Abstract: An apparatus includes particle motion sensors and a streamer that contains the particle motion sensors. The streamer is to be towed in connection with a seismic survey, and the towing of the streamer produces a turbulent flow. The streamer includes an inner cable that contains the particle motion sensors and a fluid containing layer to surround the inner cable to reduce noise otherwise sensed by the particle motion sensors due to the turbulent flow.

Abstract: A technique includes estimating propagation parameters that are associated with a towed seismic survey based at least in part on seismic signal measurements and noise measurements.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving sensor acquired data, which includes pressure data representative of at least one pressure measurement of a wavefield and particle motion data representative of at least one particle motion measurement of the wavefield. The technique includes filtering the pressure data and the particle motion data with a plurality of directional filters to provide a plurality of filtered datasets. The filtered datasets are associated with different directional ranges. The technique includes estimating an angle of incidence for at least one of the directional ranges based at least in part on at least one of the filtered datasets; and processing the acquired data to determine at least one of an upgoing component of the wavefield and a downgoing component of the wavefield based at least in part on the at least one estimated angle of incidence.

Abstract: A method for use in a land-based seismic survey includes: transmitting a plurality of source control commands to a plurality of seismic sources over a VHF/IP network; and managing congestion on the VHF/IP network while transmitting the source control commands. In other aspects, a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform such a method and a computer programmed to perform such a method.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosed invention includes a method for attenuating noise during acquisition of marine seismic date. The method includes placing a seismic streamer in a body of water. The seismic streamer includes a streamer body having a length and a channel, a seismic sensor disposed within the channel, and a gel disposed within the channel. The gel has a complex viscosity of at least 50 Pascals and includes a concentration of a polymer between the range of about 5% and about 25% by weight. The method also includes placing a source in the body of water. The seismic streamer and the source are towed through the body of water and the source is fired while being towed through the body of water. Data is collected from the seismic streamer as it is towed through the body of water.

Abstract: A method for processing seismic data. The method includes predicting seismic data according to an earth model representing seismic properties of subterranean formations in the earth, determining a difference between seismic data acquired from one or more seismic receivers and the predicted seismic data, projecting the difference into a model space in traveltime, and updating the earth model according to the projected difference. As a result, the updated earth model more accurately represents the seismic properties of subterranean formations in the earth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position of a buoyancy element in a marine survey are described in which a passive reflecting material is disposed on the buoyancy element to enable a radar on the vessel to detect the position of the buoyancy element. The radar may emit a frequency modulated continuous wave or a sequence of frequency modulated or phase modulated sinusoidal waves.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes accessing a set of multicomponent marine noise data exhibiting a plurality of polarization vectors at each of a plurality of co-located pressure and particle motion data points on a marine seismic survey apparatus; and determining a set of perturbation noise data for the marine seismic survey apparatus from the polarization vectors. Computer readable program storage media are encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the computer-implemented method. A computing apparatus is programmed to perform the computer-implemented method.

Abstract: A technique includes acquiring particle motion data from a plurality of particle motion sensors while in tow during a seismic survey. During the seismic survey, the particle motion data are processed without deghosting the particle motion data to determine whether at least some portion of the particle motion data is inadequate for an application that relies on the particle motion data.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for in-field configuration of land survey sensors. One or more planned positions of the sensors may be received. One or more actual positions of the sensors may be determined. The actual positions may be sent to the sensors while the sensors are powered off.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring seismic data are described, one system comprising one or more seismic sources, a plurality of sensor modules each comprising a seismic sensor configured to sample analog seismic data, each module comprising a comparing unit comprising software; wherein the software in each module tests clock quality by running a sigma-delta modulator from two different clock sources in the node and compares a noise-floor of the modulator when using the different clocks.

Abstract: A method for updating a velocity model of a subsurface of the earth is described herein. A tomographic update to the velocity model of the subsurface may be performed to generate a tomographic velocity model update. A geomechanical velocity model update of the subsurface may be calculated. The geomechanical velocity model update may be combined with the tomographic velocity model update.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention concerns a probe that couples to a seismic vessel via a tow cable. When deploying probes from a seismic vessel that is towing source arrays and streamers, the probe and its tow cable can tangle with elements of the towed seismic spread. However, a cable guide may be used to lessen the risk for such entanglement by guiding the tow cable into the water at a distance removed from the seismic spread. Also, the probe may be steerable to steer the probe and tow cable away from the seismic spread. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A technique includes obtaining a plurality of sets of measurements of distances between nodes located on a seismic spread element while the element is in tow. Each set is acquired in response to the operation of a different set of sources. The technique includes determining a three-dimensional structure of the seismic spread element while in tow based at least in part on the sets of measurements.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods for improving imaging of collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first wavefield is propagated to obtain a first wavefield history; the first wavefield is again propagated to obtain a second wavefield history, wherein the propagation includes integration of one or more Q-effects; a first attenuated traveltime history is estimated based at least in part on the first and second wavefield histories; a first Q-model filter is calculated based at least in part on the first estimated attenuated traveltime; and a first adjusted wavefield is generated based at least in part on application of the first Q-model filter to the first wavefield. In some embodiments, an image is generated based at least on a first adjusted wavefield and a second wavefield.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seismic processing are provided. For example, the method may include modeling seismic data as a combination of a modeling matrix and a parameter vector, and determining a plurality of solution spaces of filter models for the parameter vector. The method may also include calculating data residual terms for the filter models, wherein the data residual terms are related to a difference between the seismic data and a combination of the modeling matrix and the parameter vector determined using the filter models. The method may further include selecting a solution filter model for the parameter vector from among the filter models based on a combination of the data residual terms and complexities of the filter models, and performing a seismic processing operation using the solution filter model and the seismic data.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods to producing a reverse time migration model dip-guided image using processed vertical seismic profile data are provided. In one embodiment, vertical seismic profile data for a subsurface geological formation is obtained. One or more dip estimates corresponding to the subsurface geological formation are also obtained. One or more model dip-guided reverse time migration imaging conditions are determined and applied to the obtained vertical seismic profile data to produce the processed vertical seismic profile data.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving first data indicative of a pressure measurement and measurements of components of a particle motion vector acquired by sensors disposed on at least one cable; and processing the first data to generate second data indicative of a constructed an in-line component of the particle motion vector. The technique includes processing the first and second data in a geophysical processing operation that relies on at least three components of the particle motion vector.

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.