Patents by Inventor Edwin Hodges

Edwin Hodges 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: 11899151
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to acquisition and imaging for marine surveys. In some embodiments, a transition survey that uses both one or more sources of a first type (e.g., impulsive sources) and one or more sources of a second type (e.g., vibratory sources) may facilitate calibration of prior surveys that use the first type of sources with subsequent surveys that use the second type of source. In some embodiments, the different types of sources may be operated simultaneously at approximately the same location. In some embodiments, signals generated by the sources are separated, e.g., using deconvolution. The signals may then be compared to generate difference information, which in turn may be used to adjust sensor measurements from a previous or subsequent survey. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques may improve accuracy in images of geological formations and may facilitate transitions to new types of seismic sources while maintaining continuity in 4D surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Edwin Hodges, Manuel Beitz
  • Publication number: 20230236332
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for performing a 4D monitor marine seismic survey that repeats a previous survey. A number of sources may be used during the 4D monitor survey that differs from a number of sources that were used during the previous survey. Shot points from the previous survey are repeated by the 4D monitor survey, and additional shot points may be produced during the 4D monitor survey that were not produced during the previous survey. Embodiments enable efficiency and data quality improvements to be captured during 4D survey processes, while preserving repeatability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Magnus Wangensteen, Christian Strand, Bertrand Caselitz, Edwin Hodges, Didier Lecerf
  • Patent number: 11662491
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for performing a 4D monitor marine seismic survey that repeats a previous survey. A number of sources may be used during the 4D monitor survey that differs from a number of sources that were used during the previous survey. Shot points from the previous survey are repeated by the 4D monitor survey, and additional shot points may be produced during the 4D monitor survey that were not produced during the previous survey. Embodiments enable efficiency and data quality improvements to be captured during 4D survey processes, while preserving repeatability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Magnus Wangensteen, Christian Strand, Bertrand Caselitz, Edwin Hodges, Didier Lecerf
  • Publication number: 20220091293
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for performing a 4D monitor marine seismic survey that repeats a previous survey. A number of sources may be used during the 4D monitor survey that differs from a number of sources that were used during the previous survey. Shot points from the previous survey are repeated by the 4D monitor survey, and additional shot points may be produced during the 4D monitor survey that were not produced during the previous survey. Embodiments enable efficiency and data quality improvements to be captured during 4D survey processes, while preserving repeatability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Magnus Wangensteen, Christian Strand, Bertrand Caselitz, Edwin Hodges, Didier Lecerf
  • Publication number: 20210349228
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to performing marine surveys according to dither values generated based on one or more dithering constraints. This may include for example, determining a set of nominal shot points for a marine seismic energy source and determining dither values for ones of the nominal shot points. In some embodiments, the dither values are randomly generated, subject to a duplication constraint such that at most a threshold number of dither differences between consecutive shot points that fall within discrete ranges. In some embodiments, actual shot points are determined for the planned sail line based on application of the determined dither values to the nominal shot points. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques may facilitate a separate de-blending procedure to separate signals from the marine seismic energy source and signals from one or more other seismic energy sources to be used for the seismic survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Strand, Edwin Hodges
  • Publication number: 20190187314
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to acquisition and imaging for marine surveys. In some embodiments, a transition survey that uses both one or more sources of a first type (e.g., impulsive sources) and one or more sources of a second type (e.g., vibratory sources) may facilitate calibration of prior surveys that use the first type of sources with subsequent surveys that use the second type of source. In some embodiments, the different types of sources may be operated simultaneously at approximately the same location. In some embodiments, signals generated by the sources are separated, e.g., using deconvolution. The signals may then be compared to generate difference information, which in turn may be used to adjust sensor measurements from a previous or subsequent survey. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques may improve accuracy in images of geological formations and may facilitate transitions to new types of seismic sources while maintaining continuity in 4D surveys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Edwin Hodges, Manuel Beitz