Patents by Inventor Steven Fealy

Steven Fealy 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: 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
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 20140204709
    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: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, STEVEN FEALY
  • Patent number: 8681580
    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: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20130301384
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: DAVID IAN HILL, NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, STEVEN FEALY
  • Patent number: 8559265
    Abstract: A technique for use in marine seismic surveying includes a method and an apparatus. In one aspect, the method includes towing a seismic spread including a source multiple streamers on a generally curved advancing path, the streamers being actively steered. The source is fired and data is acquired on the curve. In other aspects, the method is performed with only a single vessel or the generally curved advancing path is a sincurve advancing path. The method may include a dual circular shoot in another aspect. And, in yet another aspect, the invention includes an apparatus comprised of a computing apparatus on board a tow vessel receiving positioning data from the marine seismic streamers. It is also programmed to: sail the tow vessel in a generally curved advancing path and actively steer the marine seismic streamers through the generally curved advancing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: 8488409
    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. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Ian Hill, Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20130107663
    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 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: NICOLAE MOLDOVEANU, STEVEN FEALY, KEVIN J. DEAL
  • Publication number: 20100142317
    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: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20090122640
    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. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: David Ian Hill, Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Publication number: 20080285381
    Abstract: A technique for use in marine seismic surveying includes a method and an apparatus. In one aspect, the method includes towing a seismic spread including a source multiple streamers on a generally curved advancing path, the streamers being actively steered. The source is fired and data is acquired on the curve. In other aspects, the method is performed with only a single vessel or the generally curved advancing path is a sincurve advancing path. The method may include a dual circular shoot in another aspect. And, in yet another aspect, the invention includes an apparatus comprised of a computing apparatus on board a tow vessel receiving positioning data from the marine seismic streamers. It is also programmed to: sail the tow vessel in a generally curved advancing path and actively steer the marine seismic streamers through the generally curved advancing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy