Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining marine seismic source configurations which produce a minimum error after the process of combining the wave fields to eliminate the responses of sources including the source ghost operated at multiple depths, without separating these wave fields, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes simulating, on a computer system, the performing of a seismic survey for one or more source configurations. An error term is calculated for each configuration simulated. Based on the calculated error terms, a configuration having the smallest error among those simulated may be determined.

Abstract: Wavefield separation methods and systems that adjust near-continuous pressure and particle motion wavefields based on distance moved along a vessel track by the sensors when the wavefields were measured are disclosed. Methods and systems correct for the motion of the receivers in towed streamer seismic data in order to obtain a wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations. Wavefield separation may then be applied to the wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations.

Abstract: In order to avoid complicated and unpredictable effects on the wavefields emitted by air guns activated at different times, methods and systems of the current disclosure are directed to computationally designing a sequence for activating subsets of air guns in a time distributed manner that minimizes the effects of air in the water surrounding the source. The sequence may be used with discrete and continuously recorded marine surveys.

Abstract: Systems and methods to correct source responses and perform source deghosting of a pressure or particle motion wavefield recorded using near-continuous recording of seismic data along a vessel track with generalize source activation times. The methods and systems receive a near-continuously recorded seismic data and generate a near-continuous wavefield for approximately stationary-receiver locations. Time windows of different temporal lengths are applied to traces of the near-continuous wavefield in approximately stationary-receiver locations in order to compute common-receiver gathers. The common-receiver gathers are corrected source wavefield response and source ghost effects and are combined in weighted sums to generate broadband seismic data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to testing of seismic air guns, for example via bubble tests. According to some embodiments of these techniques, a firing sequence for testing the air guns may be determined that reduces the amount of interaction between firings. Further, firing time delays may also be determined in order to further reduce the interactions. Accordingly, a test of an array of air guns may be completed relatively quickly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a seismic source to attenuate shot generated noise, or residual energy from previous activation of the source, in recorded seismic data are described. In one aspect, methods operate a single seismic source towed through a body of water along a survey track. As the survey vessel travels along the survey track, the source is activated at the end of randomly selected time delays, resulting in attenuation of shot generated noise. The method also attenuates other forms of coherent noise that align from shot to shot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging subterranean formations using primary and multiple reflections are described. An exploration-seismology vessel tows a seismic source, a receiver acquisition surface located beneath a free surface, and a source acquisition surface positioned at a depth below the source. The receiver acquisition surface is used to measure pressure and normal velocity wavefields and the source acquisition surface is used to measure direct, down-going, source pressure wavefields generated by the source. The down-going source pressure wavefields in combination with the down-going pressure wavefields and up-going pressure wavefields computed from the pressure and velocity wavefields are used to compute images of the subterranean formation associated with primary reflections and multiple reflections.

Abstract: In order to avoid complicated and unpredictable effects on the wavefields emitted by air guns activated at different times, methods and systems of the current disclosure are directed to computationally designing a sequence for activating subsets of air guns in a time distributed manner that minimizes the effects of air in the water surrounding the source. The sequence may be used with discrete and continuously recorded marine surveys.

Abstract: Wavefield separation methods and systems that adjust near-continuous pressure and particle motion wavefields based on distance moved along a vessel track by the sensors when the wavefields were measured are disclosed. Methods and systems correct for the motion of the receivers in towed streamer seismic data in order to obtain a wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations. Wavefield separation may then be applied to the wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods to correct source responses and perform source deghosting of a pressure or particle motion wavefield recorded using near-continuous recording of seismic data along a vessel track with generalize source activation times. The methods and systems receive a near-continuously recorded seismic data and generate a near-continuous wavefield for approximately stationary-receiver locations. Time windows of different temporal lengths are applied to traces of the near-continuous wavefield in approximately stationary-receiver locations in order to compute common-receiver gathers. The common-receiver gathers are corrected source wavefield response and source ghost effects and are combined in weighted sums to generate broadband seismic data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to testing of seismic air guns, for example via bubble tests. According to some embodiments of these techniques, a firing sequence for testing the air guns may be determined that reduces the amount of interaction between firings. Further, firing time delays may also be determined in order to further reduce the interactions. Accordingly, a test of an array of air guns may be completed relatively quickly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a seismic source to attenuate shot generated noise, or residual energy from previous activation of the source, in recorded seismic data are described. In one aspect, methods operate a single seismic source towed through a body of water along a survey track. As the survey vessel travels along the survey track, the source is activated at the end of randomly selected time delays, resulting in attenuation of shot generated noise. The method also attenuates other forms of coherent noise that align from shot to shot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining marine seismic source configurations which produce a minimum error after the process of combining the wave fields to eliminate the responses of sources including the source ghost operated at multiple depths, without separating these wave fields, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes simulating, on a computer system, the performing of a seismic survey for one or more source configurations. An error term is calculated for each configuration simulated. Based on the calculated error terms, a configuration having the smallest error among those simulated may be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging subterranean formations using primary and multiple reflections are described. An exploration-seismology vessel tows a seismic source, a receiver acquisition surface located beneath a free surface, and a source acquisition surface positioned at a depth below the source. The receiver acquisition surface is used to measure pressure and normal velocity wavefields and the source acquisition surface is used to measure direct, down-going, source pressure wavefields generated by the source. The down-going source pressure wavefields in combination with the down-going pressure wavefields and up-going pressure wavefields computed from the pressure and velocity wavefields are used to compute images of the subterranean formation associated with primary reflections and multiple reflections.