Patents by Inventor Harald Westerdahl

Harald Westerdahl 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: 11733418
    Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting compressional, P, waves propagating through the body of water includes locating one or more sensor systems in the water at or close to the subsurface region, using the or each sensor system to detect P waves in the water, and translating all or a portion of the data representing the detected P waves to a higher level above the subsurface region. In the method, the effects of S waves, propagating in the subsurface and converted at the water/subsurface interface into P waves propagating in the water or along the seabed interface, in the translated data is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson, Lasse Amundsen
  • Patent number: 11181654
    Abstract: A method of at least partially deghosting recorded seismic s-waves, wherein recorded seismic data is provided, wherein the recorded seismic data has been recorded at a receiver located beneath the Earth's surface, and wherein the recorded seismic data includes s-wave data. The method may include the steps of finding a model of the Earth's crust for use in deghosting the recorded seismic data using the s-wave data, wherein the model includes at least one region and wherein the model includes the Earth's surface and the location of the receiver, using the model to find a deghosting operator that, when applied to the s-wave data, at least partially deghosts the s-wave data, and applying the deghosting operator to the s-wave data to at least partially deghost the s-wave data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Ben King, Marit Stustad Guttormsen, Svend Østmo
  • Publication number: 20200088900
    Abstract: A method of at least partially deghosting recorded seismic s-waves, wherein recorded seismic data is provided, wherein said recorded seismic data has been recorded at a receiver (15) located beneath the Earth's surface (13), and wherein said recorded seismic data comprises s-wave data, the method comprising: finding (3) a model (10) of the Earth's crust for use in deghosting the recorded seismic data using the s-wave data, wherein the model comprises at least one region (11, 12, 16) and wherein the model comprises the Earth's surface (13) and the location of the receiver (15); using (4) said model (10) to find a deghosting operator that, when applied to the s-wave data, at least partially deghosts the s-wave data; and applying (5) the deghosting operator to the s-wave data to at least partially deghost the s-wave data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Ben KING, Marit Stustad GUTTORMSEN, Svend ØSTMO
  • Publication number: 20190271790
    Abstract: A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Peter HANSSEN, Per Magnus SPARREVIK, Stephen Walter HAYES, Klaus TRONSTAD
  • Patent number: 10386520
    Abstract: A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Peter Hanssen, Per Magnus Sparrevik, Stephen Walter Hayes, Klaus Tronstad
  • Publication number: 20190250297
    Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting compressional, P, waves propagating through the body of water includes locating one or more sensor systems in the water at or close to the subsurface region, using the or each sensor system to detect P waves in the water, and translating all or a portion of the data representing the detected P waves to a higher level above the subsurface region. In the method, the effects of S waves, propagating in the subsurface and converted at the water/subsurface interface into P waves propagating in the water or along the seabed interface, in the translated data is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Mark THOMPSON, Lasse AMUNDSEN
  • Patent number: 10365388
    Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting S waves propagating through the subsurface region. The method comprises using a first sensor configuration to detect mixed S and P waves on or in the subsurface region, using a second sensor configuration located on or in relatively close proximity to the subsurface region to detect P waves in the water, and using the P waves detected in the water to compensate the detected mixed S and P waves, and thereby attenuate the effects of P waves in the mixed S and P waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson, Lasse Amundsen
  • Publication number: 20170075008
    Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting S waves propagating through the subsurface region. The method comprises using a first sensor configuration to detect mixed S and P waves on or in the subsurface region, using a second sensor configuration located on or in relatively close proximity to the subsurface region to detect P waves in the water, and using the P waves detected in the water to compensate the detected mixed S and P waves, and thereby attenuate the effects of P waves in the mixed S and P waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Mark THOMPSON, Lasse AMUNDSEN
  • Publication number: 20170075014
    Abstract: A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Peter HANSSEN, Per Magnus SPARREVIK, Stephen Walter HAYES, Klaus TRONSTAD
  • Patent number: 9389323
    Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a marine seismic survey is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure water pressure, a horizontal derivative of the pressure in two orthogonal directions, vertical particle velocity or acceleration of the water, and a horizontal derivative of the vertical particle velocity or acceleration in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Lasse Amundsen, Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson
  • Patent number: 9081111
    Abstract: A method of providing seismic data (such as marine seismic data). A seismic source is actuated at a plurality of source locations (S2, S4). For each source location, a multicomponent seismic measurement is performed at least one receiver location (S3). A reconstructing method is applied to each multicomponent measurement to obtain additional data corresponding to source locations additional to the source locations at which the source was actuated (S5). The additional data are output and/or used (S6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Lasse Amundsen, Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140334256
    Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a marine seismic survey is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure water pressure, a horizontal derivative of the pressure in two orthogonal directions, vertical particle velocity or acceleration of the water, and a horizontal derivative of the vertical particle velocity or acceleration in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Lasse Amundsen, Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110242935
    Abstract: A method of providing seismic data (such as marine seismic data). A seismic source is actuated at a plurality of source locations (S2, S4). For each source location, a multicomponent seismic measurement is performed at least one receiver location (S3). A reconstructing method is applied to each multicomponent measurement to obtain additional data corresponding to source locations additional to the source locations at which the source was actuated (S5). The additional data are output and/or used (S6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Lasse Amundsen, Harald Westerdahl, Mark Thompson
  • Patent number: 7982465
    Abstract: A method for analyzing acquired electromagnetic measurements (R) made at or in a sea (4) over a seafloor (1) with rock formations (3) having relatively low resistivity (?3) for detecting a possibly underlying petroleum bearing reservoir formation (2) having relatively high resistivity (?2), wherein a low frequency electromagnetic transmitter (5) arranged in the sea (4) emits an electromagnetic field (P) propagating in the sea (4), in the rocks (3, 2) and in the air (0) above the sea; wherein electromagnetic sensors (6) are arranged with desired offsets (x) in the sea (4) for measuring the electromagnetic field (P(x)) while the field propagates, characterized in that one or more component of the electromagnetic field (P) is measured at least one large offset (xL) from the transmitter (5) where the field (P) essentially only has its origin from the field propagating as a field (P0) through the air (0); that the one or more components of the electromagnetic field (P) measured at the large offset (xL) is calculat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Multifield Geophysics AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Svein Erling Johnstad, Brian Anthony Farrelly
  • Publication number: 20090278541
    Abstract: A method for analysing acquired electromagnetic measurements (R) made at or in a sea (4) over a seafloor (1) with rock formations (3) having relatively low resistivity (?3) for detecting a possibly underlying petroleum bearing reservoir formation (2) having relatively high resistivity (?2), wherein a low frequency electromagnetic transmitter (5) arranged in the sea (4) emits an electromagnetic field (P) propagating in the sea (4), in the rocks (3, 2) and in the air (0) above the sea; wherein electromagnetic sensors (6) are arranged with desired offsets (x) in the sea (4) for measuring the electromagnetic field (P(x)) while the field propagates, characterized in that one or more component of the electromagnetic field (P) is measured at least one large offset (xL) from the transmitter (5) where the field (P) essentially only has its origin from the field propagating as a field (P0) through the air (0); that the one or more components of the electromagnetic field (P) measured at the large offset (xL) is calculat
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Multifield Geophysics AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Svein Erling Johnstad, Brian Anthony Farrelly
  • Publication number: 20090114473
    Abstract: A shear wave generator for use subsea, including an excitation unit that is fastened to a top plate; a skirt, the upper end of which is fastened sealingly to the top plate and extending downward to an open lower end of the skirt, such that the top plate and skirt form a closed space by lowering to the seabed; and a pump arranged with fluid communication between the space and the surroundings, such that by pumping water out of the space, an underpressure is formed acting to suck the shear wave generator fixedly to and partly into the seabed, and by pumping water into the space, an overpressure is formed acting to lift the shear wave generator up from the seabed. The shear wave generator is distinguished in that the skirt is formed with a larger outer diameter or width at its upper end than at its lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: NGI
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Per Sparrevik, Christian Madshus
  • Patent number: 7456632
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a high-resistivity reservoir rock formation (2) below one or more less resistive formations (3). The method includes transmitting an electromagnetic signal (S) propagating from near a seafloor or land surface (1) by means of an electromagnetic transmitter (5) powered by a voltage signal generator (G). The electromagnetic signal (S) propagates from the seafloor (1) and is guided along a conductive string (7) to the high-resistive formation (2), and propagates as a guided-wave electromagnetic signal (S2) at a relatively higher speed (V2) inside the high-resistivity formation (2) than a propagation speed (V3) in the less resistive formations (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Svein Erling Johnstad, Fan-Nian Kong, Harald Westerdahl
  • Patent number: 7453265
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the position of an oil/water contact (OWC, 22) between an oil-continuous fluid (2o) overlying a water-continuous fluid (2w) inside a casing pipe (7). The device includes a transmitter (5) for a generating an electromagnetic signal (ST) and the transmitter (5) is provided with electrical energy (GT) from a voltage signal generator (G). The transmitter (5) is arranged inside the casing pipe (7) in the oil-continuous fluid (2o) and above the oil-water contact (22). The electromagnetic wave signal (ST) partly propagates downwards from the transmitter (5), is partly reflected from the oil-water contact (22), and is partly reflected by the end of the casing, giving rise to an upward propagating, reflected electro-magnetic signal (SR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Norsk Hÿdro ASA
    Inventors: Svein Erling Johnstad, Fan-Nian Kong, Harald Westerdahl
  • Publication number: 20070040557
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the position of an oil/water contact (OWC, 22) between an oil-continuous fluid (2o) overlying a water-continuous fluid (2w) inside a casing pipe (7), comprising the following features: a transmitter (5) for a generating an electro-magnetic signal (ST), said transmitter (5) provided with electrical energy (GT) from a voltage signal generator (G); said transmitter (5) being arranged inside said oil-continuous fluid (2o) and being above said oil-water contact (22), and being inside said casing pipe (7); said electromagnetic wave signal (ST) for partly propagating downwards from said transmitter (5); said electromagnetic wave signal (ST) for being partly reflected from said oil-water contact (22), and partly reflected by the end of the casing, giving rise to an upward propagating, reflected electro-magnetic signal (SR); a sensor (6) for detecting said reflected electromagnetic signal (SR), said sensor (6) also arranged above said oil-water contact (22), providing a sensor signal (RR) to a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Svein Johnstad, Fan-Nian Kong, Harald Westerdahl
  • Patent number: 7145341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for detecting and recovering hydrocarbons located in a subterranean reservoir In some embodiments, an electromagnetic field is applied by a transmitter positioned on a seabed and detected by antenna also positioned on the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Electromagnetic Geoservices AS
    Inventors: Svein Ellingsrud, Terje Eidesmo, Fan-Nian Kong, Harald Westerdahl