Patents Assigned to WesternGeco
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10054704
    Abstract: Data representing a first multiple is predicted, based on first survey data for a target structure, using a multidimensional model of a layer in which the first multiple occurs. Modified survey data is produced by performing a subtraction of the predicted data representing the first multiple from the first survey data. Based on the modified survey data, data representing a second multiple is predicted using the multidimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Bisley, Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 10054701
    Abstract: A system for storing seismic data recording units. The system may include a storage unit for storing the seismic data recording units. The system may also include a storage container disposed inside the storage unit. The storage container may define a volume of space in which the seismic data recording units are stored. The system may also include a cable coupled to one of the seismic data recording units. The cable may transfer seismic data from the one of the seismic data recording units to the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Einar Holst
  • Patent number: 10048395
    Abstract: A seismic sensor device includes an elongated housing for placement at least partially into an earth surface. A plurality of particle motion sensors are contained in the elongated housing to measure translational data in a first direction, where plural pairs of the particle motion sensors are spaced apart along a second, different direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated housing. A communication interface communicates the measured translational data to a computer system configured to compute a gradient based on respective differences of the measured translational data of the corresponding plural pairs of the particle motion sensors, and compute one or more of rotation data and divergence data using the gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolas Goujon, Pascal Edme, Artem Kashubin, Everhard Johan Muijzert, Claudio Bagaini
  • Patent number: 10031247
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving data indicative of a first measurement acquired by a rotation sensor on a seismic streamer and based on the first measurement, estimating a torque noise present in a measurement acquired by a second sensor on the streamer. The technique includes attenuating the torque noise based on the estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Vidar Anders Husom, Nicolas Goujon, Oeyvind Teigen, Lars Borgen
  • Publication number: 20180164461
    Abstract: Marine seismic surveys, including ocean bottom surveys, utilizing marine vibrator arrays that are capable of being driven in anti-phase to produce a directional source gradient. Marine seismic surveys may include activating the vibrator array to emit a plurality of radiation patterns with at least a first radiation pattern that has a first notch at a take-off angle that is not close to vertical. Some marine seismic surveys includes emitting directive wavefields from two or more simultaneous seismic source arrays, where the two or more seismic source arrays have a phase that changes from shot-to-shot to allow simultaneous source separation of the directive wavefields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO LLC
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 9971053
    Abstract: Methods and systems for survey operations are provided. In some embodiments, crossline measurement data measured by at least one survey receiver is received. Based at least in part on a characteristic of the crossline measurement data, an option from among a plurality of candidate options is selected, where the selected option is for use in an action relating to survey of a target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Susanne Rentsch-Smith, Philippe Caprioli, Massimiliano Vassallo, Dirk-Jan Van Manen
  • Patent number: 9869787
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer marine seismic data are described. One method and system comprises positioning a plurality of source-only tow vessels and one or more source-streamer tow vessels to acquire a wide- and/or full-azimuth seismic survey without need for the spread to repeat a path once traversed. Another method and system allows surveying a sub-sea geologic feature using a marine seismic spread, the spread smartly negotiating at least one turn during the surveying, and shooting and recording during the turn. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Alan Strudley
  • Patent number: 9857491
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine seismic acquisition system. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a first vessel towing a first source array and a first plurality of streamers. The first vessel is configured to travel along a first coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a second vessel towing a second source array and a second plurality of streamers. The second vessel is configured to travel along a second coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a third vessel towing a third source array and a third plurality of streamers. The third vessel is configured to travel along a third coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may also include a fourth vessel towing a fourth source array and a fourth plurality of streamers. The fourth vessel is configured to travel along a fourth coil path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: 9857487
    Abstract: A marine seismic streamer comprising a solid, hydrophobic core member that is encased in a hydrophobic streamer skin/casing. The hydrophobic streamer skin may be extruded onto and/or heat welded to the hydrophobic core member. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane that includes fluorine and/or silicon moieties, silicon, polydimethylsiloxane or the like. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may reduce the drag of the streamer and may provide anti-biofouling properties to the streamer. A hydrophobic paint, coating or polymer may in some instances be disposed on top of the hydrophobic streamer skin/casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO LLC
    Inventors: Robert Seth Hartshorne, Anders Nesheim, Steven Antony Gahlings, Gary John Tustin
  • Patent number: 9857485
    Abstract: A marine survey acquisition system. The system may include a vessel for towing a marine survey spread. The marine survey spread may include streamers, marine vibrators and a cable. The cable may be coupled to a respective streamer from among the streamers and one of the marine vibrators. The cable may power the respective streamer and the one of the marine vibrators. The one of the marine vibrators may emit energy at a high frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Coste, Nicolas Goujon, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 9852373
    Abstract: A method can include receiving data associated with a geologic environment; based on at least a portion of the data, estimating relationships for multiple properties of the geologic environment; and based at least in part on the relationships, performing simultaneous joint inversion for at least one property of the geologic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michele De Stefano
  • Patent number: 9835749
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for acquiring seismic data using a seabed seismic data cable positioned on a seabed are described, including correcting for the effect of one or more sensor non-linear motions, which improves accuracy of seismic data. One or multiple non-linear movements of the sensor may be corrected for. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robbert J. De Kok, Nicolas Goujon, Leendert Combee, Aslaug Stroemmen Melboe
  • Patent number: 9829595
    Abstract: A technique includes disposing a particle motion sensor on a spread of at least one streamer and using the particle motion sensor to acquire a measurement of a signal, which is transmitted from an acoustic transmitter. The technique includes determining a heading of the particle motion sensor based at least in part on the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolas Goujon, Svein Arne Frivik
  • Patent number: 9766359
    Abstract: Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: 9759828
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving data acquired by a seismic sensor on a spread of at least one streamer. The data are indicative of a seismic source signature that is produced by a source seismic to penetrate into the Earth to acquire geophysical information in connection with a seismic survey. The technique includes processing the data to determine a position on the streamer relative to a reference position not disposed on the streamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Halvor Sehested Groenaas, Svein Arne Frivik
  • Patent number: 9759825
    Abstract: An apparatus includes particle motion sensors and a streamer that contains the particle motion sensors. The streamer is towed in connection with a seismic survey, and the towing of the streamer produces a turbulent flow. The streamer includes an inner cable and a fluid containing layer. The inner cable includes a material to circumscribe and extend along a longitudinal axis of the streamer and circumscribe at least one of the particle motion sensors. The fluid containing layer surrounds the inner cable to reduce noise that is otherwise sensed by the particle motion sensors due to the turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patrick Perciot, Lars Borgen, Oeyvind Teigen, Nicolas Goujon
  • Patent number: 9753163
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring marine seismic data to generate images or determine properties of an interior section of the Earth using simultaneous marine vibrator sweeps and methods for processing the acquired seismic data. Phase of sweeps produced by the marine vibrator(s) are controlled to provide for removal of crosstalk. The phases between marine vibrator sweeps may be random or controlled to have a predetermined/desired phase difference. The predetermined phases may be determined to minimize the crosstalk between sweeps based on known seismic velocity of the survey area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Patent number: 9753167
    Abstract: Rotation data and translational data are received. A calibration operator is determined based on the rotation data and translational data, where the calibration operator is useable to relatively calibrate the rotation data and the translation of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Pascal Edme, Everhard Johan Muyzert