Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for acquiring and processing marine seismic data are disclosed that correct source movement during inversion. By correcting source movement during inversion, multiple data sets may be acquired independently during overlapping time periods thus reducing the number of sweeps required, generating greater amounts of data, and simplifying data processing.

Abstract: Seismic systems and methods are provided to collect variable seismic data, for coordinating source energy and receiver data as well as using both to obtain high resolution seismic data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seismic acquisition process where multiple seismic sources are used to acquire seismic energy using encoding so that all of the sources may deliver seismic energy at the same time where the sweeps are arranged to be back to back with no listen time and wherein a pseudo listen time that is uncontaminated is created in the composite data record. After the listen time is created, the composite data may be source separated for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for two separate seismic crews to work in proximity to one another that would otherwise require expensive time sharing where one crew is a conventional seismic acquisition system and the other is a phase encoded seismic acquisition system. Typically, each recording system would receive seismic energy from the other that neither data set would be very useful. The invention primarily envisions some collaboration between the crews where each adjusts its sweeps to comprise a different time duration so that the energy the other crew's sources are distinguishable in the data set and easily eliminated therefrom. Distinctions may be further enhanced when the two crews use construct their sweeps so that each crew has a distinctly different start frequency and a distinctly different end frequency.

Abstract: A method and system of operating single vibrator source points for seismic data acquisition includes acquiring real-time field survey locations for a first plurality of seismic vibrators, determining at least one geometrical relationship between each of the first plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations, selecting a second plurality of seismic vibrators from the first plurality of vibrators as a function of the at least one geometrical relationship, selecting source parameter data for the second plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations and driving the second plurality of seismic vibrators to propagate seismic energy into the earth. A third plurality of vibrators is selected based on geometrical relationships and associated source parameters are determined based on vibrator locations. Multiple vibrator groups may acquire data continuously without interruption.

Abstract: A method and system of operating single vibrator source points for seismic data acquisition includes acquiring real-time field survey locations for a first plurality of seismic vibrators, determining at least one geometrical relationship between each of the first plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations, selecting a second plurality of seismic vibrators from the first plurality of vibrators as a function of the at least one geometrical relationship, selecting source parameter data for the second plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations and driving the second plurality of seismic vibrators to propagate seismic energy into the earth. A third plurality of vibrators is selected based on geometrical relationships and associated source parameters are determined based on vibrator locations. Multiple vibrator groups may acquire data continuously without interruption.

Abstract: An adaptive signal separation is provided that isolates signal data and listening data from multiple continuous overlapping seismic signals.

Abstract: Seismic systems and methods are provided to collect variable seismic data, for coordinating source energy and receiver data as well as using both to obtain high resolution seismic data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-inversion noise attenuation of seismic data. The method can generally comprise: (a) acquiring seismic data including receiver data corresponding to vibratory signals simultaneously generated by the multiple sources and detected by at least one of the receivers at a location remote from the sources and source data corresponding to the vibratory signals detected at a location in proximity to the sources; (b) attenuating noise present within at least a portion of the receiver data to generate corrected receiver data; and (c) inverting the corrected receiver data with the source data to separate the vibratory signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing interference between seismic systems. The method may generally include: (a) actuating a plurality of first sources associated with a first seismic system to generate a first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals; (b) actuating a plurality of second sources associated with a second seismic system to generate a second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals that are at least partially frequency separated from the first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals generated in (a); and (c) detecting the first and second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals utilizing a first receiver positioned at a location remote from the first and second sources.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for acquiring and processing marine seismic data are disclosed that correct source movement during inversion. By correcting source movement during inversion, multiple data sets may be acquired independently during overlapping time periods thus reducing the number of sweeps required, generating greater amounts of data, and simplifying data processing.

Abstract: Methods for improving the range and resolution of simultaneous multiple vibratory source seismic system including ZENSEIS™ are provided.

Abstract: A method of conducting multiple source, multiple signal seismic surveys in a marine environment are provided.

Abstract: A method and system of operating single vibrator source points for seismic data acquisition includes acquiring real-time field survey locations for a first plurality of seismic vibrators, determining at least one geometrical relationship between each of the first plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations, selecting a second plurality of seismic vibrators from the first plurality of vibrators as a function of the at least one geometrical relationship, selecting source parameter data for the second plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations and driving the second plurality of seismic vibrators to propagate seismic energy into the earth. A third plurality of vibrators is selected based on geometrical relationships and associated source parameters are determined based on vibrator locations. Multiple vibrator groups may acquire data continuously without interruption.

Abstract: A method and system of operating single vibrator source points for seismic data acquisition includes acquiring real-time field survey locations for a first plurality of seismic vibrators, determining at least one geometrical relationship between each of the first plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations, selecting a second plurality of seismic vibrators from the first plurality of vibrators as a function of the at least one geometrical relationship, selecting source parameter data for the second plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations and driving the second plurality of seismic vibrators to propagate seismic energy into the earth. A third plurality of vibrators is selected based on geometrical relationships and associated source parameters are determined based on vibrator locations. Multiple vibrator groups may acquire data continuously without interruption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing interference between seismic systems. The method may generally include: (a) actuating a plurality of first sources associated with a first seismic system to generate a first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals; (b) actuating a plurality of second sources associated with a second seismic system to generate a second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals that are at least partially frequency separated from the first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals generated in (a); and (c) detecting the first and second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals utilizing a first receiver positioned at a location remote from the first and second sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-inversion noise attenuation of seismic data. The method can generally comprise: (a) acquiring seismic data including receiver data corresponding to vibratory signals simultaneously generated by the multiple sources and detected by at least one of the receivers at a location remote from the sources and source data corresponding to the vibratory signals detected at a location in proximity to the sources; (b) attenuating noise present within at least a portion of the receiver data to generate corrected receiver data; and (c) inverting the corrected receiver data with the source data to separate the vibratory signals.

Abstract: A method and system of operating single vibrator source points for seismic data acquisition includes acquiring real-time field survey locations for a first plurality of seismic vibrators, determining at least one geometrical relationship between each of the first plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations, selecting a second plurality of seismic vibrators from the first plurality of vibrators as a function of the at least one geometrical relationship, selecting source parameter data for the second plurality of seismic vibrators as a function of the field survey locations and driving the second plurality of seismic vibrators to propagate seismic energy into the earth. A third plurality of vibrators is selected based on geometrical relationships and associated source parameters are determined based on vibrator locations. Multiple vibrator groups may acquire data continuously without interruption.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of determining whether a particular high fidelity vibratory seismic survey phase encoding is likely to be a good one based on an analysis of the eigenvalue structure (i.e., eigenvalues, eigenvalue separation, condition number, and model resolution matrix) of a matrix formed from the Fourier transforms of the sweep signals. Preferably, a singular value decomposition will be used to calculate the eigenvalues. Using this same approach, the condition number and eigenvalues of matrices that are associated with multiple proposed designs can be compared with each other to determine which is likely to be yield the best seismic data. This approach is preferably used either as a component of the advanced planning for a survey or in the field during pre-survey testing. The use of the instant approach to determine an optimal phase encoding scheme is also taught.