Patents Assigned to WesternGeco L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 9575193
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to enhance surveying techniques. In one embodiment, a virtual response is estimated that corresponds to energy propagated within a subsurface region between a virtual source and a virtual source estimation receiver, wherein the subsurface region corresponds to a survey zone including: a plurality of receivers deployed within the survey zone, a first subzone having at least one actual source, a second subzone within the first subzone; the virtual source is a first receiver disposed in the second subzone; and the virtual source estimation receiver is a second receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Pieter Leonard Vermeer, David Fraser Halliday
  • Patent number: 9551798
    Abstract: A seismic vibrator receives a pilot signal having a predetermined waveform. The pilot signal causes vibrational actuation of at least one moveable element of the seismic vibrator. A continuous seismic signal having content in a first frequency bandwidth of multiple frequencies is generated by the seismic vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
  • Patent number: 9547097
    Abstract: Marine seismic survey using one or more marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweep function is based on a quality requirement, which may be a final image quality requirement or an environmental requirement. The sweep function may be nonlinear and the energy spectrum may not match the energy spectrum of an airgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 9547095
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a MEMS-based rotation sensor for use in seismic data acquisition and sensor units having same. The MEMS-based rotation sensor includes a substrate, an anchor disposed on the substrate and a proof mass coupled to the anchor via a plurality of flexural springs. The proof mass has a first electrode coupled to and extending therefrom. A second electrode is fixed to the substrate, and one of the first and second electrodes is configured to receive an actuation signal, and another of the first and second electrodes is configured to generate an electrical signal having an amplitude corresponding with a degree of angular movement of the first electrode relative to the second electrode. The MEMS-based rotation sensor further includes closed loop circuitry configured to receive the electrical signal and provide the actuation signal. Related methods for using the MEMS-based rotation sensor in seismic data acquisition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Maxime Projetti, Olivier Vancauwenberghe, Nicolas Goujon, Hans Paulson
  • Patent number: 9541659
    Abstract: A method for removing noise from a three-dimensional representation of seismic data. The method includes receiving seismic data acquired in a seismic survey. The method may organize the acquired seismic data into a three-dimensional representation of the acquired seismic data. The method may then remove a noise from the three-dimensional representation of the acquired seismic data based on at least one criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Vassallo, Kurt Eggenberger, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, Ali Özbek
  • Patent number: 9541658
    Abstract: To process seismic data, a set of data values representing a seismic trace is received, and amplitudes of data values associated with plural groups in the set are analyzed. Different numbers of bits are dynamically allocated to at least some of the groups of the set according to the analyzing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L. L. C.
    Inventor: Francis G. Sherrill
  • Patent number: 9529110
    Abstract: To construct a reduced order model of a subterranean structure, a model reduction algorithm is applied to produce the reduced order model that is an approximation of a true model of the subterranean structure. The model reduction algorithm uses interpolating frequencies that are purely imaginary to enhance computational efficiency of the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L. L. C.
    Inventors: Vladimir Druskin, Mikhail Zaslavsky
  • Publication number: 20160363681
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for modeling and filtering noise in seismic surveys are disclosed. Methods, systems, and computer program products in accordance with the present disclosure perform operations including obtaining seismic information of a region resulting from a source waveform applied to the region. The operations also include obtaining an estimate of visco-elastic properties of a near-surface of the region. The operations further include determining an estimate of propagation of guided waves in the region based on the estimate of visco-elastic properties of a near-surface of the region. Additionally, the operations include determining a model of the guided waves in the near-surface of the region using the estimate of propagation of the guided waves and an estimate of the source waveform. Moreover the operations include determining a filtered output of the seismic information by removing the model of the guided waves from the seismic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Daniele Boiero
  • Patent number: 9513390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for spatial and slowness or angle blurring of plane-wave reflection coefficients in imaging. A wave field may be determined at a reference depth proximate to a reflector for a shot record. A receiver-side blurring function may be determined at the reference depth. An aggregate blurring function may be constructed based at least partially on the source wave field and the receiver-side blurring function. A plane-wave reflection coefficients may be determined based at least partially on the aggregate blurring function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Thomson, Philip Kitchenside, Robin Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9513391
    Abstract: To acquire near-zero offset survey data, a survey source and a first streamer attached to the survey source are provided, where the first streamer has at least one survey receiver. A second streamer separate from the survey source and the first streamer includes survey receivers. Near-zero offset data is measured using the at least one survey receiver of the first streamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L. L. C.
    Inventors: Henk Keers, Aslaug Stroemmen Melboe, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Johan O. A. Robertsson, Julian Edward Kragh, Morten Svendsen, Luren Yang, Svein Arne Frivik
  • Patent number: 9513393
    Abstract: A technique includes distributing particle motion sensors along the length of a seismic streamer. Each particle motion sensor is eccentrically disposed at an associated angle about an axis of the seismic streamer with respect to a reference line that is common to the associated angles. The sensors are mounted to suppress torque noise in measurements that are acquired by the particle motion sensors. This mounting includes substantially varying the associated angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Oeyvind Teigen, Lars Borgen
  • Patent number: 9506339
    Abstract: A method for managing a fracturing operation. In one implementation, the method may include positioning one or more sources and one or more receivers near a hydrocarbon reservoir; pumping a fracturing fluid into a well bore of the hydrocarbon reservoir; performing a survey with the sources and the receivers during the fracturing operation; comparing the baseline survey to the survey performed during the fracturing operation; analyzing one or more differences between the baseline survey and the survey performed during the fracturing operation; and modifying the fracturing operation based on the differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Craig J. Beasley, Iain Bush
  • Patent number: 9500761
    Abstract: A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L. L. C.
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Montgomery Laws, Aslaug Strømmen Melboe
  • Patent number: 9459362
    Abstract: A marine seismic survey using one or more moving marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweeping function is based on smearing error criteria and is a downward-sweeping non-linear sweep function. The acquired seismic data can either be used as is without desmearing or desmeared easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 9453925
    Abstract: A technique includes determining at least one parameter that characterizes a seismic survey in which multiple interfering seismic sources are fired and seismic sensors sense energy that is produced by the seismic sources. The determination of the parameter(s) includes optimizing the seismic survey for separation of the sensed energy according to the seismic sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L. L. C.
    Inventors: Craig J. Beasley, William Henry Dragoset, Jr., Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 9453928
    Abstract: Computing systems and methods for processing collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for iteratively separating a simultaneous-source dataset is provided, wherein the simultaneous-source dataset is used as an input dataset for a first iteration of simultaneous-source separation. The input dataset includes a plurality of shots that include data corresponding to a plurality of source activations. The method of iteratively separating the input dataset includes generating simulated simultaneous shots based on shots separated in the input dataset; and forming an output dataset based on the separated simultaneous shots and the simultaneous-source dataset, wherein the output dataset is configured for use as the input dataset for the next iteration of separating the simultaneous-source dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bartosz Szydlik, Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 9442892
    Abstract: Based at least in part on one or more characteristics relating to a measurement system, a polygonal space in a Fourier domain is determined. A representation of a function that is bandlimited within the polygonal space is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Can Evren Yarman, Ryan Dean Lewis, Lucas Monzon
  • Patent number: 9423522
    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: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 9417346
    Abstract: A seismic land vibrator, comprising a baseplate comprising a substantially flat, rigid member; at least one driven member that is connected with the baseplate and extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to baseplate; a rotation sensor that is coupled to the baseplate and adapted to provide a signal that is indicative of rotational movement of at least a portion of the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Claudio Bagaini, Julian Edward Kragh
  • Patent number: 9417350
    Abstract: Method for building a subsalt velocity model. In one implementation, the method may include determining a velocity of a sedimentary area surrounding a salt body, determining an initial velocity of a subsalt sedimentary area disposed below the salt body by interpolating the velocity of the surrounding sedimentary area with one or more boundaries defining the salt body, and updating the initial velocity of the subsalt sedimentary area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Niranjan C. Banik