Patents Assigned to WesternGeco L.L.C.
  • Seismic acquisition system
    Patent number: 7885143
    Abstract: Various technologies for a seismic acquisition system, which may include an acquisition central system configured to determine a desired start time for a sweep cycle in one or more vibrators and a recorder source system controller in communication with the acquisition central system. The recorder source system controller may be configured to receive the desired start time from the acquisition central system. The seismic acquisition system may further include one or more vibrator units in communication with the recorder source system controller. Each vibrator unit may be configured to start a sweep cycle in a vibrator at the desired start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Martin Laycock
  • Surveying method using an arrangement of plural signal sources
    Patent number: 7880469
    Abstract: A survey technique for use in a marine environment to survey a subterranean structure includes providing an arrangement of plural signal sources in a body of water to produce corresponding signals. The signals of the signal sources in the arrangement are set to cause reduction of at least one predetermined signal component in data received by a receiver in response to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Jiuping Chen, Kevin Eyl, Stephen A. Horne, Edward Nichols
  • Active steering for marine sources
    Patent number: 7881152
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eskild Storteig, Martin Howlid, Rohit Singh
  • Seismic data acquisition and source-side derivatives generation and application
    Patent number: 7876642
    Abstract: The technologies described herein include systems and methods for encoding/decoding seismic sources and responses, generating and using of source-side derivatives while also generating and using the conventional source response. Sources in an array may be encoded such that activation of each source in the array constitutes a single spike in a sequence orthogonal to another sequence emitted by another source. The responses to these different sources that are in close spatial proximity can be decoded and separated. Source-side derivatives may be calculated and utilized in various applications in combination with the monopole response from the source location, including source-side deghosting, spatial (horizontal and vertical) interpolation and imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan O. A. Robertsson, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, David Halliday, Robert Laws
  • Processing a seismic monitor survey
    Patent number: 7859943
    Abstract: A technique includes accessing seismic data that is associated with seismic measurements taken from a reservoir and a surrounding rock mass at a given time. Based on a velocity model developed from a predicted change in the reservoir and surrounding rock mass occurring from a prior to the given time, processing the seismic data to generate a survey of the reservoir and surrounding rock mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jorg V. Herwanger
  • Enhanced fiber optic seismic land cable
    Patent number: 7860362
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable comprises a cable core comprising at least one optical fiber and one of at least one electrical conductor and at least one strength member disposed adjacent the at least one optical fiber, at least one polymeric inner layer enclosing the cable core, and at least one polymeric outer layer enclosing the cable core and the inner layer to form the fiber optic cable, the outer layer operable to maintain integrity of the cable within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph Varkey, Vladimir Hernandez-Solis
  • Electromagnetically detecting thin resistive bodies in shallow water and terrestrial environments
    Patent number: 7860655
    Abstract: A technique includes using a first sensor to perform a first electromagnetic field measurement to obtain first data, which is indicative of the presence of a resistive body. The first data is relatively sensitive to an effect that is caused by an air layer boundary. The technique includes using a second sensor to perform a second electromagnetic field measurement to obtain second data, which is indicative of the presence of the resistive body. The second data is relatively sensitive to the effect, and the first and second sensors are either both magnetic field sensors or both electric field sensors. The technique includes combining the first and second data to generate third data, which is relatively insensitive to the effect and is indicative of the presence of the resistive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Alumbaugh, Jiuping Chen, Huntly F. Morrison
  • SEISMIC SENSOR DEVICES
    Publication number: 20100302909
    Abstract: A sensor device (100) is adapted to be installed at a land-air interface. The sensor device (100) comprises a fluid-filled housing (101) and a sensor arrangement (102, 103) supported within the housing (101) and coupled directly to the fluid so as to detect movement thereof. A seismic sensor installation comprises a sensor device (100) installed at a land-air boundary, wherein the sensor device comprises a fluid-filled housing (101) and a sensor arrangement (102, 103) supported within the housing (101) and coupled directly to the fluid as to detect movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Johan Muyzert, James Edward Martin
  • Seismic vibrator baseplate
    Patent number: 7841444
    Abstract: One example of a seismic vibrator system includes a baseplate having a bottom surface and a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism being operable to a deployed position; a hold-down mass connected to the baseplate; a lifting mechanism in operational connection with the hold-down mass and the baseplate to apply a selected hold-down weight to the baseplate; and a driving mechanism functionally connected to the baseplate to transmit seismic energy through the baseplate into a ground surface to which the baseplate is coupled, wherein the coupling mechanism is urged outward from the bottom surface and into physical contact with the ground surface when operated to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. C. Cannell, Malcolm Francis
  • Attenuating a surface seismic wave
    Patent number: 7843765
    Abstract: To attenuate a surface seismic wave, seismic sensors having a predetermined orientation with respect to a surface are provided, where the seismic sensors receive seismic waves including a seismic wave reflected from a subterranean structure and the surface seismic wave propagating in at least a first direction that is generally parallel to the surface. A signal that represents a partial derivative of a wavefield containing the surface seismic wave is provided, and the signal is integrated to obtain a response in which the surface seismic wave is attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kamata
  • Reconstructing low frequency data recordings using a spread of shallow and deep streamers
    Patent number: 7835224
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining first data indicative of seismic measurements acquired by seismic sensors of a first set of towed streamers and obtaining second data indicative of seismic measurements acquired by seismic sensors of a second set of towed streamers. The second set of towed streamers is towed at a deeper depth than the first set of towed streamers. The technique includes interpolating seismic measurements based on the first and second data. The interpolation includes assigning more weight to the second data than to the first data for lower frequencies of the interpolated seismic measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan Olof Anders Robertsson, Everhard Muyzert
  • Removing noise from seismic data obtained from towed seismic sensors
    Patent number: 7835223
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining different sets of data, which are provided by seismic sensors that share a tow line in common. Each data set is associated with a different spatial sampling interval. The technique includes processing the different sets of data to generate a signal that is indicative of a seismic event that is detected by the set of towed seismic sensors. The processing includes using the different spatial sampling intervals to at least partially eliminate noise from the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicolas Goujon
  • Optical methods and systems in marine seismic surveying
    Patent number: 7835221
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining position of marine seismic spread components are disclosed. One method comprises exposing an underwater marine seismic spread component to an optical device, and calculating geometry of the spread component using at least some of the data obtained by the optical device, for example travel time for an optical signal to travel to and return from one or more spread elements in the spread component. The optical device may comprise one or more laser scanners, cameras, or laser scanners and cameras. The spread component may be a marine seismic source, a marine seismic streamer cable, and the like. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Erik Vigen, Luren Yang
  • Identifying an internal multiple generator in a subterranean structure
    Patent number: 7826307
    Abstract: A technique is provided for identifying an internal multiple generator in a subterranean structure. The technique includes injecting wavefields at different levels in the subterranean structure, where the different levels are proximate a predicted location of the internal multiple generator. Wavefields induced by the injected wavefields are recorded and the effect of the internal multiple generator based on the recorded wavefields is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Philip Kitchenside
  • Methods of electromagnetic logging using a current focusing receiver
    Patent number: 7826972
    Abstract: A method for determining a formation electrical property under a sea floor includes obtaining measurement data using a receiver having an impedance lower than an impedance of seawater at a measurement site; correcting the measurement data to obtain corrected data corresponding to data that would have been acquired using a receiver having an impedance matched with the impedance of the seawater; and deriving the formation property from the corrected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C
    Inventors: Kamal Babour, Christian Besson, Kambiz Safinya, Philip Heelan, Edward Nichols
  • Methods for electromagnetic measurements and correction of non-ideal receiver responses
    Patent number: 7822553
    Abstract: A method for determining formation electrical properties includes deploying one or more receivers for electromagnetic logging; obtaining measurement data indicative of the formation electrical properties using the deployed receivers; correcting the measurement data for receiver imperfection; and inverting the corrected measurement data to obtain one or more parameters of formation electrical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christian Besson, Kamal Babour, Kambiz A. Safinya, Edward Nichols
  • Control devices for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer
    Patent number: 7822552
    Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Simon H. Bittleston
  • Jointly interpolating and deghosting seismic data
    Patent number: 7817495
    Abstract: A technique includes representing actual measurements of a seismic wavefield as combinations of an upgoing component of the seismic wavefield and ghost operators. Interpolated and deghosted components of the seismic wavefield are jointly determined based at least in part on the actual measurements and the representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ali Ozbek, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Massimiliano Vassallo
  • Performing quality control with respect to positioning of survey hardware
    Patent number: 7813218
    Abstract: To perform quality control with respect to positioning of survey hardware, survey navigation data is acquired regarding components of the survey hardware used to perform a survey operation with respect to a subterranean structure. Error statistics according to the survey navigation data are determined in real time. An action is effected in response to the error statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Welker
  • Sensor and recorder communication
    Patent number: 7813221
    Abstract: Implementations of various technologies for a method for establishing communication pathway redundancy within a seismic recording array. In one implementation, the method may include identifying each data acquisition cell deployed in a seismic field and determining one or more communication pathways for each data acquisition cell. The communication pathways include a primary communication pathway and at least one backup communication pathway toward a data collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Simon Barakat, Harvey Ray Grimes