Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include quadrupole transmitters and methods to determine wave velocities of a downhole formation. In some embodiments, the quadrupole transmitter has a first piezoelectric ring and a second piezoelectric ring that alternatively contracts and expands in opposite radial directions relative to the first piezoelectric ring in response to being simultaneously excited with the first piezoelectric ring. The quadrupole transmitter also includes a covering sleeve surrounding exterior surfaces of the two piezoelectric rings. The quadrupole transmitter further includes a windowed sleeve surrounding the two piezoelectric rings and having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The first portion and the second portion are formed from multiple window sections and adjacent covered sections that are positioned around different sections of the piezoelectric rings to allow transmission of quadrupole acoustic signals when the piezoelectric rings are simultaneously excited.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a receiver through a medium from a transmitter, signals over an acoustic channel, where the receiving over the acoustic channel utilizes a high center frequency and provides for a high data rate, and where the medium is a fluid or a semi-solid medium. The device can receive power from the transmitter over the acoustic channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A seabed object detection system can include a source array and a data processing system. The source array can include a first source and a second source. The data processing system can include one or more processors. The data processing system can determine a first position of the first source and can identify a first firing time of the second source. The data processing system can initiate a first source shot of the first source at the first position and the second source at the first firing time. The data processing system can determine a target position and estimated position for the first source. The data processing system can determine a second position of the first source based on a difference between the target position and the estimated position. The data processing system can initiate a second source shot of the first source at the second position.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to geophysical surveying. In various embodiments, a marine survey vessel may tow a plurality of streamers that each include a plurality of seismic sensors. Further, the survey vessel may tow a plurality of vibratory sources. In various embodiments, a first sweep may be performed, using one or more of the plurality of vibratory sources, for a first time interval. Further, in various embodiments, disclosed techniques may include recording, during the first time interval using the plurality of seismic sensors, seismic data on a tangible, computer-readable medium, thereby creating a geophysical data product.

Abstract: A system for improving communication between surface and downhole equipment, in some embodiments, comprises: a first transceiver in a formation; a second transceiver in the formation; and a third transceiver in the formation, the second transceiver positioned between the first and third transceivers, wherein, upon determining that a communication quality metric pertaining to wireless communication in the formation fails to meet a criterion, the first transceiver transmits data to the second transceiver, wherein, upon determining that said communication quality metric meets the criterion, the first transceiver transmits said data to the third transceiver in lieu of transmitting said data to the second transceiver.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (100) includes a transducer array (102) with a plurality of transducer elements (106) configured to transmit an ultrasound signal, receive echo signals produced in response to the ultrasound signal interacting with structure, and generate electrical signals indicative of the echo signals. The system further includes a beamformer (112) configured to process the electrical signals and generate radio frequency data, an in-phase quadrature processor (114) configured to process the radio frequency data and generate in-phase quadrature data, and a frame processor (116) configured to envelope detect and log compress the in-phase quadrature data, producing compressed envelope data. The system further includes a time gain compensation controller (120) configured to continuously process the in-phase quadrature data and the compressed envelope data and continuously and automatically apply time gain compensation data to an envelope data image.

Abstract: Various downhole logging tools and methods of using and making the same are disclosed. In one aspect a method evaluating cement bond quality in a well is provided. In a well with a particular casing/tubing configuration, waveforms of acoustic energy returning from the tubing and the casing with the tubing present are recorded. A frequency spectrum from the recorded waveforms is determined. Amplitudes of the returning acoustic energy at one or more preselected frequency(s) of interest of a range of frequencies at which the amplitudes are noticeably affected by cement bond quality for the particular casing/tubing configuration are determined. The determined amplitudes are compared with one or more baseline amplitudes to look for indications of cement bond quality. Other aspects involve time domain analysis.

Abstract: An underwater sound source includes a cylindrical body having a front body portion, a rear body portion, a cylindrical piezo-ceramic ring transducer disposed therebetween, a flexible sleeve configured to cover an outer surface of the cylindrical piezo ceramic ring transducer, and a resonant pipe mounted to the cylindrical body and surrounding the cylindrical piezo-ceramic ring transducer. The resonant pipe is disposed around the cylindrical piezo-ceramic ring transducer, forming a gap between an inner surface of the resonant pipe and the outer surface of the cylindrical piezo-ceramic ring transducer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to geophysical surveying and data processing using streamers at different depths. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining geophysical data specific to a geophysical formation that includes a first set of data representative of a first particle motion signal and a first pressure signal recorded using sensors at a first depth and a second set of data representative of a second particle motion signal and a second pressure signal recorded using sensors at a second, greater depth. In this embodiment, the method includes generating first and second wave separation equations from the first and second sets of data and determining a cross-line wavenumber value that reconciles the first and second equations. The determined cross-line wavenumber may be used to separate measured up-going and down-going wavefields.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing an object, such as a seismic node or other external device, to a rope or cable includes a latch block and a latch member movably connected to the latch block for selective engagement with a coupling feature on the rope or cable. The latch block may be attached to or integrated with the object and can include opposing side members defining a channel extending through the latch block, the channel sized for selective receipt of the rope or cable therein. The latch member may selectively engage the coupling feature as the rope or cable is received in sliding engagement within the channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deploying seismic data acquisition units from a marine vessel are disclosed. The system can include a mechanical attachment device comprising a cavity formed by interlocking a first member and a second member. Protrusions located on the first member and second member can increase the coefficient of friction between a rope and the mechanical attachment device responsive to an increase in tension on the rope. A lanyard can couple a seismic data acquisition unit to the mechanical attachment device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a target in a venue is described. A backend controller activates transmitters in a venue to send burst signals using a double symmetry configuration formed of a plurality of separate transmitter groups. The backend controller activates the transmitters into a second, different configuration for bursting. The resulting location signal information from each configuration is obtained by the backend controller, which then more accurately determines the location of the target in the venue.

Abstract: An information processing device including an acquisition unit that acquires a sound collection result of a sound from each of one or more sound sources obtained by a sound collection portion of which positional information indicating at least one of a position and a direction is changed and an estimation unit that estimates a direction of each of the one or more sound sources on a basis of a change in a frequency of a sound collected by the sound collection portion in association with a change in the positional information of the sound collection portion.

Abstract: The method comprises flying at least a probe carrier flying vehicle above a dropping area on the ground, the probe carrier flying vehicle carrying probes and a launcher, configured to separate each probe from the probe carrier flying vehicle; activating the launcher to separate at least one of the probes from the probe carrier flying vehicle above the dropping area; falling of the probe from the flying vehicle in the ground of the dropping area; at least partial insertion of the probe in the ground of the dropping area. When the probe carrier flying vehicle is located above a target dropping area, before activating the launcher, the method comprises determining a vegetation information at the target dropping area using a flying vegetation detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of facilitating a seismic survey and locating seismic data acquisition units in a marine environment. The system can include a first seismic data acquisition unit. The first seismic data can include a cleat ring to couple the first seismic data acquisition with a second seismic data acquisition unit. The system can include a rope having a first end coupled to a first portion of the first seismic data acquisition unit and a second end coupled to a second portion of the first seismic data acquisition unit. The system can include a cavity formed by the cleat ring. The system can include a telltale component coupled to a portion of the rope. The rope and the telltale component can be stored in the cavity of the first seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: Methods of mapping a subterranean formation using imploding particles are described. In some cases, the particles contain a material that generated a gas which passes through a water-insoluble coating to create a void within the particle. In some aspects, the implosive particles have a coating that dissolves in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A gap measurement device for measuring a gap between an upper plate and a lower plate in a material formed of the upper plate and the lower plate that overlap with each other in the Z-axis direction, which is the thickness direction. The gap measurement device has an ultrasonic sensor that functions as a plate thickness measurement sensor for measuring a plate thickness that is the thickness of the upper plate, a laser sensor that functions as a step measurement sensor for measuring a step that is the distance between the upper surface of the upper plate and the upper surface of the lower plate, and a calculation unit for calculating the gap between the upper plate and lower plate by subtracting the plate thickness from the step.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering seismic data acquisition units to an ocean bottom are provided. A system includes an underwater vehicle including with sensors to determine environmental information. A control unit obtains, based on the environmental information and a policy, an indication to perform a fly-by deployment. The control unit sets an angle of a ramp with respect to a base of the underwater vehicle. The control unit identifies a launch event for a seismic data acquisition unit of a plurality of seismic data acquisition units stored in the underwater vehicle, and deploys the seismic data acquisition unit from the ramp towards the ocean bottom based on the identification of the launch event and the environmental information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to underwater seismic exploration with a helical conveyor and skid structure. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a sensor to identify a case having a hydrodynamic shape, wherein the case stores one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The underwater vehicle includes an arm. The underwater vehicle includes an actuator to position the arm in an open state above a cap of the case, or to close the arm. The underwater vehicle can move the arm to a bottom portion of the case opposite the cap. An opening of the case can be aligned with the conveyor of the underwater vehicle. The conveyor can receive, via the opening of the case, a first OBS unit of the one or more OBS units. The conveyor can move the first OBS unit to the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.