensor nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventors: Hak-Lim Ko, Yong-Kap Cho, Tae-Ho Im
  • Patent number: 10466378
    Abstract: Methods and systems to assess in near real-time defects in seismic data resulting from noise and seismic data acquisition-system deviations during a marine survey are disclosed. Methods and systems apply forward modeling to a model of a subterranean formation to generate synthetic seismic data based on the noise and deviations in the seismic data acquisition system. The synthetic seismic data represents the seismic data that would be collected by a marine survey carried out on a subterranean formation with the same structure as the Earth model and includes defects that result from the noise and deviations in the seismic data acquisition system. Error estimation is applied to the synthetic seismic data in order to assess the defects at different stages of seismic data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Neil Hugh Richard Turnbull
  • Patent number: 10404356
    Abstract: Vessel communications systems and methods are described. According to one aspect, a vessel communications method includes receiving a first inbound wireless communication within a subject vessel, the first inbound wireless communication comprising positional data regarding a location of a first vessel, receiving a second inbound wireless communication within the subject vessel, the second inbound wireless communication comprising positional data regarding a location of a second vessel, selecting the positional data of the first vessel but not the positional data of the second vessel and after the selecting, outputting an outbound wireless communication comprising the positional data of the first vessel but not the positional data of the second vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: McMurdo, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Yu, J. Joel Faul
  • Patent number: 10274624
    Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting marine seismic survey parameters are provided. A data processing system can obtain seismic data from seismic data acquisition units disposed on a seabed responsive to an acoustic signal propagated from an acoustic source through a water column. The data processing system can determine from the seismic data, a direct arrival time for the acoustic signal at each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units, and can obtain an estimated depth value of each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units and an estimated water column transit velocity of the acoustic signal. The data processing system can apply a depth model and a water column transit velocity model to the estimated depth value and to the estimated water column transit velocity determine an updated depth value and an updated water column transit velocity for each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MAGSEIS FF LLC
    Inventor: Carsten Udengaard
  • Patent number: 10191169
    Abstract: Seismic node systems can be configured for acquiring seismic sensor data with an array of seismic receivers or nodes deployable in a survey area, each receiver or node having a seismic sensor for acquiring the seismic sensor data, a clock, a controller and local memory. The seismic sensor can data characterize a seismic wavefield proximate the seismic receivers in the survey area. Quality control data can be generated based on the seismic sensor data and associated timing information provided by the respective clock, and incorporated into a seismic data flow for recording in the local memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Céspedes
  • Patent number: 10185047
    Abstract: A marine acoustic source system and method for steering a seismic source array in a body of water during a seismic survey. The method includes measuring an actual position of the seismic source array; calculating a virtual position of the seismic source array, wherein the virtual position corresponds to a position of the seismic source array when towed with no adjustment from a source steering device; retrieving a pre-plot path that includes desired positions of the seismic source array for the seismic survey; and steering the vessel based on the virtual position so that the virtual position lies on the pre-plot path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Helene Tonchia
  • Patent number: 10156652
    Abstract: An analysis is proved to determine a candidate line for at least one vessel to traverse in a 3D seismic survey to achieve desired coverage either along a planned line or a new infill line. The analysis can also be used in a 4-D survey to determine the coverage of a candidate line relative to the baseline survey previously conducted. The analysis determines a coverage footprint of the common midpoint lines, at given offsets, so the user or automated system can select a candidate line to achieve the best coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: David Robert Bowman, Michael Bernard Tomlinson, Angus Macgregor Styles
  • Patent number: 10114137
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to underwater seismic exploration with a helical conveyor and skid structure. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a sensor to identify a case having a hydrodynamic shape, wherein the case stores one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The underwater vehicle includes an arm. The underwater vehicle includes an actuator to position the arm in an open state above a cap of the case, or to close the arm. The underwater vehicle can move the arm to a bottom portion of the case opposite the cap. An opening of the case can be aligned with the conveyor of the underwater vehicle. The conveyor can receive, via the opening of the case, a first OBS unit of the one or more OBS units. The conveyor can move the first OBS unit to the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Fairfield Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc
  • Patent number: 10082589
    Abstract: A group of techniques can be used to determine if components of a seismic spread have deviated from a planned path during a coil or other curved and substantially circular acquisition pattern. In one aspect, and in general, the presently disclosed techniques include a computer-readable program storage medium for determining the deviation of spread array element from a planned curved path during a towed-array marine seismic survey. The method comprises: determining a nominal position of the spread array element at a given point in the planned curved path; determining the actual position of the spread array element; and performing an error analysis predicated on the nominal and actual positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan Hauan, Rune Hagelund, Stig Solheim
  • Patent number: 9945973
    Abstract: Method and system for generating a full acquisition path for a marine seismic acquisition system. The method includes receiving survey area information about a survey area to be seismically surveyed; selecting a radius (R) and a length (L) of a lace; selecting an overlap distance (OL) between first and second lanes; generating the full acquisition path by repeating the lace along a first lead line inside the first lane and along a second lead line inside the second lane and replicating the first and second lanes until the entire survey area is covered with laces; and sending the full acquisition path to a streamer vessel for performing the seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Damien Grenie, Risto Siliqi, Julie Svay, Keith Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9915743
    Abstract: A method and marine seismic processing system including an interface for receiving recorded data, wherein the recorded data includes seismic data and bio-acoustic data; a seismic data processor for estimating a source signature from the recorded data, wherein the source signature is associated with a seismic source that emits seismic waves in water during a seismic survey; and a bio-acoustic processor that estimates a presence of a mammal generating the bio-acoustic data, based on a processed signal obtained by removing the source signature from the recorded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventors: John Sallas, Simon Vallez
  • Patent number: 9903967
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to marine seismic sources, for example marine seismic sources known in the art as benders. Some embodiments of this disclosure use magnetic reluctance forces to produce seismic energy. For example, pole pieces may be attached to one or more plates of a marine seismic source, and a wire coil may induce an attractive force between the pole pieces to cause deformation of the plates to produce seismic energy. Such marine seismic sources may be components of a marine seismic survey system, and may be used in a method of marine seismic surveying. Methods of making marine seismic sources are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Mattias Oscarsson, Oeystein Traetten, Rune Voldsbekk, Rune Toennessen
  • Patent number: 9891333
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding and/or positioning a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). In one embodiment, an underwater vehicle is configured to monitor the deployment of cable connected to a plurality of seismic nodes, including the touchdown monitoring, positioning, and guiding of deployed autonomous seismic nodes or ocean bottom cable. The underwater vehicle may comprise a propulsion system configured to steer and propel the vehicle in a body of water, a tracking system configured to automatically track the cable and/or attached seismic nodes, and a guidance system configured to communicate with a surface vessel node data in real time or near real time for active guidance and/or positioning of the deployment cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SEABED GEOSOLUTIONS B.V.
    Inventors: Geir Valsvik, Arne Henning Rokkan, Jean-Baptiste Danre, Bjarne Isfeldt
  • Patent number: 9874651
    Abstract: A buoy for recording seismic signals while underwater. The buoy includes a body; a buoyancy system configured to control a buoyancy of the body to descend to a predetermined depth (H1); a propulsion system configured to actively adjust a position of the body at a given position (X, Y); a seismic sensor located on the body and configured to record the seismic signals; and a control device configured to control the buoyancy system to maintain the body substantially at the predetermined depth (H1) and to control the propulsion system to maintain the body substantially at the given position (X, Y) while the buoy records seismic data, and also to instruct the seismic sensor when to record seismic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Thierry Brizard, Jean-Paul Gruffeille
  • Patent number: 9869786
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for acoustically exploring structure of a floor below a water body. The system can comprise a vessel, at least one streamer placed in the water and towed by the vessel. The system can also comprise a plurality of acoustic sensors positioned at regular intervals along the length of the streamer. The longitudinal direction of the streamer can make an angle with the horizontal. The system can also comprise a source for generating acoustic pulses placed in the water and towed by the vessel using a tow line. The tow line can have such length that the horizontal distance between the vessel and the source is larger than the horizontal distance between the vessel and the first sensor closest to the vessel and smaller than the horizontal distance between the vessel and the last sensor most remote from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FUGRO N.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Cowlard, Angus James Stephen Ogilvie
  • Patent number: 9857492
    Abstract: Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes at least one sub-array. The at least one sub-array includes a float from which plural source points are attached. The source points may be provided on a curved line, straight line, or other desired shape so that a variable-depth source is obtained with a single float. The source points may be divided into groups and the groups may be provided on the curved line, straight line or other desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Robert Dowle, Thierry Payen
  • Patent number: 9857491
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine seismic acquisition system. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a first vessel towing a first source array and a first plurality of streamers. The first vessel is configured to travel along a first coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a second vessel towing a second source array and a second plurality of streamers. The second vessel is configured to travel along a second coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a third vessel towing a third source array and a third plurality of streamers. The third vessel is configured to travel along a third coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may also include a fourth vessel towing a fourth source array and a fourth plurality of streamers. The fourth vessel is configured to travel along a fourth coil path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: 9835750
    Abstract: A seismic survey system for recording seismic data underwater in the presence of underwater currents. The system includes first plural buoys configured to descend in water at a predetermined depth (H1) and each having a seismic receiver for recording the seismic data; a first vessel configured to launch the first plural buoys along a first line; and a second vessel configured to recover the first plural buoys at a second line, wherein there is a predetermined distance between the first and second lines. The first plural buoys are configured to travel underwater, at substantially the first predetermined depth (H1), from the first line to the second line, due exclusively to the underwater currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Thierry Brizard
  • Patent number: 9829589
    Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
  • Patent number: 9784869
    Abstract: A data set representing features of a geologic formation is formed from two or more signal acquisition data set representing independent aspects of the same wavefield. A wavelet transform is performed on the two or more signal acquisition data sets, and the data sets are further transformed to equalize signal portions of the data sets. Remaining differences in the data sets are interpreted as excess noise and are removed by different methods to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of any resulting data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Tilman Klüver
  • Patent number: 9772418
    Abstract: Marine survey. The various embodiments includes both methods and systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: deploying a spreader structure from vessel into a body of water, wherein the spreader structure defines a deployed width of one kilometer or more; coupling a plurality of sensor streamers to the spreader structure; and towing the plurality of sensor streamers through the water, where the horizontal separation between the sensor streamers is at least partially maintained by the spreader structure. The spreader structure provides horizontal separation sensor streamers without the use of a tensioning force applied to the spreader structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Godfrey H. Sykes
  • Patent number: 9746570
    Abstract: Presented are methods and a system for efficiently acquiring seismic data based on a virtual seismic spread. A streamer vessel and a source vessel are used in combination and in a specific spatial arrangement collect seismic data. The source arrays can be fired simultaneously, creating blended seismic data that is separated with a deblending algorithm or sequentially to collect seismic data directly. The virtual seismic spread can be configured to reduce survey time or decrease capital costs and health safety and environment exposure based on the size of the streamer array towed by the streamer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Mensch, Damien Grenié, Risto Siliqi
  • Patent number: 9696443
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer instructions and method for processing seismic data related to a subsurface of a body of water. The method includes inputting data indicative of recordings made by detectors disposed on a depth-changing profile in response to an acoustic wave reflected from the subsurface; applying a matched mirror migration procedure to the data, wherein the matched mirror migration procedure uses an up-traveling U wave and a down-traveling D wave, at least one of the up-traveling U wave or the down-traveling D wave being constructed based on (i) actual positions of the detectors disposed on the depth-changing profile and corresponding recordings, and (ii) fictitious mirror positions of the actual detectors on the depth-changing profile and corresponding recordings with a changed sign; and generating in a processor an image of the subsurface based on the matched mirror migration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Robert Soubaras
  • Patent number: 9678230
    Abstract: Method and system for improving azimuth distribution. The system includes plural streamers towed by a streamer vessel; a central source towed by the streamer vessel; first and second front sources located in front of the plural streamers along a traveling direction of the streamer vessel; and first and second large offset front sources located in front of the first and second front sources along the traveling direction. The offset distance between the first and second large offset front sources, along a cross-line direction, is larger than an offset distance between the first and second front sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Fabrice Mandroux, Jean-Pierre Degez
  • Patent number: 9658356
    Abstract: Method and dynamically-adjusted marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The acoustic source array includes a float; plural actuation devices, each actuation device having corresponding cables; and plural source points connected to the float through the corresponding cables. The plural actuation devices dynamically adjust corresponding lengths of the corresponding cables to achieve a desired variable-depth profile for the plural source points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Robert Dowle, Thierry Payen
  • Patent number: 9625595
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure include one or more of a method, computing device, computer-readable medium, and system for creating a heightmap based on at least a portion of seismic data, rendering the heightmap, and illuminating at least a portion of the rendered heightmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Westlye Larsen, Jimmy Klinger, Amadeus Wieczorek
  • Patent number: RE47389
    Abstract: A technique for acquiring wide azimuth seismic data using simultaneous shooting is presented in which a plurality of seismic sources are positioned to achieve a desired crossline sampling as a function of the number of passes. This is accomplished by “interleaving” sources as deployed in the spread, as positioned in multiple passes, or some combination of these things, to achieve an effective shotline interval during acquisition or an effective crossline sampling less than their crossline source separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Craig J. Beasley