Patents Assigned to WesternGeco L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 10353098
    Abstract: A technique includes spatially filtering a signal that is derived from a seismic acquisition. The filtering is associated with a filter length, and the filtering includes varying the filter length with frequency. The filtering may be used in connection with adaptive noise attenuation, which is applied to decomposed subbands. Furthermore, the filtering may be applied during the reconstruction of the signal from the subbands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Edward Martin, Ahmet Kemal Ă–zdemir, Bent Andreas Kjellesvig, Ali Ozbek
  • Patent number: 10345473
    Abstract: A system having an unmanned marine vessel and a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled to the unmanned marine vessel. The multi-dimensional seismic sensor array is configured to acquire seismic survey data and calculate pressure gradients in multiple directions. The frame includes members that are configured to rotatably pivot with respect to each other in moveable x-shaped crossing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Roger G. Hine
  • Patent number: 10345461
    Abstract: A technique includes towing at least one seismic source in connection with a survey of a structure; and operating the seismic source(s) to fire shots, where each shot is associated with a frequency sweep. The technique includes varying phases of the frequency sweeps from shot to shot according to a predetermined phase sequence to allow noise in an energy sensed by seismic sensors to be attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 10343844
    Abstract: To store sensor devices in a sensor storage system, the sensor devices are hanged on hangers in the sensor storage system. The sensor devices are transported through stations of the sensor storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Pascal Guillaume Edme
  • Patent number: 10295688
    Abstract: A method for removing internal multiples from collected data, such as seismic data. The method includes predicting internal multiples for each horizon in a plurality of horizons that created the internal multiples. The internal multiples may be predicted from the seismic data in one pass. After predicting the internal multiples, the method includes creating a separate model of internal multiples for each horizon based on the predicted internal multiples for each horizon. The method then iteratively subtracts each separate model of internal multiples for each horizon from the seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Adriana Citlali Ramirez-Perez, Alan G. Teague, Milton A. Walz, Zhiming Wu
  • Patent number: 10288754
    Abstract: A method for removing seismic noise from an input seismic trace. The method may receive the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more noise references for the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more filters corresponding to the noise references. The method may apply a nonlinear function to the input seismic trace and to the one or more noise references to produce respective output signals for the input seismic trace and for the one or more noise references. The nonlinear function may be capable of determining higher-order statistics. The method may update the filters based on increasing one or more information attributes of the output signals to a predetermined threshold. The method may then filter noise corresponding to the noise references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kuang-Hung Liu, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10288751
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving seismic data acquired by an array of seismic sensors during a towed marine survey of a subsurface and performing migration velocity analysis to determine a background velocity model of the subsurface based at least in part on particle motion derived from the seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Phil Kitchenside, Dave Nichols, Susanne Rentsch, Gabriele Busanello
  • Patent number: 10281602
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring seismic streamer data is provided. Embodiments may include performing a marine seismic survey using an unmanned marine vessel having a power source configured to drive and provide propulsion to the unmanned marine vessel. Embodiments may further include acquiring one or more of long and ultra-long seismic survey data using a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled with the unmanned marine vessel and providing the seismic survey data as a reduced data set that includes long and ultra long offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Denes Vigh, Surrinder Kapoor, Sudhir Pai
  • Patent number: 10281605
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein are directed to a method that includes deploying a plurality of wave gliders in a seismic survey area, where the plurality of wave gliders has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for acquiring seismic data. The method may also include deploying at least one source vessel in the seismic survey area, where the at least one source vessel has one or more sources coupled thereto and a central communication unit disposed thereon. The method may then include positioning the plurality of wave gliders according to an initial navigation plan. The method may further include monitoring a relative position of a respective wave glider in the plurality of wave gliders with respect to other wave gliders in the plurality of wave gliders and with respect to the at least one source vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 10274621
    Abstract: Seismic surveying techniques are described in which seismic receivers in a seismic array are used as seismic sources. These receiver-sources may be used to determine the near-surface structures of the Earth, geometric properties of the survey array, receiver locations and operations of the survey array. The receiver-sources may be driven by drive sequences to produce amplified receiver-source signals, plane waves, surface waves converging towards a point inside the seismic array, surface waves sweeping through the seismic array and/or the like. The receiver-sources may comprise geophones, hydrophones, accelerometers and/or the like. A driver may be used to drive the receiver-sources and the driver may be controlled by a processor. By encoding drive sequences, seismic data generated by the receiver-sources may be separated from seismic data generated by another seismic source in the seismic array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Julian Edward Kragh, Pascal Edme, David Neser, Martin Howlid
  • Patent number: 10261215
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fabio Marco Miotti, Andrea Lovatini, Ivan Guerra
  • Patent number: 10241219
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an elongated housing containing particle motion sensors spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the elongated housing, where the elongated housing has a length that is greater than a width of the elongated housing. A second portion includes communication circuitry to communicate over a communication medium, the second portion coupled to the elongated housing and having a width that is greater than the width of the elongated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Seth Friedly, Einar Holst, Kambiz Iranpour
  • Patent number: 10191170
    Abstract: A seismic acquisition system. The seismic acquisition system may include at least one unmanned water vehicle. The seismic acquisition system may also include at least one seismic streamer coupled to the at least one unmanned water vehicle, where the at least one seismic streamer has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for recording seismic data in a survey area. The seismic acquisition system may further include a buoyancy compensation mechanism coupled to the at least one seismic streamer, where the buoyancy compensation mechanism is configured to orient the at least one seismic streamer between a generally vertical direction and a generally horizontal direction through a water column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muijzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 10162070
    Abstract: Acquired data that corresponds at least in part to a target structure is received. One or more subsets of a first type are formed from the acquired data. The one or more subsets of the first type are converted to one or more subsets of a second, different type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Nichols, Everett Mobley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10126452
    Abstract: Marine seismic vibrators in a marine seismic vibrator array for use in a seismic survey are activated to produce a source gradient wavefield to survey a target structure. The seismic survey may comprise a marine seismic survey conducted in a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 10094944
    Abstract: Separating survey data for multiple survey sources where first survey data along a first axis measured by a survey sensor device is received, the first survey data responsive to activations of the plurality of survey sources at respective azimuths with respect to the survey sensor device. Second survey data is rotated towards a first azimuth of a first of the plurality of survey sources. The rotated second survey data is used as a model of interference caused by a subset of the plurality of survey sources excluding the first survey source. In other examples, a time dithering technique is performed to separate survey data for multiple survey sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Everhard Johan Muijzert
  • Patent number: 10088583
    Abstract: A technique includes generating vibroseis sweeps for a vibroseis survey to produce seismic data acquired in response to seismic signals produced by the sweeps. The generation of the vibroseis sweeps including temporally arranging the sweeps into time-overlapping groups. The technique includes regulating a timing of the groups relative to each other based on a slip time. The technique also includes regulating a timing of the sweeps of each group such that consecutive sweep firings of each group are spaced apart by a time substantially less than the slip time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Claudio Bagaini, Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 10082589
    Abstract: A group of techniques can be used to determine if components of a seismic spread have deviated from a planned path during a coil or other curved and substantially circular acquisition pattern. In one aspect, and in general, the presently disclosed techniques include a computer-readable program storage medium for determining the deviation of spread array element from a planned curved path during a towed-array marine seismic survey. The method comprises: determining a nominal position of the spread array element at a given point in the planned curved path; determining the actual position of the spread array element; and performing an error analysis predicated on the nominal and actual positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan Hauan, Rune Hagelund, Stig Solheim
  • Patent number: 10078146
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an array of seismic sensor units that are adapted to acquire measurements in connection with a land surface-based seismic survey. Each seismic sensor unit includes a particle motion sensor and a rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Everhard Johan Muijzert
  • Patent number: 10061045
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining and/or processing slip sweep seismic survey data. The methods compute harmonic weight ratios using two types of data: 1) direct survey data where a harmonic sweep does not overlap with the fundamental component of responses of Earth interior and 2) another set of data representative of fundamental component of responses of Earth interior where the harmonic sweep does overlap with the fundamental component of responses of Earth interior. The set of data representative fundamental component of responses of Earth interior can be extracted from ground force measurements or a different sweep. The harmonic weight ratios using ground force measurements at overlapped frequencies may be calibrated with one or more harmonic weight ratios at non-overlapped frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Claudio Bagaini