Abstract: A seismic survey system includes a winch having a winch cable coupleable to a source array towable between two deflected lead-ins, a positioning system for determining a current position of the source array and a controller for adjusting the winch to modify the current position of the source array to a desired crossline position. The winches may be attached to the deflected lead-ins or mounted on a tow vessel. The winches exert lateral forces on the source array, derived from the deflected lead-ins, to control the inline position of the source array. A method includes positioning a seismic source array in tow behind a vessel comprises determining a current position of the source array and adjusting a lateral force applied to the source array to move the source array to a desired crossline position. Optionally, by adjusting the gun cable winch, the inline position may be controlled.

Abstract: A method for controlling timing error in the firing of an idle seismic air gun comprises the steps of identifying an acceptable range of seismic air gun timing error, and identifying a relationship between seismic air gun timing error and an idle period preceding a seismic air gun firing event. The first firing event time following an idle period is then compensated according to the identified relationship to control the timing error within the identified acceptable range. The invention may be implemented using computer means such as machine-readable storage media. The invention may be applied to advantage when air gun firing delays are experienced, such as during selective changes from one air gun group to another air gun group for purposes of achieving a desired center-of-source position.

Abstract: A gel-filled seismic streamer containing a hydrophone housing which isolates a hydrophone element from shear waves and mechanical forces but sensitive to pressure waves. In one embodiment, the gel-filled streamers contains a hydrophone housing with an air pocket at each end for isolating a pressure sensitive hydrophone element from mechanical noise generated by cable movement during seismic data acquisition operations. The hydrophone housing further provides and a protective case to isolate a pressure-sensitive hydrophone element from shear waves. An inlet formed in the protective hydrophone housing enables pressure waves to be communicated to the pressure sensitive hydrophone element inside of the housing. An alternative hydrophone housing for deployment inside of a streamer is also disclosed which fixably positions a positioning hydrophone or seismic hydrophone within the housing using rubber supports.

Abstract: A method of acquiring seismic data adapted for a land or transition zone environment including placing a location identifier in a particular location, placing a seismic sensor near the location identifier, reading the location identifer using a seismic data cable, recording seismic data acquired by the seismic sensor using the seismic data cable, and assigning sensor position coordinates to the seismic data based on measured position coordinates of the location identifier.

Abstract: A method of performing a seismic survey of earth formations beneath a body of water is disclosed. The method includes: (a) deploying a seismic cable having a plurality of seismic sensors distributed therealong in close proxmity to elongate locating means provided at the bottom of the body of water; (b) operating an acoustic source in the body of water to produce seismic signals which enter the formations; (c) detecting seismic signals which return from the formations with said sensors; and (d) removing the seismic cable from the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the flow of fluid in the conduit, giving the example of oil in a well bore (12). A heat exchanger such as a cooling station (66) is placed in the well bore (12) and caused to create a slug of cooled oil whose passage, through the well (12) can be monitored by a temperature sensor in the form of a continuous fiber optic loop (62). Knowledge of the movement of the cooled slug of oil and of the free cross-section of the conduit (54) wherein the oil is flowing permits the volume flow-rate of oil to be calculated. Cooling stations (66) are cooled by Joule-Thompson cooling employing high pressure nitrogen gas. Cooling stations (66) may be placed at plural locations within the well bore (12) to monitor individual flows (68) from multiple flow sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing water bottom reflection time differences. The method includes selecting a plurality of trace groups, each trace having an offset from a midpoint and a water bottom reflection time. The method also includes determining a rate of change of the water bottom reflection time of each trace and generating a model water velocity and a model water bottom reflection time for each trace midpoint using a preselected function of the water bottom reflection times and the rates of change. Furthermore, the method includes generating a plurality of water bottom reflection time corrections for the traces in each trace group using a pre-selected function of the water bottom reflection times, the model water bottom reflection times, the model water velocities, and the trace offsets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method includes releasably engaging a cementing tool in a casing assembly at a junction of plural wellbores. Cementing slurry is pumped through the cementing tool to fill an annular region around the casing assembly. The cementing tool is retrievable without first milling components at the junction. The cementing tool has an anchoring mechanism adapted to engage a landing profile of the casing assembly. Further, the cementing tool has an external seal adapted to seal inside the casing assembly.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating the use of a variety of completion elements in a wellbore environment. The technique utilizes an insertion guide disposed within an open-hole section of a wellbore. The insertion guide may be radially expanded towards the surrounding formation to remove excess annular space. The expansion of the insertion guide further allows the use of a completion element having a greater diameter than would otherwise be afforded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting and for coupling geophones relative to soil. A hammer device oriented to the vertical drives a head into the soil to generate a case opening. Vertical orientation of the case opening and depth automatically orients a geophone case to vertical and further controls the coupling of the geophone to the soil. Such combination facilitates orientation of the geophone to the selected compass heading and significantly reduces corrective data processing. Control over case opening placement in different soil conditions is automatically provided, and data regarding local position and orientation is recorded for future data processing. Operator errors are reduced and overall production efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: An integrated pumping system for use in environments, such as subterranean environments, to move a desired fluid from one location to another. The integrated pumping system comprises one or more stages that each have an integrated pump and motor. A controller may be utilized to individually control the one or more integrated pumps and motors.

Abstract: A system that is usable with subsea wells that extend beneath a sea floor includes a station that is located on the sea floor and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle is housed in the station and is adapted to service at least one of the subsea wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore. One aspect of the invention comprises a housing member with a longitudinal bore and a valve member located within the housing member that is movable between open and closed positions. A sliding sleeve having a longitudinal bore is disposed within the housing member and can move between an upper position and a lower position. Attached to the sliding sleeve is a seating element where the valve member can seat. When the sliding sleeve is in the lower position, the valve member is held in the open position and communication is established between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position, the valve member is held in the closed position and communication between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member is restricted.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A modular electric motor. The modular motor includes a plurality of mechanically and electrically coupleable stator sections and mechanically coupleable housing sections. At least one stator section has conductors extending longitudinally therethrough for generating a magnetic field to impart rotative motion in a rotor. A given motor may be assembled to a variety of desired lengths by mechanically and electrically coupling the appropriate number of motor sections. This facilitates construction of a desired horsepower motor for a given application.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member, a second member releasably attached to the first member, and a control line shear mechanism disposed proximate an interface between the first member and the second member. The first and second members can each have a longitudinal bore therethrough and can be moveable in an axial direction to release from one another. The control line shear mechanism may comprise a first shear member attached to the first number and a second shear member attached to the second member, wherein the first and second shear members are adapted to cooperatively shear a control line as the first and second members separate. A method includes separating a first member from a second member and, before or during the separating step, cutting a control line proximal to the paint of separation of the first and second members.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a deflector with a reaction surface that is engageable to a mill. The deflector is coupled to a motion mechanism that is activable to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal direction. During operation, the mill is engaged to a surrounding downhole structure, and the mill is rotated. As the mill cuts an opening in the downhole structure, the motion mechanism moves the deflector, which allows the mill to move with the deflector. A smooth motion is provided by the motion mechanism to enable a more accurate cutting of the downhole structure (e.g., casing or liner).

Abstract: A flapper valve having a curved flapper and a seat, the flapper and seat each having complementary undulating and tapered perimeters, with sealing surfaces designed to maintain seal integrity under higher pressure, for a given outer diameter to inner diameter ratio, compared to prior art flapper valves.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention may be a well completion including a production tubing, an upper packer connected to a lower end of the production tubing, an intelligent device disposed below the upper packer, a continuous control cable running from the intelligent device to a connection point, and a sand screen disposed below the packer. The completion may be installed in a well in a single trip, instead of multiple. Sand-control operations may be performed by a service tool that is deployed through the production tubing. The completion may include the ability to washdown the well as the completion is being run into place. Related methods are also provided.