Patents by Inventor Nicolae Moldoveanu

Nicolae Moldoveanu 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: 10281602
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring seismic streamer data is provided. Embodiments may include performing a marine seismic survey using an unmanned marine vessel having a power source configured to drive and provide propulsion to the unmanned marine vessel. Embodiments may further include acquiring one or more of long and ultra-long seismic survey data using a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled with the unmanned marine vessel and providing the seismic survey data as a reduced data set that includes long and ultra long offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Denes Vigh, Surrinder Kapoor, Sudhir Pai
  • Publication number: 20190107639
    Abstract: A marine seismic acquisition system includes a frame that includes a central longitudinal axis and members that define orthogonal planes that intersect along the central longitudinal axis; a data interface operatively coupled to the frame; hydrophones operatively coupled to the frame; a buoyancy engine operatively coupled to the frame where the buoyancy engine includes at least one mechanism that controls buoyancy of at least the frame, the hydrophones and the buoyancy engine; and at least one inertial motion sensor operatively coupled to the frame that generates frame orientation data, where the hydrophones, the buoyancy engine and the at least one inertial motion sensor are operatively coupled to the data interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: WesternGeco LLC
    Inventor: Nicolae Moldoveanu
  • Publication number: 20180306941
    Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned marine surface vessel connected to a three-dimensional array of sensors positioned are deployed in proximity with an obstruction area of a survey environment. The three-dimensional array of sensors positioned in proximity with the obstruction area of the survey environment records signals that are affected by a target structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Sudhir Pai
  • Patent number: 9869787
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer marine seismic data are described. One method and system comprises positioning a plurality of source-only tow vessels and one or more source-streamer tow vessels to acquire a wide- and/or full-azimuth seismic survey without need for the spread to repeat a path once traversed. Another method and system allows surveying a sub-sea geologic feature using a marine seismic spread, the spread smartly negotiating at least one turn during the surveying, and shooting and recording during the turn. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Alan Strudley
  • Patent number: 9857491
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine seismic acquisition system. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a first vessel towing a first source array and a first plurality of streamers. The first vessel is configured to travel along a first coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a second vessel towing a second source array and a second plurality of streamers. The second vessel is configured to travel along a second coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a third vessel towing a third source array and a third plurality of streamers. The third vessel is configured to travel along a third coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may also include a fourth vessel towing a fourth source array and a fourth plurality of streamers. The fourth vessel is configured to travel along a fourth coil path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: 9766359
    Abstract: Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20170205520
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring seismic streamer data is provided. Embodiments may include performing a marine seismic survey using an unmanned marine vessel having a power source configured to drive and provide propulsion to the unmanned marine vessel. Embodiments may further include acquiring one or more of long and ultra-long seismic survey data using a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled with the unmanned marine vessel and providing the seismic survey data as a reduced data set that includes long and ultra long offsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Nicolae MOLDOVEANU, Denes VIGH, Surrinder KAPOOR, Sudhir PAI
  • Patent number: 9703000
    Abstract: Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20170003408
    Abstract: A system includes an unmanned marine vessel having a hull; a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array coupled with the hull, wherein the multi-dimensional seismic sensor array is configured to acquire seismic survey data in multiple directions; wherein the unmanned marine vessel comprises a power source configured to drive and provide propulsion to the unmanned marine vessel; and an umbilical cord for coupling the multi-dimensional seismic sensor array with the hull of the unmanned marine vessel, wherein the umbilical provides electrical communication between the unmanned marine vessel and the multi-dimensional seismic sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Olav Lien, Sudhir Pai, Leendert Combee
  • Publication number: 20160327673
    Abstract: Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20160178775
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine seismic acquisition system. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a first vessel towing a first source array and a first plurality of streamers. The first vessel is configured to travel along a first coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a second vessel towing a second source array and a second plurality of streamers. The second vessel is configured to travel along a second coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may include a third vessel towing a third source array and a third plurality of streamers. The third vessel is configured to travel along a third coil path. The marine seismic acquisition system may also include a fourth vessel towing a fourth source array and a fourth plurality of streamers. The fourth vessel is configured to travel along a fourth coil path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20150260868
    Abstract: Methods and systems for survey designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of towing an array of marine streamers is disclosed, wherein: the array includes a plurality of receivers, the array includes a plurality of steering devices, and the array is towed along a first portion of a coil sail path; steering the array of marine streamers along two or more depths; and steering the array of marine streamers to a slant angle while maintaining the array of marine streamers at their respective two or more depths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy, Kevin J. Deal
  • Patent number: 9103942
    Abstract: Methods and systems for survey designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of towing an array of marine streamers is disclosed, wherein: the array includes a plurality of receivers, the array includes a plurality of steering devices, and the array is towed along a first portion of a coil sail path; steering the array of marine streamers along two or more depths; and steering the array of marine streamers to a slant angle while maintaining the array of marine streamers at their respective two or more depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy, Kevin J. Deal
  • Publication number: 20150043307
    Abstract: Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, STEVEN FEALY
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8908469
    Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Ian Hill, Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20140355379
    Abstract: Methods and systems for marine survey acquisition are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided that may deploy a marine seismic spread that includes a first seismic source, a second seismic source and a streamer with a receiver. The second source may be disposed at a distance from the first seismic source in an inline direction. The distance may be selected to produce one or more pairs of shot points during a seismic survey. The shot points within a pair may be disposed within a range that is used to calculate a pressure source gradient between the shot points within the pair. The method may shoot the first seismic source and the second seismic source substantially simultaneously. The method may record seismic data associated with shooting the first seismic source and the second seismic source. The method may calculate the pressure source gradient for respective pairs of shot points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, MASSIMILIANO VASSALLO, CLAUDIO BAGAINI
  • Publication number: 20140321237
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer marine seismic data are described. One method and system comprises positioning a plurality of source-only tow vessels and one or more source-streamer tow vessels to acquire a wide- and/or full-azimuth seismic survey without need for the spread to repeat a path once traversed. Another method and system allows surveying a sub-sea geologic feature using a marine seismic spread, the spread smartly negotiating at least one turn during the surveying, and shooting and recording during the turn. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Alan Strudley
  • Publication number: 20140278110
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product utilize global sensitivity analysis (GSA) based on variance decomposition to calculate and apportion the contributions to a total variance of a measurement signal from uncertain input parameters of a subsurface model in connection with designing targeted surveys. Through the use of global sensitivity analysis in this manner, the geometry for a survey may be determined based on a desired target of the design, e.g., based on spatial properties (e.g., reservoir zone of interest) and/or physical properties (e.g., porosity, fluid density, rock physics properties) to select locations (e.g., source-receiver pairs) with greater uncertainty contributions from parameter group(s) of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIKITA CHUGUNOV, TERIZHANDUR S. RAMAKRISHNAN, NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, AIMÉ FOURNIER, KONSTANTIN S. OSYPOV, YUSUF BILGIN ALTUNDAS
  • Patent number: RE45599
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes: moving a first air gun array in the water at a first depth and a second air gun array in the water at a second depth greater than the first depth, in which the total volume of the first air gun array is less than the total volume of the second air gun array, in which the first air gun array is separated from the second air gun array by a distance substantially equal to a shot point interval, firing seismic energy through the first and second air gun arrays through the water into the earth, and recording seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicolae Moldoveanu