Abstract: Foil systems for steering source and receiver arrangements for gathering seismic data are connected to buoys supporting seismic sources and receivers. Each foil system includes a positive buoyancy device, a pair of control cables, a plurality of foil sections, and an actuator. The pair of control cables may be attached to the buoyancy device and extend downward from the buoyancy device to a submerged end. The plurality of foil sections may be disposed along the control cables between the buoyancy device and the submerged end. The actuator may be configured to adjust attack angles of the foil sections by changing a tension in one or both of the control cables. Steering control is provided through a number of modes described by data distributed through a control system in communication with the foil systems.

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.

Abstract: A seismic data collection system is disclosed. The system may include at least a first housing and a second housing. The first housing may be configured to detachably couple to the second housing. The system mays also include various components such as one or more seismic sensors, a clock, or memory. Each of the components may be arranged in one of the first housing or second housing.

Abstract: A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source (e.g., air gun array) of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and the source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes or other issues encountered at the water's surface. Seismic streamers have head floats supporting the streamers. Each of the floats has adjustable buoyancy preconfigured to counterbalance the weight in water of the towed component that the float supports. Acoustic signals from a transceiver at the vessel find locations of the towed components. A towed fish at a lower level than the towed components also uses acoustic signals with a transceiver to further refine the locations of the towed components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that assist in correlating subsequent geophysical surveys. In some embodiments, geophysical data may be generated including a first set of data from a monitor survey that is matched with a second set of data from a baseline survey. An attribute value may be generated for each datum in the first set of data and each attribute value generated may be stored with its corresponding datum. Then, the first set of data may be processed based on the stored attribute values. In some embodiments, the attribute values may be based upon the geometric closeness of sources and receivers in the baseline and monitor surveys.

Abstract: A ranging system comprises a plurality of streamers, each with a plurality of receivers. A plurality of transmitters is also disposed along one or more of the streamers, each configured to generate acoustic or ranging signals over one or more channels. A processor is configured to define a subset of the transmitters within a predefined limited range or listening distance of each receiver. In the subset, the transmitters are configured to generate the acoustic signals over different channels.

Abstract: A method and system of processing seismic data is presented. The method may include, for each of a plurality of seismic traces, generating a respective intermediate set of reflectivity coefficients and a partial deconvolution of an estimated wavelet from the respective seismic trace. The method may also include decomposing a model into a plurality of orthogonal components, and projecting each of a plurality of eigenvectors corresponding to one of the orthogonal components onto intermediate reflectivity coefficients corresponding with all of the plurality of seismic traces at each of a plurality of times to generate a plurality of eigen-coefficients associated with each of the plurality of times. The eigen-coefficients may be used to generate a plurality of basis coefficients, which may then be used to generate a respective updated set of reflectivity coefficients for each of the seismic traces.

Abstract: Embodiments of using known source locations in seismic data processing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of locating a seismic event includes receiving location information for a plurality of known source events proximate the seismic event, and determining an estimated location of the seismic event using a relative locator constrained by the location information for the plurality of known source events.

Abstract: A networked system shares operational information (tasks, positions, times, etc.) between dissimilar operators performing dissimilar operations in a same marine field. The shared information include associations (linkages and conflicts) that allows each operator to optimize its operations and complete tasks in a more efficient manner. As part of this system, a planning tool having a graphical user interface can be used to visualize plans at an operator (and nearby operators). Changes made to plans by one operator are shared with other operators via the system and illustrated in the interface at the other operators, thereby allowing the other operators to make their own respective operational changes in response.

Abstract: A seismic deployment system having a deployment apparatus, a tow line, and a carrier line having a plurality of seismic sensor coupled therealong. The deployment apparatus has a hydrodynamic body. The tow line is configured for towing the hydrodynamic body through a water column. The carrier line is engaged with the deployment apparatus. The deployment apparatus is configured to control tension in the carrier line for deployment of the seismic sensors while the hydrodynamic body is towed through the water column by the tow line.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for direct coupling of a capacitive sensor to a delta-sigma converter are described. One apparatus includes a sensor, a charge coupling circuit configured to transfer at least a portion of charge generated by the sensor to an integrating circuit, a first charge feedback circuit configured to feed back charge to the sensor, a second charge feedback circuit configured to feed back charge to the integrating circuit, a comparing circuit configured to detect accumulated charge at the integrating circuit for a current cycle to determine a polarity of charge feedback for a subsequent cycle, and a logic circuit configured to provide a digital output corresponding to the sensed quantity and also configured to provide the polarity of charge feedback determined by the comparing circuit to the first charge feedback circuit and also to the second charge feedback circuit.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for sensing acoustic waves in a medium. One example includes a first elongated member, a first motion sensor sensitive to vibrations of the first elongated member, a second motion sensor spaced apart from the first motion sensor and also sensitive to vibrations of the first elongated member, and a first vibration source operably coupled to the first elongated member and configured to vibrate the first elongated member.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed that reduce seismic noise. In one embodiment, a method of processing seismic data includes accessing seismic data representative of a plurality of seismic input traces acquired by one or more seismic sensors. The method also includes stacking the plurality of seismic input traces into a stacked trace. The method also includes generating, utilizing at least one processor unit, a function of similarity between at least two of the plurality of seismic input traces. The method also includes scaling at least one of the seismic input traces or the stacked trace with the function of similarity.

Abstract: A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes. The streamers can have vehicles deployed thereon for controlling a position on the streamer. To facilitate locating the streamers, these vehicles on the streamers can be brought to the surface when clear of ice floes so that GPS readings can be obtained and communicated to a control system. After obtaining readings, the vehicles can be floated back under the surface. Deploying, using, and retrieving the system accounts for ice at the surface in icy regions. In addition, handling the seismic record can account for noise generated by ice impact events.

Abstract: A seismic sensor system includes a seismic sensor suspended in an acoustic medium, which is disposed between first and second sensor housings. The acoustic medium can be selected to preferentially transmit pressure wave energy, based on the acoustic impedance of the surrounding water column or other seismic medium. The acoustic medium can also be selected to preferentially dissipate or otherwise reduce the transmitted shear wave energy. The second housing can similarly be configured to dissipate shear wave energy, while transmitting pressure wave energy in the form of acoustic waves that propagate through the acoustic medium to the seismic sensor.

Abstract: An unmanned vessel system can include a hull system configured to provide buoyancy, one or more seismic sources configured to generate seismic energy, and a deployment apparatus configured to deploy the seismic sources from the hull system to a water body or water column. A control system can be configured to operate the deployment apparatus, in order to deploy the one or more seismic sources so that the seismic energy propagates through the water column. A compressed air source can be provided on board the unmanned vessel system, with a source line configured to provide compressed air to the seismic sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of dynamic gain adjustments in seismic surveys are described. One method of acquiring a seismic survey includes determining an arrival time at a seismic receiver of a downgoing seismic wavefield associated with a seismic source based at least in part on an estimated position of the seismic source, an estimated position of the seismic receiver, or combinations thereof. The method also includes adjusting a gain of the seismic receiver based at least in part on the determined arrival time of the downgoing seismic wavefield in order to, for example, help prevent overdriving or clipping of the seismic receiver when the downgoing seismic wavefield arrives at or passes by the seismic receiver.

Abstract: A seismic apparatus includes one or more seismic cable systems configured to acquire seismic data, each seismic cable system having one or more of a cable jacket, a reservoir for a ballast fluid or other ballast medium, and an actuator or other transfer mechanism configured to transfer the ballast fluid between the reservoir and the seismic cable system during acquisition of the seismic data, e.g., where the ballast fluid is transferred to the seismic cable system within the cable jacket. A controller can be configured to adjust a buoyancy of the seismic cable system responsive to the transfer of the ballast fluid, e.g., where the internal volume expands or contract based on the fluid transfer.

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.

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.