Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Welker

Kenneth E. Welker 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: 10281605
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein are directed to a method that includes deploying a plurality of wave gliders in a seismic survey area, where the plurality of wave gliders has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for acquiring seismic data. The method may also include deploying at least one source vessel in the seismic survey area, where the at least one source vessel has one or more sources coupled thereto and a central communication unit disposed thereon. The method may then include positioning the plurality of wave gliders according to an initial navigation plan. The method may further include monitoring a relative position of a respective wave glider in the plurality of wave gliders with respect to other wave gliders in the plurality of wave gliders and with respect to the at least one source vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 10191170
    Abstract: A seismic acquisition system. The seismic acquisition system may include at least one unmanned water vehicle. The seismic acquisition system may also include at least one seismic streamer coupled to the at least one unmanned water vehicle, where the at least one seismic streamer has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for recording seismic data in a survey area. The seismic acquisition system may further include a buoyancy compensation mechanism coupled to the at least one seismic streamer, where the buoyancy compensation mechanism is configured to orient the at least one seismic streamer between a generally vertical direction and a generally horizontal direction through a water column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muijzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 9575198
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the use of a self-propelled underwater vehicle for seismic data acquisition. The self-propelled underwater vehicle is adapted to gather seismic data from the seafloor and transmit such data to a control vessel. The self-propelled underwater vehicle may be redeployed to several seafloor locations during a seismic survey. Methods for real-time modeling of a target zone and redeployment of the self-propelled underwater vehicle based on the modeling are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Julian Edward Kragh
  • Publication number: 20160356908
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein are directed to a method that includes deploying a plurality of wave gliders in a seismic survey area, where the plurality of wave gliders has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for acquiring seismic data. The method may also include deploying at least one source vessel in the seismic survey area, where the at least one source vessel has one or more sources coupled thereto and a central communication unit disposed thereon. The method may then include positioning the plurality of wave gliders according to an initial navigation plan. The method may further include monitoring a relative position of a respective wave glider in the plurality of wave gliders with respect to other wave gliders in the plurality of wave gliders and with respect to the at least one source vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: EVERHARD MUYZERT, KENNETH E. WELKER
  • Patent number: 9423522
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein are directed to a method that includes deploying a plurality of wave gliders in a seismic survey area, where the plurality of wave gliders has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for acquiring seismic data. The method may also include deploying at least one source vessel in the seismic survey area, where the at least one source vessel has one or more sources coupled thereto and a central communication unit disposed thereon. The method may then include positioning the plurality of wave gliders according to an initial navigation plan. The method may further include monitoring a relative position of a respective wave glider in the plurality of wave gliders with respect to other wave gliders in the plurality of wave gliders and with respect to the at least one source vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 9400338
    Abstract: A system includes a seismic acquisition system that includes a plurality of nodes and further includes an unmanned airborne vehicle. The unmanned airborne vehicle is to be used with the seismic acquisition system to conduct a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Coste, Kenneth E. Welker, Guillaume Daniel Tamboise
  • Patent number: 9366774
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining data indicative of images of a marine seismic source event, which are acquired by underwater cameras and processing the data to determine an attribute (a seismic bubble volume or motion, as non-limiting examples) that is associated with the seismic source event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Ottar Kristiansen
  • Patent number: 9217805
    Abstract: A technique includes acquiring particle motion data from a plurality of particle motion sensors while in tow during a seismic survey. During the seismic survey, the particle motion data are processed without deghosting the particle motion data to determine whether at least some portion of the particle motion data is inadequate for an application that relies on the particle motion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Espen Gulbransen
  • Patent number: 9207348
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention concerns a probe that couples to a seismic vessel via a tow cable. When deploying probes from a seismic vessel that is towing source arrays and streamers, the probe and its tow cable can tangle with elements of the towed seismic spread. However, a cable guide may be used to lessen the risk for such entanglement by guiding the tow cable into the water at a distance removed from the seismic spread. Also, the probe may be steerable to steer the probe and tow cable away from the seismic spread. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Ulrich Hemmerle, Ottar Kristiansen, Morten Svendsen, Julian Edward (Ed) Kragh
  • Patent number: 9207347
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining a plurality of sets of measurements of distances between nodes located on a seismic spread element while the element is in tow. Each set is acquired in response to the operation of a different set of sources. The technique includes determining a three-dimensional structure of the seismic spread element while in tow based at least in part on the sets of measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Svein Arne Frivik, Halvor Groenaas, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 9140814
    Abstract: A technique facilitates the use of seismic data. The technique utilizes an autonomous underwater vehicle to obtain data on water column characteristics in a seismic survey area. The data can be used to adjust aspects of the seismic survey data and/or the seismic survey technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Ottar Kristiansen, Morten Svendsen, Julian Edward Kragh
  • Publication number: 20150241588
    Abstract: Measurement data acquired by at least one sensor in a cable structure towed through a body of water is received. A torsional vibration noise component in the measurement data is estimated. The torsional vibration noise component is used to estimate a rotation angle of the at least one survey sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system of the cable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Nicolas Goujon, Oeyvind Teigen, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Patent number: 9052412
    Abstract: Measurement data acquired by at least one sensor in a cable structure towed through a body of water is received. A torsional vibration noise component in the measurement data is estimated. The torsional vibration noise component is used to estimate a rotation angle of the at least one survey sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system of the cable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Nicolas Goujon, Oeyvind Teigen, Kenneth E. Welker
  • Publication number: 20140362661
    Abstract: A technique includes a technique includes providing a plurality of acquisition components for performing a survey of a geologic region of interest, where the plurality of acquisition components comprising receivers and at least one source. The technique includes using at least one marine unmanned vehicle to position at least one of the receivers in the survey; and deploying at least at one of the acquisition components in a well or on land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: EVERHARD JOHAN MUIJZERT, OLAV LIEN, KENNETH E. WELKER, SUDHIR PAI, HENRY MENKITI, NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, IAIN COOPER
  • Publication number: 20140301163
    Abstract: A method of acoustic positioning determination includes detecting a temperature gradient profile across a depth of water, determining a level of a thermal boundary between an upper temperature level and a lower temperature level, and determining a distance from the thermal boundary to position the acoustic positioning device and positioning the acoustic positioning device at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Welker
  • Publication number: 20140269171
    Abstract: A method of performing a marine survey is provided. The method may include deploying, into a body of water, a towable streamer including one or more sensors for performing a subterranean survey. The method may also include receiving, from the sensors, information relating to the subterranean survey at a data storage device housed within a portion of the towable streamer. The method may also include storing the information within the data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Westerngeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: KENNETH E. WELKER
  • Publication number: 20140254308
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to identifying reflected acoustic signals. In one implementation, a method may include receiving initial positions of an acoustic positioning source and an acoustic positioning receiver of an acoustic positioning system in a seismic spread. The method may also include calculating an expected travel difference between the acoustic positioning source and the acoustic positioning receiver. The method may further include receiving an acoustic positioning signal from the acoustic positioning receiver. The method may additionally include calculating an actual travel difference between the acoustic positioning source and the acoustic positioning receiver based on the acoustic positioning signal. The method may further include comparing the actual travel difference to the expected travel difference. The method may also include identifying whether the acoustic positioning signal is a reflected positioning signal based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: KENNETH E. WELKER
  • Publication number: 20140204708
    Abstract: A seismic acquisition system. The seismic acquisition system may include at least one unmanned water vehicle. The seismic acquisition system may also include at least one seismic streamer coupled to the at least one unmanned water vehicle, where the at least one seismic streamer has one or more seismic sensors coupled thereto for recording seismic data in a survey area. The seismic acquisition system may further include a buoyancy compensation mechanism coupled to the at least one seismic streamer, where the buoyancy compensation mechanism is configured to orient the at least one seismic streamer between a generally vertical direction and a generally horizontal direction through a water column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: EVERHARD MUIJZERT, KENNETH E. WELKER
  • Publication number: 20140198610
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the use of a self-propelled underwater vehicle for seismic data acquisition. The self-propelled underwater vehicle is adapted to gather seismic data from the seafloor and transmit such data to a control vessel. The self-propelled underwater vehicle may be redeployed to several seafloor locations during a seismic survey. Methods for real-time modeling of a target zone and redeployment of the self-propelled underwater vehicle based on the modeling are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: KENNETH E. WELKER, JULIAN EDWARD KRAGH
  • Publication number: 20140198609
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the use of a self-propelled underwater vehicle for seismic data acquisition. The self-propelled underwater vehicle is adapted to gather seismic data from the seafloor and transmit such data to a control vessel. The self-propelled underwater vehicle may be redeployed to several seafloor locations during a seismic survey. Methods for real-time modeling of a target zone and redeployment of the self-propelled underwater vehicle based on the modeling are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: KENNETH E. WELKER, JULIAN EDWARD KRAGH