Patents by Inventor David John Howe

David John Howe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10809399
    Abstract: A method for use in vertical seismic profiling includes: independently and simultaneously shooting a plurality of seismic sources in a plurality of shooting areas to impart seismic signals into a water bottom: receiving reflections of the seismic signals from a subterranean formation beneath the water bottom at a plurality of seismic receivers; and recording the received reflections; wherein, one of the seismic sources and the seismic receivers are disposed in a wellbore in the water bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Lee Abma, Brian Hornby, David John Howe, John Naranjo, Min Zhou
  • Patent number: 9310498
    Abstract: Method of performing a 3-D seismic survey using a plurality of vibroseis sources, and an array of seismic sensors arranged within a survey area. Each vibroseis source emits a distinctive acoustic signal and each seismic sensor of the array is in a continuous state of readiness to detect reflected acoustic signals. The method includes assigning vibroseis points (VPs) to each vibroseis source, moving each vibroseis source to assigned VPs where the vibroseis source emits an acoustic signal, recording the emission time of the acoustic signal by each vibroseis source at its assigned VPs together with the geographic position of the assigned VPs, continuously listening for reflected acoustic signals using the seismic sensors and recording a time domain record of the reflected acoustic signals received by each seismic sensor. Reflected acoustic signals associated with emission of an acoustic signal by a vibroseis source at an assigned VP are then determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: David John Howe
  • Publication number: 20160018540
    Abstract: A method for use in vertical seismic profiling includes: independently and simultaneously shooting a plurality of seismic sources in a plurality of shooting areas to impart seismic signals into a water bottom: receiving reflections of the seismic signals from a subterranean formation beneath the water bottom at a plurality of seismic receivers; and recording the received reflections; wherein, one of the seismic sources and the seismic receivers are disposed in a wellbore in the water bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Lee Abma, Brian Hornby, David John Howe, John Naranjo, Min Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140140168
    Abstract: Method of performing a 3-D seismic survey using a plurality of vibroseis sources, and an array of seismic sensors arranged within a survey area. Each vibroseis source emits a distinctive acoustic signal and each seismic sensor of the array is in a continuous state of readiness to detect reflected acoustic signals. The method includes assigning vibroseis points (VPs) to each vibroseis source, moving each vibroseis source to assigned VPs where the vibroseis source emits an acoustic signal, recording the emission time of the acoustic signal by each vibroseis source at its assigned VPs together with the geographic position of the assigned VPs, continuously listening for reflected acoustic signals using the seismic sensors and recording a time domain record of the reflected acoustic signals received by each seismic sensor. Reflected acoustic signals associated with emission of an acoustic signal by a vibroseis source at an assigned VP are then determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: David John Howe
  • Publication number: 20110079461
    Abstract: A method of conducting a seismic survey comprising using at least one seismic source operable to emit an acoustic signal comprises: —providing a first receiver line extending in a first direction across a region of the ground to be surveyed; —locating at least one seismic receiver at a point on the first receiver line, the seismic i receiver(s) being adapted to record reflected acoustic signals emitted by the seismic source(s); —providing a first pre-determined shot line having a plurality of shot points along its length, extending in a second direction and along which the seismic source(s) is movable; —operating the or one of the seismic source(s) to emit an acoustic signal at a first shot point on the pre-determined shot line, the reflection of the acoustic signal being recorded by the or one of the seismic receiver(s); and —operating the or one of the seismic source(s) to emit another acoustic signal at a second shot point on the pre-determined shot line, the reflection of the another acoustic signal being
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Allen, Mark Stuart Foster, David John Howe
  • Publication number: 20090323472
    Abstract: A method of performing a 3-D seismic survey operation using (i) a plurality of vibroseis sources, and (ii) an array of seismic sensors arranged within a survey area wherein each vibroseis source emits a distinctive acoustic signal and each seismic sensor of the array is in a continuous state of readiness to detect reflected acoustic signals, the method comprising: (a) assigning vibroseis points (VPs) to each of the vibroseis sources; (b) independently moving each vibroseis source to assigned vibroseis point (VPs) where the vibroseis source emits its distinctive acoustic signal independently in time of the emission of the distinctive acoustic signals of the other vibroseis sources at their assigned vibroseis points (VPs); (c) recording the emission time of the distinctive acoustic signal by each vibroseis source at its assigned VPs together with the geographic position of the assigned VPs; (d) continuously listening for reflected acoustic signals using the array of seismic sensors and recording a time domain r
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: David John Howe