Patents Assigned to WesternGeco L.L.C.
  • Multiwing surface free towing system
    Patent number: 8902696
    Abstract: A technique for seismic surveying is presented in which a towed array, marine seismic spread, includes a plurality of streamers and a deflector system. The deflector system laterally spreads the seismic streamers, wherein at least one streamer in the spread is deflected using more than one deflector attached to the tow cable or streamer, and where the deflectors are not connected to a float on the sea surface. Other aspects of the technique include methods for towing such a spread and for controlling such a spread. Still other aspects include computing resources which may be used to perform the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Rune Toennessen
  • Removing seismic interference using simultaneous or near simultaneous source separation
    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
  • Regularisation of irregularly sampled seismic data
    Patent number: 8902705
    Abstract: There is provided a method of spatially shifting seismic signals acquired through a seismic survey using the steps of identifying within the signals a set of N actual locations of seismic receivers and corresponding N seismic signals received by the set of seismic receivers; identifying a set of N? desired locations of seismic receivers; and determining a set of N? signal values at said N? desired locations by evaluating for each of said N? signal values a weighted sum of the N seismic signals, wherein the weights are at least partly determined by the relative distance between pairs of locations selected from said set of N actual locations of seismic receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ali Ozbek, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir
  • Fast 3-D surface multiple prediction
    Patent number: 8879353
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of traces in a record of seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of target traces at a nominal offset and a nominal azimuth; selecting a plurality of pairs of input traces, wherein the midpoints of the input traces in each pair are separated by half the nominal offset and the azimuth of a line connecting the midpoints of the input traces in each pair is equal to the nominal azimuth; convolving the selected pairs of input traces to generate a plurality of convolutions; and applying a three dimensional operator to the convolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Bisley, Ian Moore
  • Frequency-dependent ray tracing through an interface
    Patent number: 8879798
    Abstract: Computing systems and methods for improving processing of collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, while ray-tracing through a sub-surface region, a frequency- dependent outgoing ray direction is computed from a point on an interface disposed in the sub-surface region when the ray tracing is at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Maxim Protasov, Konstantin S. Osypov, David Nichols, Can Evren Yarman
  • SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION AND SOURCE-SIDE DERIVATIVES GENERATION AND APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20140321239
    Abstract: The technologies described herein include systems and methods for performing a first seismic survey and performing a second seismic survey after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed between the first seismic survey and the second seismic survey. The shot times and the shot positions of the second seismic survey may be substantially the same as the shot times and the shot positions of the first seismic survey. After performing the seismic surveys, seismic data generated by the first seismic survey may be processed to generate a first image, and seismic data generated by the second seismic survey may be processed to generate a second image. After generating the first and second images, a difference between the first image and the second image may be computed to generate a time lapse difference image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan O. A. ROBERTSSON, Dirk-Jan VAN MANEN, David Fraser HALLIDAY, Robert Montgomery LAWS
  • SEISMIC INTERFEROMETRY FOR GRAND ROLL & NOISE ATTENUATION
    Publication number: 20140324357
    Abstract: Methods of acquiring and processing seismic data using derivative sensors, such as strain sensors, that facilitate ground roll noise attenuation with seismic interferometry are disclosed. The methods use both seismic data and their spatial derivatives in computing ground-roll noises which are removed from processed seismic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Julian Edward Kragh, Filippo Broggini
  • SURFACE MULTIPLE PREDICTION
    Publication number: 20140324358
    Abstract: Methods and computing systems for processing collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of multi-component seismic data acquired in a survey area. The method may select a target trace. The method may select an aperture of potential downward reflection points for the target trace. The method may calculate dip propagation attributes from the multi-component seismic data. The method may map the dip propagation attributes into a multiple contribution attribute gather based on the aperture. The method may modify the aperture based on the multiple contribution attribute gather. The method may then predict multiples for the selected target trace using the modified aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: PHILIP WILLIAM KITCHENSIDE
  • Geophysical signal processing
    Patent number: 8873333
    Abstract: A method of processing geophysical signals obtained by—monitoring the response of the earth to an source using a plurality of receivers is described including the evaluation of sums or integrals of functions of weighted signal values over a one or multidimensional domain such that the domain is split into a plurality of simplices and the signal values are interpolated across the simplices using a non-linear approximation of the function, the approximation including signals and gradients of the signals, and the evaluated sums or integrals are used to obtain a representation of characteristics of the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Henk Keers
  • Simultaneous joint inversion of surface wave and refraction data
    Patent number: 8861308
    Abstract: A technique includes a method and apparatus for simultaneous joint inversion of surface wave and refraction data to identify near surface geophysical and geological properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Massimo Virgilio, Claudio Strobbia, Simone Re, Michele De Stefano
  • Interpolating seismic data
    Patent number: 8861306
    Abstract: A technique includes modeling interpolated seismic measurements as a random process characterized by seismic measurements acquired at a set of sensor locations and an interpolation error. The technique includes determining the interpolated seismic measurements based at least in part on a minimization of the interpolation error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Ali Ozbek, Massimiliano Vassallo
  • Determining one or more target positions in an acquisition domain for processing survey data
    Patent number: 8862408
    Abstract: In response to at least one input criterion, one or more target positions in an acquisition domain are determined for processing of survey data, where the survey data is acquired by survey equipment in the acquisition domain having a first set of dimensions, and where the processing of the survey data is to be performed in a processing domain having a second set of dimensions different from the first set of dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Vassallo, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, Ralf G. Ferber
  • MARINE SEISMIC VARIABLE DEPTH CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140301163
    Abstract: A method of acoustic positioning determination includes detecting a temperature gradient profile across a depth of water, determining a level of a thermal boundary between an upper temperature level and a lower temperature level, and determining a distance from the thermal boundary to position the acoustic positioning device and positioning the acoustic positioning device at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Welker
  • SEISMIC DATA PROCESSING USING JOINT TOMOGRAPHY
    Publication number: 20140301165
    Abstract: Various implementations directed to seismic data processing using joint tomography are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving seismic data corresponding to a region of interest. The method may also include generating one or more first gathers and one or more second gathers based on the seismic data. The method may further include determining a relative shift in depth between at least a first event in the one or more first gathers and at least a second event in the one or more second gathers. The method may additionally include performing a joint tomography based at least in part on the first event, the second event, and the determined relative shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: DAVID NICHOLS, MARTA WOODWARD, JOHN C. MATHEWSON
  • Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus
    Patent number: 8854918
    Abstract: Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus are described having an elongate body, at least a portion of which is positioned eccentric of a marine seismic streamer, the apparatus having stability features selected from: one or more lateral steering control surfaces providing a center of lift approximately through a vertical streamer axis; one or more buoyancy elements providing a center of buoyancy through the same or a different vertical axis approximately through the center of the streamer; and combinations thereof. The apparatus have improved stability and avoid heeling during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Rune Toennessen
  • Noise attenuation of seismic data
    Patent number: 8855934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of filtering seismic data for noise attenuation. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of processing seismic data in which the seismic data is transformed into an f-x domain using a discrete Fourier transform and is then filtered at each discrete frequency using an infinite impulse response (HR) filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ali Ozbek, Peter Forman
  • Generating inversion ready seismic data
    Patent number: 8854919
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving first seismic data acquired by one or more receivers in response to energy produced by one or more seismic sources interacting with a subsurface feature. The first seismic data is indicative of measured reflection coefficients for image points for the subsurface feature, the measured reflection coefficients are associated with incidence angles, and a range of the incidence angles varies with respect to an image point position. The technique includes processing the first seismic data in a machine to generate second data indicative of a normal incidence reflection coefficient for at least one of the image points not associated with a normal angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Walter Scott Leaney
  • JOINT INVERSION OF GEOPHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
    Publication number: 20140297187
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method. The method may receive seismic attributes regarding a region of interest in a subsurface of the earth. The method may receive electrical attributes regarding the region of interest. The method may receive a selection of a rock physics model for the region of interest. The method may calculate values of rock parameters for the selected rock physics model using a nonlinear relation that links cross-properties between the seismic attributes and the electrical attributes for the region of interest. The method may determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits in the region of interest using the calculated values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: FABIO MARCO MIOTTI, ANDREA LOVATINI, IVAN GUERRA
  • ESTIMATING TRANSLATIONAL DATA
    Publication number: 20140288837
    Abstract: Translational data acquired by at least one seismic sensor is received. Gradient sensor data acquired by at least one gradient sensor is received. Estimated translational data at a position away from at least one position of the at least one seismic sensor is computed, where the computing is based on the gradient sensor data and the translational data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: PASCAL EDME, EVERHARD JOHAN MUIJZERT
  • REMOVING NOISE FROM A SEISMIC MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20140288841
    Abstract: A technique includes using a filter having filtering parameters based at least in part on a dispersion curve of at least one vibration mode of a streamer to filter a measurement acquired by at least one sensor of the streamer and using results of the filtering to suppress vibration noise present in the measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Bent Andreas Kjellesvig