Patents by Inventor William H. Dragoset

William H. Dragoset 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: 10288754
    Abstract: A method for removing seismic noise from an input seismic trace. The method may receive the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more noise references for the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more filters corresponding to the noise references. The method may apply a nonlinear function to the input seismic trace and to the one or more noise references to produce respective output signals for the input seismic trace and for the one or more noise references. The nonlinear function may be capable of determining higher-order statistics. The method may update the filters based on increasing one or more information attributes of the output signals to a predetermined threshold. The method may then filter noise corresponding to the noise references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kuang-Hung Liu, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9581711
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting interbed multiples is described herein. Trace geometries may be generated for one or more desired shot-side traces, one or more desired receiver-side traces, and one or more desired interbed multiple generator traces, for a first target trace. A first set of reflections at the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired interbed multiple generator traces. A second set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired shot-side traces. A third set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired receiver-side traces. The interbed multiples for the first target trace may be estimated based on the first set, the second set, and the third set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Paolo Terenghi, William H. Dragoset, Jr., Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 9151856
    Abstract: A method for processing seismic data. The method may include receiving seismic data due to a plurality of seismic sources and applying a first operator to the seismic data to generate a first estimate of seismic data. The method may then include applying a second operator to the first estimate of seismic data to generate residual seismic data due to one or more seismic sources. The method may determine a second estimate of seismic data based on the first estimate and the residual seismic data. The method may then process the second estimate of seismic data due to each seismic source to determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits in a subterranean area of the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Craig J. Beasley, William H. Dragoset, Jr., Antoun Salama
  • Publication number: 20150066375
    Abstract: A method for removing seismic noise from an input seismic trace. The method may receive the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more noise references for the input seismic trace. The method may receive one or more filters corresponding to the noise references. The method may apply a nonlinear function to the input seismic trace and to the one or more noise references to produce respective output signals for the input seismic trace and for the one or more noise references. The nonlinear function may be capable of determining higher-order statistics. The method may update the filters based on increasing one or more information attributes of the output signals to a predetermined threshold. The method may then filter noise corresponding to the noise references.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kuang-Hung Liu, William H. Dragoset, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130245955
    Abstract: A method for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data acquired in a survey area. The method includes selecting a target trace and identifying two or more desired traces for multiple prediction based on the target trace. After identifying the desired traces, the method identifies one or more recorded traces for each desired trace. Each identified recorded trace is described as being substantially close to one of the desired traces. The method then includes correcting the identified recorded traces for one or more geometry-related effects associated with the survey area and convolving the corrected recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions. After convolving the corrected recorded traces, the method then stacks the convolutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: WILLIAM H. DRAGOSET, JR., IAN MOORE
  • Patent number: 8437218
    Abstract: A method for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data acquired in a survey area. The method includes selecting a target trace and identifying two or more desired traces for multiple prediction based on the target trace. After identifying the desired traces, the method identifies one or more recorded traces for each desired trace. Each identified recorded trace is described as being substantially close to one of the desired traces. The method then includes correcting the identified recorded traces for one or more geometry-related effects associated with the survey area and convolving the corrected recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions. After convolving the corrected recorded traces, the method then stacks the convolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
    Inventors: William H. Dragoset, Jr., Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8395966
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining seismic data acquired by seismic sensors of a composite seismic signal that is produced by the firings of multiple seismic sources. The technique includes modeling the seismic data as being a function of models for the sources and linear operators and defining desired constraints on the models. The technique includes simultaneously determining the models based on the modeling and the desired constraints. The datasets are generated based on the determined models. Each dataset is indicative of a component of the composite seismic signal and is attributable to a different one of the seismic sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ian Moore, Craig J. Beasley, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120209530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting interbed multiples is described herein. Trace geometries may be generated for one or more desired shot-side traces, one or more desired receiver-side traces, and one or more desired interbed multiple generator traces, for a first target trace. A first set of reflections at the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired interbed multiple generator traces. A second set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired shot-side traces. A third set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired receiver-side traces. The interbed multiples for the first target trace may be estimated based on the first set, the second set, and the third set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: PAOLO TERENGHI, WILLIAM H. DRAGOSET, JR., IAN MOORE
  • Publication number: 20120155218
    Abstract: A method for processing seismic data. The method may include receiving seismic data due to a plurality of seismic sources and applying a first operator to the seismic data in an ith domain to generate a first estimate of seismic data due to an ith seismic source. The ith domain may correspond to the ith seismic source of the plurality of seismic sources. The method may then include applying a second operator to the first estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source in one or more domains other than the ith domain to generate residual seismic data due to one or more seismic sources other than the ith seismic source. After applying the a second operator to the first estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source, the method may determine a second estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source based on the first estimate and the residual seismic data due to the seismic sources other than the ith seismic source. The method may then repeat some of the steps described above (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Craig J. Beasley, William H. Dragoset, JR., Antoun Salama
  • Patent number: 8164978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting interbed multiples is described herein. Trace geometries may be generated for one or more desired shot-side traces, one or more desired receiver-side traces, and one or more desired interbed multiple generator traces, for a first target trace. A first set of reflections at the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired interbed multiple generator traces. A second set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired shot-side traces. A third set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired receiver-side traces. The interbed multiples for the first target trace may be estimated based on the first set, the second set, and the third set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Paolo Terenghi, William H. Dragoset, Jr., Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20110317521
    Abstract: A method for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data acquired in a survey area. The method includes selecting a target trace and identifying two or more desired traces for multiple prediction based on the target trace. After identifying the desired traces, the method identifies one or more recorded traces for each desired trace. Each identified recorded trace is described as being substantially close to one of the desired traces. The method then includes correcting the identified recorded traces for one or more geometry-related effects associated with the survey area and convolving the corrected recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions. After convolving the corrected recorded traces, the method then stacks the convolutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: William H. Dragoset, JR., Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20100271904
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining seismic data acquired by seismic sensors of a composite seismic signal that is produced by the firings of multiple seismic sources. The technique includes modeling the seismic data as being a function of models for the sources and linear operators and defining desired constraints on the models. The technique includes simultaneously determining the models based on the modeling and the desired constraints. The datasets are generated based on the determined models. Each dataset is indicative of a component of the composite seismic signal and is attributable to a different one of the seismic sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Ian Moore, Craig J. Beasley, William H. Dragoset, JR.
  • Patent number: 7796467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes creating a file containing information regarding a plurality of pairs of recorded traces. Each pair of recorded traces is substantially closest to a desired shot-side trace and a desired receiver-side trace. The method further includes convolving the pairs of recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions and stacking the convolutions for each target trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Bisley, Ian Moore, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100074052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting interbed multiples is described herein. Trace geometries may be generated for one or more desired shot-side traces, one or more desired receiver-side traces, and one or more desired interbed multiple generator traces, for a first target trace. A first set of reflections at the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired interbed multiple generator traces. A second set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired shot-side traces. A third set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired receiver-side traces. The interbed multiples for the first target trace may be estimated based on the first set, the second set, and the third set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Terenghi, William H. Dragoset, JR., Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 7672192
    Abstract: Method for computing one or more timing errors that occur in one or more multiples predicted by a multiple prediction algorithm. The method includes the steps of generating one or more actual three-dimensional primary travel times and one or more actual three-dimensional multiple travel times, applying the multiple prediction algorithm to the actual three-dimensional primary travel times to generate one or more travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm, and subtracting the actual three-dimensional multiple travel times from the travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ian Moore, Clement Kostov, Robert Ian Bloor, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080043573
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes creating a file containing information regarding a plurality of pairs of recorded traces. Each pair of recorded traces is substantially closest to a desired shot-side trace and a desired receiver-side trace. The method further includes convolving the pairs of recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions and stacking the convolutions for each target trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Bisley, Ian Moore, William H. Dragoset
  • Patent number: 6480440
    Abstract: A method of compensating for seismic receiver motion in a marine seismic survey wherein at least one receiver is towed behind a moving seismic vessel comprises producing an acoustic energy wave at a seismic source, and recording the reflection arrival time t2 of the acoustic energy wave at the one receiver. The offset x between the source and the one receiver is determined. The normal moveout velocity V for the acoustic energy, and the velocity VB of the seismic vessel are also estimated. A corrected reflection arrival time t1 , of the acoustic energy wave is then determined by applying a time correction to the recorded reflection arrival time t2. The time correction is a function of the offset x, the normal moveout velocity V, and the velocity VB of the seismic vessel. The method is applicable to a plurality of receivers, whether the receivers are arranged in a single sensor acquisition system or hardwired to form receiver groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Westerngeco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jan Douma, William H. Dragoset
  • Publication number: 20020126576
    Abstract: A method of compensating for seismic receiver motion in a marine seismic survey wherein at least one receiver is towed behind a moving seismic vessel comprises producing an acoustic energy wave at a seismic source, and recording the reflection arrival time t2 of the acoustic energy wave at the one receiver. The offset x between the source and the one receiver is determined. The normal moveout velocity V for the acoustic energy, and the velocity VB of the seismic vessel, are also estimated. A corrected reflection arrival time t1 of the acoustic energy wave is then determined by applying a time correction to the recorded reflection arrival time t2. The time correction is a function of the offset x, the normal moveout velocity V, and the velocity VB of the seismic vessel. The method is applicable to a plurality of receivers, whether the receivers are arranged in a single sensor acquisition system or hardwired to form receiver groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jan Douma, William H. Dragoset
  • Patent number: 6161076
    Abstract: A method for improving vibratory source seismic data uses a filter which converts a recorded seismic groundforce signal (including harmonic distortion therein) into a desired short-duration wavelet. A plurality of surveys may be carried out using a plurality of sweeps from plurality of vibrators that have their relative phases encoded, the groundforce signal of each vibrator being measured. The recorded seismic reflection signals are then processed to separate out the signals from each vibrator. In another aspect, harmonics of upto any desired order may be canceled while carrying out multiple surveys with a plurality of vibrators. In a marine environment, the recorded signal from a vibrator towed by a moving vessel is used to derive a Doppler shift correction filter that is applied to reflection seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Frederick J. Barr, William H. Dragoset, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5986973
    Abstract: A marine seismic signal is transformed from time domain into frequency domain and represented by matrix D. The marine data signal is truncated in time, transformed into the frequency domain and represented by matrix D.sub.T Eigenvalue decomposition D.sub.T=S.LAMBDA.S.sup.-1 of matrix D.sub.T is computed. Matrix product D S is computed and saved in memory. Conjugate transpose [D S]* is computed and saved in memory. Matrix product [D S]*[D S] is computed and saved in memory. Matrix inverse S.sup.-1 is computed and saved in memory. Conjugate transpose (S.sup.-1)* is computed and saved in memory. Matrix product S.sup.-1 (S.sup.-1)* is computed and saved in memory. An initial estimate of the source wavelet w is made. Source wavelet w is optimized by iterating the steps of computing the diagonal matrix [I-w.sup.-1 .LAMBDA.], computing matrix inverse [I-w.sup.-1 .LAMBDA.].sup.-1, computing conjugate transpose [(I-w.sup.-1 .LAMBDA.).sup.-1 ]*, retrieving matrix products [D S]*[D S] and S.sup.-1 (S.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeljko Jericevic, William H. Dragoset, Jr.