Patents Assigned to WesternGeco
  • Patent number: 10605599
    Abstract: A gradient sensor device includes a support structure providing a surface, and at least three particle motion sensors coupled with and/or arranged on the support structure to measure translational data in a first direction. The particle motion sensors have an arrangement that enables calculation of a spatial gradient of the translational data in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Johan Muijzert, Pascal Guillaume Edme
  • Patent number: 10578759
    Abstract: Various implementations directed to quality control and preconditioning of seismic data are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving particle motion data from particle motion sensors disposed on seismic streamers. The method may also include performing quality control (QC) processing on the particle motion data. The method may further include performing preconditioning processing on the QC-processed particle motion data. The method may additionally include attenuating noise in the preconditioning-processed particle motion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Bent Andreas Kjellesvig
  • Patent number: 10571583
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Julian Edward Kragh, Filippo Broggini
  • Patent number: 10557955
    Abstract: Acquiring seismic data using time-distributed sources and converting the acquired data into impulsive data using a multiple-frequency approach. The methods are performed in frequency-source location domain, frequency-wavenumber domain, or frequency-slowness domain. The methods are applicable to single source acquisition or simultaneous source acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Fraser Halliday
  • Patent number: 10551517
    Abstract: Synthetic survey data is generated using a two-way or one-way wave propagator based on a current model of a target structure. The current model is modified to reduce a difference between the synthetic survey data and observed survey data, while maintaining unchanged a velocity component of the current model, where the modifying of the current model produces a modified model. The modified model is used to reduce an adverse effect of multiples in the target structure, or to promote a favorable effect of multiples in the target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: James E. Rickett, Clement Kostov, Anna Marjatta Makinen
  • Patent number: 10545261
    Abstract: A method for modelling geomechanical effects in the subsurface by conditioning geomechanical model parameters to time-lapse observations. The model is driven by displacement boundary conditions derived from observed time-lapse travel time shift and time strain. The displacements at the boundaries of the model are extracted from time-lapse data, converted from travel time shift to depth shift and lateral shifts if necessary, and applied as displacement increments on the initial geomechanical model. Subsequently, increments of stresses and strains are calculated by the geomechanical simulator, and time-lapse related parameters in the interior of the model are compared with the time-lapse observations. This enables a comprehensive study of mismatch between simulations and observations that can be used to update material properties, faults, fractures and the rock strain-velocity change relationship (R factor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jarle Haukås, Jan Øystein Haavig Bakke, Michael Hermann Nickel, Lars Kristian Sønneland
  • Patent number: 10545252
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving seismic data indicative of measurements acquired by seismic sensors. The measurements are associated with a measurement noise. The technique includes estimating at least one characteristic of the measurement noise and deghosting the seismic data based at least in part on the estimated characteristic(s) of the measurement noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Philippe Caprioli, Ali Ozbek, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, Massimiliano Vassallo
  • Patent number: 10539695
    Abstract: A technique for reconstructing a seismic wavefield includes receiving data over one or more channels of a plurality of channels from a plurality of stations. The data is recorded by a plurality of seismic receivers and represent measurements of properties of the seismic wavefield. Each station includes a region in space including one or more seismic receivers. Each channel either measures a property of the seismic wavefield or a property of the seismic wavefield after the seismic wavefield has undergone a known transformation. At least one channel is derived as a function of one or more other channels. The technique includes using a processor based machine to process the data to model the seismic wavefield as a sum of basis functions; apply to the basis functions at least one forward transformation that describes the measurements received over the channel(s); and determine optimum basis functions based at least in part on the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ali Ozbek, Massimiliano Vassallo, David Fraser Halliday, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 10520623
    Abstract: Methods and systems for marine survey acquisition are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided that may deploy a marine seismic spread that includes a first seismic source, a second seismic source and a streamer with a receiver. The second source may be disposed at a distance from the first seismic source in an inline direction. The distance may be selected to produce one or more pairs of shot points during a seismic survey. The shot points within a pair may be disposed within a range that is used to calculate a pressure source gradient between the shot points within the pair. The method may shoot the first seismic source and the second seismic source substantially simultaneously. The method may record seismic data associated with shooting the first seismic source and the second seismic source. The method may calculate the pressure source gradient for respective pairs of shot points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Massimiliano Vassallo, Claudio Bagaini
  • Patent number: 10509139
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Bent Andreas Kjellesvig
  • Patent number: 10502850
    Abstract: Processing measurements to create “reflectivity” data at a datum for a target using Joint Point-Spread Functions. The “reflectivity” data can be an image or an extended image. The methods can create single reflectivity data from measurements from multiple experiments, or multiple processed datasets via different processing routes from measurements from a single experiment, or measurements from a single experiment with multiple simultaneous sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ivan Pires De Vasconcelos, James E. Rickett
  • Patent number: 10481297
    Abstract: A method of determining a migration pathway of a subterranean fluid through a geological volume is provided. The starting object is located within the geological volume. The starting object defines an initial fluid boundary. Data points are distributed through the geological volume. The data points are associated with values of one or more geological attributes. The method includes the steps of: defining an expression which determines a change in position of the fluid boundary at the data points over an iteration based on the values of the one or more attributes; and applying the expression at the data points for successive iterations to evolve the fluid boundary over the successive iterations. The migration pathway of the subterranean fluid through the geological volume can then be determined from the evolution of the fluid boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Oda Roaldsdotter Ravndal, Jarle Haukås, Bjørn Harald Fotland, Lars Sønneland
  • Patent number: 10451755
    Abstract: Processing data representing a wavefield propagating through a medium by defining, based on one or more properties of a region of the medium and of the wavefield therein, a desired timestep and a desired spatial step for a discrete operator. Discrete seed operators having an initial timestep and an initial spatial step less than the desired timestep and the desired spatial step are then defined, and these seed operators are compounded to obtain an operator having a greater timestep and upscaled to obtain an operator having a greater spatial step. The compounding and upscaling are repeated until an operator having the desired timestep and the desired spatial step is obtained. The operator having the desired timestep and the desired spatial step may be applied to the data representing the wavefield propagating through a medium to propagate the data backwards in time to recreate the wavefield at earlier times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Colin Thomson
  • Patent number: 10451753
    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: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Maxime Projetti, Olivier Vancauwenberghe, Nicolas Goujon, Hans Paulson
  • Patent number: 10429530
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing marine seismic data with a process of combined deghosting and sparse ?-p transformation. The process is formulated as an optimization problem. The optimization problem has an objective function that is a weighted sum of two norms: one norm is an Lp norm of the differences between the modeled data and acquired survey wherein the modeled data are derived from a model and a set of adaptive filters; the other norm is an Lq norm of the model; and the optimization variables and solutions are the coefficients of the model and coefficients of the adaptive filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: James E. Rickett, Dirk-Jan van Manen
  • Patent number: 10422906
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Daniele Boiero
  • Patent number: 10422898
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for seismic data processing. The method may receive seismic data for a region of interest. The seismic data may be acquired in a seismic survey. The method may receive a summation that is based on a particle motion velocity component of a seismic wavefield in the vertical direction and the pressure component of the seismic wavefield. The method may predict an upgoing pressure component of the seismic wavefield for the region of interest. The method may compare the predicted upgoing pressure component to the received seismic data that corresponds to the received summation. The method may update the predicted upgoing pressure component based on the comparison. The method may use the updated upgoing pressure component in hydrocarbon exploration or production for the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ralf Ferber
  • Patent number: 10408954
    Abstract: The present application relates to a seismic sensor coupling device and method. Translational data in a first direction is measured by particle motion sensors contained in an elongated housing of a sensor device provided at an earth surface. The particle motion sensors are spaced apart along a second, different direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated housing. Rotation data around a third direction is computed based at least in part on computing a gradient of the translational data with respect to the second direction. Coupling of the sensor to the earth and features related thereto are addressed in the present application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Pascal Edme
  • Patent number: 10401516
    Abstract: Computing systems, computer-readable media, and methods for seismic processing. The method includes receiving seismic data including acquired seismic waveforms that were acquired from a seismic receiver and represent a subterranean area, generating synthetic waveforms based on an initial model of the subterranean area, determining a model error by minimizing a local travel time shift error between one or more of the acquired seismic waveforms and one or more of the synthetic waveforms, and adjusting the initial model based on the model error to generate an adjusted model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kun Jiao, Dong Sun, Xin Cheng, Denes Vigh
  • Patent number: 10353100
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving first data acquired by at least a particle motion gradient sensor or a rotation sensor of a streamer that is subject to vibration due to towing of the streamer; and receiving second data acquired by at least one particle motion sensor of the streamer and being indicative of particle motion and vibration noise. The technique includes processing the second data in a processor-based machine to, based at least in part on the first data, attenuate the vibration noise indicated by the second data to generate third data indicative of the particle motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolas Goujon, Johan O. A. Robertsson, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir