Abstract: A method for selecting a signal arrival for determining an accurate position of seismic equipment includes the steps of transmitting a signal from a pinger; predicting a direct arrival and a reflected arrival of the signal at a receiver, wherein each arrival is the time between the transmission of the signal to reception of the signal; measuring arrivals of the signal at the receiver; selecting the measured signal arrival that is similar to the predicted direct arrival as a preliminary signal arrival; defining a confidence interval for the actual direct arrival of the signal based on the predicted direct arrival and the predicted reflected arrival; and finalizing the signal arrival, wherein the selected preliminary signal arrival is the finalized signal arrival if it is within the confidence interval.

Abstract: A multi-component field source for surveying subsea formations includes at least two electrodes having a direction of motion, wherein the at least two electrodes are configured to produce an electric dipole in an orientation that is not parallel to both the direction of motion of the electrodes and the seafloor. A method for logging subsea formations includes transmitting electromagnetic energy into the subsea formations with at least two electrodes having a direction of motion and configured to produce an electric dipole in an orientation that is not parallel to both the direction of motion of the electrodes and the seafloor; and receiving signals that comprise electromagnetic energy that has traversed the subsea formations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acquiring seismic data using a seabed seismic data cable positioned on a seabed are described, one method including deploying a seabed seismic cable, the cable comprising two or more active sections separated by at least one jumper section; and acquiring seabed seismic data using the seabed seismic cable. Certain methods include analyzing spacing needed between active sensor units in the active sections prior to deploying the seabed seismic cable, and selecting a length of the jumper section based on the analysis. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acquiring seismic data using a seabed seismic data cable positioned on a seabed are described, one method including deploying a seabed seismic cable, the cable comprising two or more active sections separated by at least one jumper section; and acquiring seabed seismic data using the seabed seismic cable. Certain methods include analyzing spacing needed between active sensor units in the active sections prior to deploying the seabed seismic cable, and selecting a length of the jumper section based on the analysis. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for acquiring seismic data using a seabed seismic data cable positioned on a seabed are described, including correcting for the effect of one or more sensor non-linear motions, which improves accuracy of seismic data. One or multiple non-linear movements of the sensor may be corrected for. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning seismic streamers are disclosed that enable two or more streamers to be positioned in over/under configuration. One system comprises first and second pluralities of remotely controllable birds mounted on or inline in first and second streamers, the birds functioning to control position of the streamers relative to each other, to another pair of streamers, or to some reference. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reducing the effect of a rough sea ghost reflection in marine seismic data. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: providing one or a plurality of pressure sensors sensitive to frequencies below about 1 Hz;—using said sensor(s) to receive and acquire pressure data in a frequency band comprised between about 0.03 and about 1 Hz;—recording said data; and—processing said data to provide information about the sea-height above the or each sensor. The or each sensor may be a seismic sensor that can acquire seismic data substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the pressure data in a frequency band between about 0.03 and about 1 Hz.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and processing seismic data including: acquiring digitized seismic data associated with a plurality of moving receiver points using a plurality of seismic sensors; attenuating noise in the moving receiver point based digitized seismic data using digitized seismic data associated with a plurality of nearby receiver points; transforming noise attenuated moving receiver point based digitized seismic data into stationary receiver point based digitized seismic data; and recording noise attenuated and transformed digitized seismic data associated with stationary receiver points having an average spatial separation interval at least twice the average moving receiver point spatial separation interval. This method is particularly effective at attenuating coherent low frequency noise and correcting for the receiver motion effect in marine seismic data.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing received seismic signals which are received from a plurality of seismic sensors in response to operation of an acoustic source during a marine seismic survey. The seismic sensors are located at different offsets from the acoustic source. The method comprises the steps of selecting a time window within a particular seismic signal which frames a relatively well-defined event represented in the signal. The particular seismic signal is received from a particular seismic sensor. The method further comprises determining a receiver ghost notch frequency from an amplitude/frequency spectrum of the seismic signal in the window and deriving from the receiver ghost notch frequency an estimate of a height of a water column above the particular seismic sensor which generated said particular seismic signal.