Abstract: A system and method for performing a marine seismic survey of a subsurface. The method includes deploying under water, from a deploying vessel, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); recording with seismic sensors located on the AUV seismic waves generated by an acoustic source array; instructing the AUV to surface at a certain depth relative to the water surface; recovering the AUV by bringing the AUV on a recovery vessel; and transferring recorded seismic data to the recovery vessel.

Abstract: Method and system for acquiring seismic data. The system includes a first streamer vessel configured to tow a first source array and a first streamer spread; a first source vessel configured to tow a second source array; and a second source vessel configured to tow a third source array. The first to third source arrays are distributed along a non-linear profile while the first streamer vessel and the first to second source vessels move along an inline direction (X).

Abstract: A method and system for active cancellation of transient signals and dynamic loop configuration for geophysical exploration is disclosed. The method includes controlling a transmitter to transmit a waveform in a frequency spectrum during an on-time. The transmitter includes a plurality of turns of wire. The method also includes controlling a plurality of switches to direct an electrical signal through the plurality of turns of wire. The plurality of switches electrically coupled to the plurality of turns of wire. The method further includes controlling a switch of the plurality of switches to direct a first portion of a transient current in an opposite direction from a direction of a second portion of the transient current during an off-time.

Abstract: Predicting and quantifying free silicon in a geological formation generates free silicon data for a physical sample obtained from within the geological formation. The free silicon data include identification of portions of the physical sample containing free silicon and a quantification of the free silicon contained in the portions of the physical sample containing free silicon. A modified petro-elastic model for the geological formation comprising rock constituents is generated that incorporates free silicon as one of the rock constituents and that quantitatively models how free silicon changes elastic properties within the geological formation. A three-dimensional model of the geological formation is created that indicates volumes of free silicon throughout the geological formation. The three-dimensional model is created using geophysical data obtained from the physical sample, seismic data covering the geological formation and the modified petro-elastic model.

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.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium for processing seismic data are provided. The method includes selecting well-imaged areas of a sediment-to-salt interface, and performing (1) a dual-flood RTM with prismatic waves to identify new areas of the sediment-to-salt interface, and (2) one or more RTM to identify other new areas of the sediment-to-salt interface or of a salt-to-sediment interface.

Abstract: A method and cable cleaning device that includes a housing and at least one cleaning element attached to the housing. The cleaning element is configured to clean marine fouling from a cable. The cleaning element is at least partially rolled around the cable and its tautness is adjustable.

Abstract: A computing device and method for removing noise associated with an excitation signal and its odd harmonics. A computing system for processing electromagnetic (EM) signals includes an interface that receives raw data indicative of a time rate of change of a magnetic field as recorded with a receiver coil while airborne, wherein the magnetic field includes a primary source excitation; and a processor connected to the interface. The processor is configured to calculate a rotation of the receiver coil relative to a desired orientation; derotate the raw EM data based on the rotation of the receiver coil relative to the desired orientation and on the primary source excitation, to obtain derotated EM data; and generate an image of a surveyed subsurface based on the derotated EM data.

Abstract: A submerged front end buoy has a body with a connecting mechanism for connecting to a lead-in cable and a seismic streamer. A depth adjustment mechanism is disposed within the body to set a depth of the submerged front end buoy and includes an adjustable buoyancy mechanism and a plurality of wings extending from an exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: The disclosed method includes receiving resulting signals emanating from a subterranean formation, wherein the resulting signals are caused by signals emitted from seismic sources. The method further includes dividing the resulting signals into a plurality of sub-samples. The method includes determining a frequency content of one or more of the sub-samples and assigning a weight to or more components of the frequency content of the sub-sample to produce a weighted frequency content of the sub-sample, wherein the assigned weight is based, at least in part, on an estimate of the amount of noise present in the frequency content of the sub-sample. The method further includes combining the weighted frequency contents of the sub-samples to produce a weighted sample. The method further includes determining one or more properties of the subsurface formation based, at least in part, on the weighted sample.

Abstract: A multi-sensor electromagnetic (EM) system and method for measuring gradients of EM signals. The multi-sensor EM system includes a frame; a transmitter device attached to the frame and configured to generate a primary EM field; a receiver device attached to the frame and configured to record a secondary EM field generated by the earth after being excited by the primary EM field; and a gradient sensor device attached to the frame and configured to record a gradient of the secondary EM field.

Abstract: Method, source array and seismic vibro-acoustic source element for seismic data acquisition. The method includes storing in a controller a library of beam form factor sets associated with a source array and corresponding regions to be surveyed; towing the source array along survey lines over the regions to be surveyed; selecting a beam form factor set from the library to be applied to the source array for each region; and actuating the source array based on the selected set of beam form factors and a position of the source array relative to the regions. Each set of beam form factors maps to a corresponding region of an area to be surveyed.

Abstract: Marine seismic sources for exploring formations under the seafloor using reflection seismology include ghost attenuators for reducing or eliminating ghost signals. Such a ghost attenuator is located in the water above an individual source element and 5 water surface and is configured to dissipate energy of up-going signals and/or to redirect the up-going signals.

Abstract: Method, source array and source element that generate seismic waves. The source element includes an enclosure having an opening covered by a piston; a local supply accumulator fluidly communicating with an interior of the enclosure, a pressure of the fluid inside the local supply accumulator being larger than a pressure of the fluid inside the enclosure; a local supply valve located between the local supply accumulator and the enclosure and configured to control a flow of the fluid from the local supply accumulator to the interior of the enclosure; and a controller configured to control the local supply valve such that the pressure inside the enclosure does not fall below a first preset value based upon an ambient pressure of the enclosure while seismic waves are generated.

Abstract: A cable-protecting device is used on a cable of a marine survey system to oppose cable bending and/or to limit a bending radius of the cable. The cable-protecting device has a functional body made of at least two portions configured to be clamped together to surround the cable, a gripping system configured to oppose the functional body sliding along the cable, and a closing system configured enable the at least two portions to engage fast and remain clamped.

Abstract: A reaction mass seismic survey source that is located in an underground casing. The seismic source includes a non-planar base plate; a reaction mass located on the non-planar base plate; and a flextensional element housed in a recess of the reaction mass and configured to vibrate the non-planar base plate when actuated, to generate seismic waves underground.

Abstract: Presented are methods and systems for analyzing geological material from a well. A device for analyzing geological samples from a well includes: at least one light source configured to emit consistent plane polarized broad spectrum light towards the geological samples; a storage media configured to hold the geological samples; at least one hyperspectral camera configured to collect spectra reflected from at least one surface of the geological samples, wherein molecular vibrations are measured; a computing device configured to receive and process the collected reflected spectra; and the computing device configured to generate an output which includes at least a bulk material composition of the geological samples, wherein the device is configured to be portable to a well site.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving azimuth distribution in a seismic acquisition system are described. A survey acquisition system includes a plurality of streamers towed by a plurality of streamer vessels, including a first streamer vessel and a second streamer vessel and a plurality of sources towed by a plurality of source vessels. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are configured relative to one another such that the plurality of source vessels are positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances behind a portion of the first streamer vessel and are also positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances in front of a portion of the second streamer vessel. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are also spaced apart from one another in a cross-line direction.

Abstract: Method, source array and seismic vibro-acoustic source element for seismic data acquisition. The number of beams of acoustic energy to be generated for the seismic data acquisition are determined or selected. A different pilot signal is generated for each of the number of beams of acoustic energy. A plurality of drive signals are generated using the different pilot signals. An array of source elements are driven using the plurality of drive signals to generate the two or more beams of acoustic energy.

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.