Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080285381 | Methods for Efficiently Acquiring Wide-Azimuth Towed Streamer Seismic Data - 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. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291779 | Marine Seismic Acquisition System - A marine cable for seismic surveys is described with a plurality of ceramic pressure sensors ( | 11-27-2008 |
20090010101 | Seismic streamer having longitudinally symmetrically sensitive sensors to reduce effects of longitudinally traveling waves - A seismic streamer includes a jacket and at least one seismic sensor disposed in a sensor holder inside the jacket. The at least one sensor is oriented inside the sensor holder such that a response of the at least one sensor is substantially longitudinally symmetric. | 01-08-2009 |
20090016157 | Non-rigid cable for deployment of ocean bottom seismometers - A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached. | 01-15-2009 |
20090040871 | WIDE TOW ENABLED BY MULTICOMPONENT MARINE SEISMIC CABLE - A technique for use in towed-array, marine seismic surveys includes a method and an apparatus. The method includes accessing a set of multicomponent seismic data acquired in a wide tow, marine seismic survey; and interpolating a set of seismic data from the acquired seismic data in the crossline direction such that the combined acquired and interpolated seismic data meet the discrete spatial sampling theory requirements for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise. In some aspects, the technique includes programmed storage media and/or programmed computers for use in executing such a method. The apparatus is a wide tow array, including a plurality of streamers spaced apart by a cable separation exceeding the maximum cable spacing for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise as determined by discrete spatial sampling theory. | 02-12-2009 |
20090122641 | Array grouping of seismic sensors in a marine streamer for optimum noise attenuation - A marine seismic streamer includes at least one particle motion sensor array. The array includes a plurality of particle motion sensors disposed at spaced apart locations along the streamer. Outputs of the particle motion sensors are functionally coupled to form an array. A number of the particle motion sensors and a spacing between adjacent particle motion sensors are selected to attenuate noise in a selected mode of propagation and within a selected wavenumber range. The streamer includes means for weighting a signal output of each particle motion sensor in the at least one array. A signal weight applied to each sensor by the means for weighting is selected to optimize attenuation of the noise. | 05-14-2009 |
20090219783 | Method of Conducting a Seismic Survey - A method of conducting a seismic survey of an area including a region of high seismic velocity regimes in a shallow overburden. According to the method, a zone is identified in which the boundary of the high seismic velocity region has a substantially constant critical angle and a course is plotted through the identified zone. A zone based directional seismic source is applied sequentially, with a directivity angle equal to or close to the measured critical angle. The response is detected using receivers. | 09-03-2009 |
20090251991 | SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING SEISMIC DATA IN A MARINE ENVIRONMENT, USING SEISMIC STREAMERS COUPLED TO MEANS FOR DETECTING AND/OR LOCATING MARINE MAMMALS - Discloses herein is a a system of acquiring seismic date in a marine environment, which includes: seismic streamers towed by a vessel; and means for detecting and/or locating marine mammals, characterised in that said marine mammal detection and/or location means are secured to said seismic streamers. | 10-08-2009 |
20090274004 | USING TOWED SEISMIC SURVEYS THAT DO NOT HAVE COINCIDING STREAMER POSITIONS IN THE TIME LAPSE ANALYSIS OF A PRODUCING FIELD - A technique includes performing at least one intervening towed seismic survey after a prior towed seismic survey and before a future towed seismic survey. The prior towed seismic survey has associated first streamer positions, and the future towed seismic survey has associated second streamer positions that do not coincide with the first streamer positions. The technique includes using measurements that are acquired in the intervening towed seismic survey(s) to link the prior towed seismic survey to the future towed seismic survey for time lapse analysis involving the prior and future towed seismic surveys. | 11-05-2009 |
20090296520 | ACQUIRING NEAR ZERO OFFSET SURVEY DATA - To acquire near-zero offset survey data, a survey source and a first streamer attached to the survey source are provided, where the first streamer has at least one survey receiver. A second streamer separate from the survey source and the first streamer includes survey receivers. Near-zero offset data is measured using the at least one survey receiver of the first streamer. | 12-03-2009 |
20090316526 | SYSTEM OF SELF-PROPELLED SEISMIC STREAMERS - Systems are described which make it possible to carry out a 3D seismic survey from the surface of the sea. The systems include individual standalone assemblies each including an electrically propelled fish which tows each seismic streamer the other end of which is positioned by a tail fish. These assemblies are connected, electrically and mechanically, via an electro-towing cable to the streamlined cables for towing the diverging paravanes. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323468 | SEISMIC SENSOR CABLE - An apparatus includes a cable; and seismic sensors that are disposed in the cable. The apparatus also includes spacers that are distributed in the cable such that each seismic sensor is disposed in an interval of the cable separating a different adjacent pair of the spacers. The spacers of each pair are separated by at least twenty-five centimeters. | 12-31-2009 |
20100039889 | MOUNTING A SEISMIC SENSOR IN A CABLE - An apparatus includes a cable; and a gel-based filler material, seismic sensors that are disposed in the cable. The seismic sensors are suspended in pockets, and each pocket contains a material that has a shear stiffness that is less than a shear stiffness of the gel-based filler material to attenuate a flow noise. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039890 | SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION ASSEMBLY - A seismic data acquisition assembly includes a cable; seismic sensors that are disposed along the cable; and a filler material inside the cable. The filler includes a hydrocarbon-based liquid and an agent to cause the filler material to have a rheological property that is substantially different than a corresponding rheological property of the hydrocarbon-based liquid. | 02-18-2010 |
20100054078 | POWERED SHEAVE FOR NODE DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL - A method and apparatus for deploying a plurality of seismic sensor units into a water column is described. The method includes providing a length of flexible cable from a cable storage device disposed on a vessel to a powered sheave, the cable having a plurality of spaced apart attachment points, routing the cable from the powered sheave to pass adjacent a workstation disposed on the vessel, deploying a free end of the cable into the water column while increasing the motion of the vessel to a first speed, operating the vessel at the first speed while providing a deployment rate of the cable at a second speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed, decreasing the second speed of the cable as an attachment point approaches the work station, and attaching at least one of the plurality of seismic sensor units to the attachment point at the workstation. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054079 | CONNECTOR FOR SEISMIC CABLE - A method and apparatus for a seismic cable is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of cable segments comprising at least a first cable segment and a second cable segment coupled by a connector. The connector comprises a cylindrical body having a first diameter, a portion of the body having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and centrally positioned between opposing ends of the body, a first coupling section having a terminating end of the first cable segment anchored therein, and a second coupling section having a terminating end of the second cable segment anchored therein, at least a portion of the first and second coupling sections being rotatably coupled to respective ends of the body, wherein the connector isolates the first cable segment from the second cable segment. A method of deployment and retrieval of the seismic cable is also described. | 03-04-2010 |
20100067326 | CETACEAN PROTECTION SYSTEM - An embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure for conducting a marine survey includes towing a survey spread comprising a plurality of receivers and an energy source along a selected course; emitting a signal from an energy source; receiving data from the plurality of receivers; detecting a cetacean from the received data; positioning the detected cetacean; limiting contact with the detected cetacean; and conducting a marine survey. | 03-18-2010 |
20100142317 | MULTI-VESSEL COIL SHOOTING ACQUISITION - Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting. | 06-10-2010 |
20100157728 | HANDLING EQUIPMENT FAILURE IN A SUBTERRANEAN SURVEY DATA ACQUISITION NETWORK - A technique includes generating a data stream that contains data acquired by nodes of a subterranean survey data acquisition network and introducing data into the data stream, which describes an equipment failure that occurred in the network. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165787 | STREAMER CABLE WITH ENHANCED PROPERTIES - The present invention relates to streamer cables. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a streamer cable. The method may comprise retrofitting the streamer cable with a solid void-filler material, where the streamer cable was configured as a liquid-filled streamer cable. The retrofitting may comprise introducing a void-filler material into the streamer cable when the void-filler material is in a liquid state and curing or otherwise solidifying the void-filler material to a solid state. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a streamer cable comprising an outer skin and-at least one sensor positioned within the outer skin. The streamer cable may also comprise a solid void-filler material positioned between the outer skin and the at least one sensor, wherein the solid void-filler material is coupled to the at least one sensor. | 07-01-2010 |
20100182872 | SEISMIC CABLE STRUCTURE - There is described an optical seismic cable ( | 07-22-2010 |
20100195435 | Protective socket for a sensor node - The present invention relates to a seismic cable ( | 08-05-2010 |
20100208550 | VIBRATION ISOLATION SECTION - According to the present invention there is provided a vibration isolation section for use in a seismic streamer system, the section including:
| 08-19-2010 |
20100254215 | Method for operating marine seismic vibrator array to enhance low frequency output - A method for operating marine seismic vibrators includes towing at least a first and a second marine seismic vibrator in a body of water beneath the hull of a vessel. At least a third marine seismic vibrator is towed at a selected depth in the water other than beneath the hull of the vessel. The at least first, second and third vibrators are operated to sweep through respective frequency ranges. The first and second frequency ranges have lowermost frequencies and uppermost frequencies respectively differing by a selected sub-harmonic frequency range. The third frequency range has a lowermost frequency at least equal to the uppermost frequency of one of the first and second frequency ranges and traverses a seismic frequency range of interest. | 10-07-2010 |
20100254216 | Multiwing Surface Free Towing System - A technique for seismic surveying is presented in which a towed array, marine seismic spread, includes a plurality of streamers and a deflector system. The deflector system laterally spreads the seismic streamers, wherein at least one streamer in the spread is deflected using more than one deflector attached to the tow cable or streamer, and where the deflectors are not connected to a float on the sea surface. Other aspects of the technique include methods for towing such a spread and for controlling such a spread. Still other aspects include computing resources which may be used to perform the methods. | 10-07-2010 |
20100265793 | Methods for Optimizing Offset Distribution of Cross Spread 3-D Seismic Surveys Using Variable Shot Line Length - A method for acquiring three-dimensional seismic data for sub-surface geologic features wherein a seismic source array is moved along a survey pattern having a plurality of source lines of unequal lengths that are substantially parallel to each other and intersect a receiver line. The survey pattern can be repeated in an overlapping and interleaved fashion to survey a larger area. | 10-21-2010 |
20100278011 | System and method for towed marine geophysical equipment - A system comprises towed marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached to the marine geophysical equipment. A method comprises towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached thereto. | 11-04-2010 |
20100302900 | Autonomously operated marine seismic acquisition system - A seismic survey system includes at least one autonomously operated vehicle and at least one seismic energy source associated with the autonomously operated vehicle. The autonomously operated vehicle includes a controller programmed to operate the at least one seismic energy source at selected times and to cause the autonomously operated vehicle to follow a predetermined geodetic path. | 12-02-2010 |
20100329076 | Deployment and Retrieval Method for Shallow Water Ocean Bottom Seismometers - A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached. | 12-30-2010 |
20110044128 | Marine Seismic Streamer with Increased Skin Stiffness - An apparatus includes a streamer having one or more seismic data acquisition devices enclosed within a skin. The skin has a modulus of elasticity of at least 30 MPa to attenuate a flow noise. | 02-24-2011 |
20110044129 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECOUPLING A SEISMIC SENSOR FROM ITS SURROUNDINGS - An apparatus includes a streamer having one or more sensor holders for retaining seismic sensors therein. A housing is disposed about a sensor with a gel-like material disposed between the housing and the sensor, thereby decoupling the sensor from its surroundings. The housing is disposed in the sensor holder and the streamer is filled with either liquid or another gel-like material. | 02-24-2011 |
20110044130 | SEISMIC SENSOR HOLDER AND METHOD - An apparatus includes a streamer having one or more sensor holders for retaining seismic sensors therein. The sensor holders have a reduced cross-sectional area to increase gel continuity and coupling through the streamer. | 02-24-2011 |
20110051550 | System and Method for Deployment of Seismic Data Recorders - A system and method for deployment of a plurality of seismic recorder assemblies from a survey vessel on the ocean bottom is disclosed. The seismic recorder assemblies are self contained, autonomous nodal devices which are capable of receiving and recording reflected seismic energy and storing the data locally while operating for an extended period of time. The assemblies each have two or more attachment points for the connection of separate connecting cable segments. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058449 | Towed marine sensor streamer having concentric stress member - A seismic streamer includes a jacket covering an exterior of the streamer. At least one strength member extends the length of the jacket. The strength member is formed as a substantially flat belt having a width to thickness ratio of at least 10. At least one sensor holder is coupled to the at least one strength member. The at least one sensor holder includes at least one arcuate opening for receiving the at least one strength member. The at least one arcuate opening is laterally displaced from a center of the at least one sensor holder such that when the at least one strength member is disposed therein the at least one strength member is substantially tube shaped and substantially coaxial with the jacket. | 03-10-2011 |
20110096624 | Sensing Technique for Seismic Exploration - A technique facilitates performance of seismic surveys in a variety of land and marine environments. The technique employs one or more optical fibers designed for deployment in a seismic survey region. Each optical fiber comprises multiple seismic sensors that are formed in the optical fiber, and those multiple seismic sensors are utilized in detecting reflected seismic signals. | 04-28-2011 |
20110103180 | Solid Seismic Streamer cable and Method - An apparatus includes a streamer cable having one or more seismic devices disposed within a polymer body and about a core. The polymer body includes a channel defined therein for receiving one or more wires connecting the seismic devices. The wires include slack for withstanding the tensional forces experienced by the streamer cable during deployment and operation. Associated methods are also described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110110187 | System and method for drag reduction in towed marine seismic equipment - A system comprises towed marine seismic equipment marine seismic equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and a surface covering, with longitudinal ribs, attached to the marine seismic equipment to reduce drag. A method comprises towing marine seismic equipment having a surface covering, with longitudinal ribs, attached thereto to reduce drag. | 05-12-2011 |
20110158044 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING WIDE-AZIMUTH MARINE DATA USING SIMULTANEOUS SHOOTING - A technique for acquiring wide azimuth seismic data using simultaneous shooting is presented in which a plurality of seismic sources are positioned to achieve a desired crossline sampling as a function of the number of passes. This is accomplished by “interleaving” sources as deployed in the spread, as positioned in multiple passes, or some combination of these things, to achieve an effective shotline interval during acquisition or an effective crossline sampling less than their crossline source separation. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158045 | System for adjusting geophysical sensor streamer front end towing depth - A system for towing a marine geophysical sensor streamer includes a lead in line extending from a tow vessel. A streamer front end termination is coupled to an end of the lead in line and to a forward end of the sensor streamer. A floatation device is coupled by a line proximate to the front end termination. A winch is disposed on the floatation device to extend and retract the line. A depth sensor is disposed proximate the front end termination. A controller is in signal communication with the winch and the depth sensor so that the forward end of the streamer is maintained at a selected depth in the body of water. | 06-30-2011 |
20110199857 | Wide Seismic Source Systems - A wide-azimuth marine seismic survey system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a streamer array; a first source towed from a first vessel; a second source towed from a second vessel; and a supplemental offset source towed from the first vessel and the second vessel. | 08-18-2011 |
20110205839 | Method for towing marine sensor streamers - A method for operating a geophysical sensor streamer in body of water includes operating a remotely operated vehicle coupled to a forward end of the streamer to tow the streamer in the water. Signals generate by sensors on the streamer are communicated substantially in real time to a recording unit on a survey vessel using at least one of electrical and optical cables in an umbilical cable connecting the remotely operable vehicle to the survey vessel. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205840 | SEISMIC EQUIPMENT HANDLING - Launch and retrieval equipment for use in seismic testing and methods for seismic testing are described. Elements of the equipment may include a pivoting frame to hold the seismic equipment, sliding rails that hold the seismic equipment in place on the frame and a winch and line that operates to launch the seismic equipment keeping it tethered to a vessel. The launch device is capable of launching and retrieving seismic equipment without the use of conventional cranes. | 08-25-2011 |
20110255368 | Method for 2D and 3D electromagnetic field measurements using a towed marine electromagnetic survey system - A method for acquiring electromagnetic data in at least two dimensions includes towing a first streamer cable behind a vessel in a body of water, the first streamer cable including a reference line extending substantially along the entire length thereof, a plurality of spaced apart measuring electrodes electrically insulated from the reference line and a voltage measuring circuit functionally coupled between each measuring electrode and the reference line. At least a second streamer cable is towed at corresponding distance from the vessel. The second streamer cable is configured substantially as the first streamer cable. The second streamer cable is displaced from the first streamer cable in one of a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. At selected times an electromagnetic field is imparted into the water. Voltage difference is determined between each measuring electrode and the reference line, and a difference between voltages measured at least one electrode on each of the first and second streamer cables is determined. | 10-20-2011 |
20110255369 | System and method for gathering marine geophysical data - A system comprises marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and tightly fitting covers, attached to the marine seismic equipment, to fill-in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment, for gathering marine geophysical data. A method comprises marine geophysical equipment having tightly fitting covers, to fill-in indentations in the marine geophysical equipment, attached thereto, for gathering marine geophysical data. | 10-20-2011 |
20110261646 | Sinusoidal Marine Seismic Data Acquisition - A method of acquiring marine seismic data using an acoustic source to generate an acoustic signal, a portion of which is reflected at one or more subsurface formation interfaces as a seismic signal is described. The method includes sailing a surface vessel along a sail line which lies over a survey area while towing a seismic streamer, the sail line having a sinusoidal configuration defined by an amplitude and a wavelength. The streamer includes a plurality of hydrophones for receiving the reflected portion of the acoustic signal. The method is characterised in that the streamer follows the sinusoidal configuration of the sail line while seismic data is acquired, the streamer having a length at least equal to the distance travelled by the surface vessel as it sails along one full wavelength of the configuration as measured along the sinusoidal sail line. | 10-27-2011 |
20110273957 | Apparatus and Method for Decoupling a Seismic Sensor From Its Surroundings - An apparatus includes a streamer having one or more sensor holders for retaining seismic sensors therein. An elastic material is disposed about the sensor, thereby decoupling the sensor from its surroundings. The streamer is filled with a gel-like material that is in communication with the elastic material disposed about the sensor. | 11-10-2011 |
20110286303 | Coaxial support structure for towed marine seismic source arrays - A seismic source array includes at least one float. A plurality of rigid conduit sections each includes a bracket for suspension from the float at a selected depth in a body of water and configured to suspend a seismic energy source therefrom. At least one bend strain relief is coupled between adjacent rigid conduit sections. Each bend strain relief includes a coupling at each longitudinal end. Each bend strain relief includes woven fiber molded into flexible plastic for transmitting axial loading while absorbing bending and torsional stress. A seismic energy source is suspended from each bracket. Lines for operating the seismic energy sources pass through the rigid conduit sections and the at least one bending strain relief. | 11-24-2011 |
20110292758 | Method for Deployment of Seismic Recorder Array With Removable Data Recorders - A method of deploying a seismic recorder array on a seafloor is disclosed. The seismic recorder array comprises a plurality of removable seismic data recorders. The method comprises the step of forming the seismic recorder array by connecting a plurality of recorder housings in series, wherein adjacent recorder housings are connected by a connector cable. The recorder housings are configured to retain the removable seismic data recorders. The method comprises the step of loading the plurality of removable seismic data recorders in the recorder housings, and lowering the seismic recorder array into water until the seismic recorder array is positioned on the seafloor underlying the water. The method comprises the step of operating the seismic data recorders to detect seismic signal reflections and to record seismic data representing the reflections. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292759 | Structure for marine electromagnetic sensor streamer suited for manufacturing by extrusion - A method for making a marine electromagnetic survey streamer includes affixing connectors to longitudinal ends of a strength member. At least one signal communication line is extended along the length of the strength member. The strength member, connectors, and at least one signal communication line form a mechanical harness. Electrodes are affixed to the mechanical harness at selected positions. The mechanical harness is drawn through a co-extruder. The co-extruder fills void spaces in the harness with a void fill material. The co-extruder applies a jacket to an exterior of the void filled harness. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292760 | SEISMIC EQUIPMENT HANDLING - Launch and retrieval equipment for use in seismic testing and methods for seismic testing are described. Elements of the equipment may include a pivoting frame to hold the seismic equipment, sliding rails that hold the seismic equipment in place on the frame and a winch and line that operates to launch the seismic equipment keeping it tethered to a vessel. The launch device is capable of launching and retrieving seismic equipment without the use of conventional cranes. | 12-01-2011 |
20110299360 | SEISMIC ARRAY WITH SPACED SOURCES HAVING VARIABLE PRESSURE - An over/under seismic source system includes a first umbilical to a first gun array at a first depth and a second umbilical at a different air pressure to a second gun array at a second, lower depth. The air pressure to the second, lower gun array is tuned so that the periods of the gun bubbles from the higher and lower gun arrays match in order to improve wavefield separation in subsequent data processing. | 12-08-2011 |
20110305107 | FLARING METHODOLOGIES FOR MARINE SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION - A method of determining an optimal flare spacing for streamers towed behind a seismic vessel comprising the steps of: using a computer specially adapted with a seismic data analysis package to analyze prior seismic data for a survey area; analyzing migration broadcast patterns to estimate a maximum sampling distance; calculating a wavelet expansion as a function of flare spacing; creating synthetic gaps in the prior seismic data coverage by dropping traces at different flare spacing; testing capability of different interpolation algorithms in the seismic data analysis package to close the synthetic gaps; and determining an optimal flare spacing based upon the capability of the different interpolation algorithms to close the synthetic gaps. | 12-15-2011 |
20110310698 | Dual Axis Geophones For Pressure/Velocity Sensing Streamers Forming a Triple Component Streamer - A seismic streamer includes a sensor comprises an axially oriented body including a plurality of axially oriented channels arranged in opposing pairs; a plurality of hydrophones arranged in opposing pairs in the channels; a pair of orthogonally oriented acoustic particle motion sensors; and a tilt sensor adjacent or associated with the particle motion sensors. The streamer has a plurality of hydrophones, as previously described, aligned with a plurality of accelerometers which detect movement of the streamer in the horizontal and vertical directions, all coupled with a tilt sensor, so that the marine seismic system can detect whether a detected seismic signal is a reflection from a geologic structure beneath the streamer or a downward traveling reflection from the air/seawater interface. | 12-22-2011 |
20110317515 | Marine acoustic vibrator having enhanced low-frequency amplitude - A seismic source includes a flextensional shell defining a longer axis and a shorter axis and at least one driver coupled to the flextensional shell proximate an end of the shorter axis. The seismic source may be a component of a marine seismic survey system. The marine seismic survey system may be utilized in a method of marine seismic surveying. | 12-29-2011 |
20110317516 | SEISMIC STREAMER PLATFORM - A technique includes designing a streamer, which includes a cable and seismic sensors based at least in part on a relationship between vibration noise and a bending stiffness of the cable. | 12-29-2011 |
20120002502 | Methods for gathering marine geophysical data - In a first embodiment the invention comprises a method for gathering geophysical data, including towing geophysical data gathering equipment behind a survey vessel in a body of water, said equipment including an array of sensor streamers extending behind said vessel, and determining a geodetic location of a streamer steering reference point at a forward end of the sensor streamers and a reference direction. At least one sensor streamer included in said array of sensor streamers is laterally deflected in response to the determined geodetic location of said streamer steering reference point and the determined reference direction. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002503 | Seismic Acquisition in Marine Environments Using Survey Paths Following a Series of Linked Deviated Paths and Methods of Use - Methods and systems are provided for acquiring seismic data in a marine environment using survey paths following a series of linked curved paths so as to obtain multi-azimuthal data over a sub-surface target. Marine vessels towing multiple seismic streamers may be configured to travel substantially along a series of linked deviated paths or a series of linked curved paths. Sources may be excited to introduce acoustic wave energy in the marine environment and into the subsea region. The acoustic wave energy then reflects and refracts from the subsea region to form reflected and refracted wave energy, which is detected by seismic receivers spaced along the streamers. The detected seismic data is then interpreted to reveal seismic information representative of the surveyed subsea region. Other enhancements include configuring the streamers in a flared configuration, where the lateral spacing increases rearwardly over the length of the seismic streamers. | 01-05-2012 |
20120033525 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARINE WIDE AZIMUTH TOWED STREAM SEISMIC ACQUISITION - This is a method of acquiring marine wide azimuth towed streamer seismic data. Preferably, a recording boat which tows a plurality of seismic streamers and at least one source may be accompanied by a plurality of source boats that each tow at least one source. The source boats may preferably activate their respective sources such that the subsurface reflections generated by each source interfere. The time separation between successive shots may preferably be a random variable related to the lowest frequency of interest in the data. Additionally, the source boats may preferably be alternatively fired from the head and tail of the recording streamers. | 02-09-2012 |
20120069703 | SEISMIC STREAMER - There is provided a solid seismic streamer cable for use in seismic surveying in marine environments. The streamer is characterised by a buffer layer | 03-22-2012 |
20120081996 | Determining Sea Conditions in Marine Seismic Spreads - According to one or more aspects of the invention, a marine seismic survey method comprises towing at least two streamers below a sea surface forming a survey spread, each streamer comprising a survey sensor and a profiler; and at each profiler, emitting an acoustic signal; recording an echo of the emitted signal at the profiler; and determining a parameter from the recorded echo, the parameter comprising at least one selected from the group of a distance between the profiler and the sea surface, a water current vector and a sea surface slope. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081997 | Marine Vibrator with Improved Seal - A marine vibrator with improved seal is described. The marine vibrator includes a housing and piston within the housing for generating vibratory signals. The improved seal is comprised of a two-stage seal having a first seal disposed adjacent the water interface and a second seal disposed away from the water interface, thus improving the reliability of the marine vibrator. | 04-05-2012 |
20120087207 | PROCESSING SEISMIC DATA - A method of monitoring a marine seismic source array comprises, consequent to actuation of a seismic source array ( | 04-12-2012 |
20120087208 | Method for Deployment of Ocean Bottom Seismometers - A deployment and retrieval method for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the method employs a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto to carry a plurality of receivers. The receivers are individually placed on the ocean bottom floor by utilizing a conveyor to move the receivers along a linear path to remove the receivers from the carrier. In one embodiment, multiple linear conveyors may be operated independently to alter the relative positions of the receivers on the respective conveyors to adjust the weight distribution of the receivers within the carrier. | 04-12-2012 |
20120120760 | Active Detection of Marine Mammals During Seismic Surveying - An embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure for conducting a marine survey includes towing a survey spread comprising a plurality of receivers and an energy source along a selected course; emitting a signal from an energy source; receiving backscattered acoustic signals at the receivers; and actively detecting a cetacean from the received data. | 05-17-2012 |
20120163119 | COMBINATION MOTION AND ACOUSTIC PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREFOR - Sensors used in mapping strata beneath a marine body are described, such as used in a flexible towed array. A first sensor is a motion sensor including a conductive liquid in a chamber between a rigid tube and a piezoelectric motion film circumferentially wrapped about the tube. A second sensor is a traditional acoustic sensor or a novel acoustic sensor using a piezoelectric sensor mounted with a thin film separation layer of flexible microspheres on a rigid substrate. Additional non-acoustic sensors are optionally mounted on the rigid substrate for generation of output used to reduce noise observed by the acoustic sensors. Combinations of acoustic, non-acoustic, and motion sensors co-located in rigid streamer housing sections are provided. | 06-28-2012 |
20120176858 | Co-extruded marine sensor cable jacket with anti-fouling properties - A marine sensor cable comprises a jacket covering an exterior of the sensor cable, wherein the jacket comprises an outer portion containing biocide disposed in a co-extrusion process. A method for producing a marine sensor cable jacket comprises providing a co-extruder to construct a polyurethane jacket for a sensor cable with a first extruder constructing an inner portion of the jacket and a second extruder constructing an outer portion of the jacket; producing a mixture of thermo polyurethane and biocide; supplying thermo polyurethane to the first extruder; supplying the mixture of thermo polyurethane and biocide to the second extruder; and constructing the polyurethane jacket with the outer portion containing the biocide. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176859 | MARINE SEISMIC STREAMERS - The subject disclosure relates to seismic streamers. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to seismic streamers with self healing properties. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176860 | System and Method for Using Biocide Coating to Prevent Marine Growth on Geophysical Equipment - Systems and methods comprise marine geophysical equipment with polyurethane-based material at least partially covering a surface. The surface also at least partially coated with a suspension medium and with a biocide. A method comprises disposing such marine geophysical equipment in a body of water. A method comprises applying a suspension medium and a biocide to a surface at least partially covered with a polyurethane-based material. | 07-12-2012 |
20120236684 | SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTING MOTION INDUCED NOISE IN TOWED MARINE ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSOR STREAMERS - An electromagnetic sensor streamer may include a jacket, at least one electromagnetic sensor in operational communication with a voltage measuring circuit disposed inside the jacket, and at least one wire coil. The at least one wire coil is in signal communication with the voltage measuring circuit, and the voltage measuring circuit is configured to determine motion-induced voltages imparted to the at least one electromagnetic sensor in the streamer. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243370 | SEISMIC STREAMER FORMED OF SECTIONS COMPRISING A MAIN SHEATH COVERED WITH AN EXTERNAL SHEATH FORMED USING A THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL LOADED WITH A BIOCIDE MATERIAL - System and method for providing an anti-fouling function to a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection. The method includes mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material; and forming an external sheath over a main sheath of the streamer to provide the anti-fouling function. The external sheath is formed from the external sheath material such that the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath. | 09-27-2012 |
20120250456 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENERGY HARVESTING IN A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY STREAMER - A disclosed geophysical survey system includes one or more streamers having sensors powered by at least one energy harvesting device that converts vibratory motion of the streamers into electrical power. The vibratory motion may originate from a number of sources including, e.g., vortex shedding, drag fluctuation, breathing waves, and various flow noise sources including turbulent boundary layers. To increase conversion efficiency, the device may be designed with an adjustable resonance frequency. The design of the streamer electronics may incorporate the energy harvesting power source in a variety of ways, so as to reduce the amount of wiring mass that would otherwise be required along the length of the streamer. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250457 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY STREAMER - A disclosed survey method includes towing geophysical survey streamers in a body of water and using sensors within the streamer to collect measurements that are then conveyed along the streamer to a recording station using at least one wireless transmission link. In some implementations at least one sensor is coupled to a wireless transceiver in a streamer to transmit geophysical survey measurement data along the streamer to a wireless base station. The base station receives the wirelessly transmitted seismic data and communicates it to a central recording station. Each segment of the streamer may contain a base station to collect wireless data from the sensors in that segment, and each base station may be coupled to the central recording station by wiring (e.g., copper or fiber optic). Other implementations employ ranges of sensors wired to local transceivers that form a peer-to-peer wireless network for communicating data to the central recording station. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250458 | ANTI-BARNACLE NET AND METHOD - Method and an array of streamers that prevent/slow down marine animals to attach to the streamers. The array includes at least one streamer including plural sections; and a net provided over at least one section of the at least one streamer. | 10-04-2012 |
20120269033 | DUAL AXIS GEOPHONES FOR PRESSURE/VELOCITY SENSING STREAMERS FORMING A TRIPLE COMPONENT STREAMER - A seismic streamer includes a sensor comprises an axially oriented body including a plurality of axially oriented channels arranged in opposing pairs; a plurality of hydrophones arranged in opposing pairs in the channels; a pair of orthogonally oriented acoustic particle motion sensors; and a tilt sensor adjacent or associated with the particle motion sensors. The streamer has a plurality of hydrophones, as previously described, aligned with a plurality of accelerometers which detect movement of the streamer in the horizontal and vertical directions, all coupled with a tilt sensor, so that the marine seismic system can detect whether a detected seismic signal is a reflection from a geologic structure beneath the streamer or a downward traveling reflection from the air/seawater interface. | 10-25-2012 |
20120275265 | BUOY FOR MARINE SURVEYS - Buoy for marine surveys. At least some of the illustrated embodiments are a buoy including an elongated main body and a mast system coupled to the elongated main body. The mast system includes: a forward mast; an aft mast; a spanning portion coupled between a distal end of the forward mast and a distal end of the aft mast; and an aperture defined at least in part by the main body, forward mast, aft mast, and spanning portion. The buoy is configured to float in water such that the water level intersects the forward mast and aft mast, the elongated body is submerged, and the spanning portion resides above the water level. | 11-01-2012 |
20120314535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF A MARINE SURVEY USING VERTICALLY ORIENTED SENSOR STREAMERS - Marine surveys using vertically oriented sensor streamers. At least some embodiments are vertically oriented sensor streamers where each sensor streamer includes: an elongated outer jacket; a plurality of hydrophones coupled to the outer jacket, each hydrophone of the plurality of hydrophones longitudinally spaced along the outer jacket; a plurality of three-axis motion detectors, each three-axis motion detector of the plurality of three-axis motion detectors longitudinally spaced along the outer jacket; and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the outer jacket, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes longitudinally spaced along the outer jacket, and the plurality of electrodes electrically exposed outside the outer jacket. Other embodiments may also comprise a plurality of electrodes on each sensor streamer, the electrodes for measuring electromagnetic energy. | 12-13-2012 |
20120314536 | ENHANCING LOW FREQUENCY CONTENT IN MARINE SIMULTANEOUS VIBROSEIS ACQUISITION - A technique is designed for conducting a seismic survey. The technique utilizes a plurality of vibrator arrays employed to conduct a seismic survey utilizing low frequency and high frequency vibrators in each vibrator array. The plurality of vibrator arrays continuously sweeps low frequency signals via low frequency vibrators. While sweeping low frequency signals, high-frequency vibrators emit high-frequency signals in an alternating pattern between vibrator arrays to enhance the seismic survey. | 12-13-2012 |
20130003497 | STREAMER CABLE FOR USE IN MARINE SEISMIC EXPLORATION AND METHOD FOR REDUCING NOISE GENERATION IN MARINE SEISMIC EXPLORATION - The present invention relates to a streamer cable for use in marine seismic exploration. Further, a method for reducing noise generation in marine seismic exploration is described, as well as a method for the preparation of the said seismic cables. | 01-03-2013 |
20130028047 | BOTTOM MODULE FOR SEISMIC SURVEY - A system is proposed for conducting efficient marine seismic surveys in different climatic conditions for water depths of 0-500 meters, in near-shore zones and on the land for obtaining seamless profiles. The system includes at least one bottom module (BM) and onboard devices located on a vessel. The BM can be submerged from the vessel onto a bottom ground and lifted up on the board. The BM includes a case provided with roundings on its upper surface and its bottom area, to which case are mounted damping elements, a hydrophone and a geophone block for receiving seismic data, a vacuum port, a hermetic electrical socket, and equipment arranged inside the case, including—a clock generator,—a digital compass providing angle data,—an interface board essentially reading the seismic and angle data and transmitting thereof to the onboard devices, and—a recorder board communicating with the geophones, hydrophone, and interface board. | 01-31-2013 |
20130039149 | DIGITAL SENSOR STREAMERS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A disclosed data acquisition system includes one or more streamers having multiple spaced apart sensor units. At least one sensor unit includes at least one digital sensor employing a quantized feedback loop to produce a digital output signal. A data recording system collects and stores data from the sensor units. The quantized feedback loop may be adapted to exert a quantized force on the sensing element. A described method for acquiring data includes deploying at least one streamer having multiple spaced apart sensor units, where at least a portion of the sensor units include a digital sensor employing a quantized feedback loop to produce a digital output signal. A stimulus event is triggered. Data is received from the sensor units and stored. | 02-14-2013 |
20130044565 | PIEZOELECTRIC SENSORS FOR GEOPHYSICAL STREAMERS - A disclosed digital sensor includes a pair of piezoelectric sensors that respond to acceleration and pressure in opposite ways, a pair of digital transducer circuits each employing a quantized feedback path to obtain digital sensor signals for the piezoelectric sensors, and a combiner circuit that combines the digital sensor signals to produce a compensated digital output signal. The compensated digital output signal may be a pressure compensated acceleration signal, an acceleration compensated pressure signal, or both. Also disclosed is a signal detection method that includes configuring a pair of piezoelectric membranes in a piezoelectric sensor to respond to acceleration and pressure in opposite ways, and based on their responses, producing at least one of a digital pressure compensated acceleration signal and a digital acceleration compensated pressure signal. The digital signals may be produced in part by applying a quantized feedback signal to at least one of the piezoelectric membranes. | 02-21-2013 |
20130051176 | SEISMIC ACQUISITION USING SOLID STREAMERS - Some embodiments of the disclosed invention include a method for acquiring marine seismic data using solid streamers in a curved pattern. Streamers can be towed in a curved pattern within a body of water. While being towed in the curved patter the source may be fired and response data can be collected by the streamers as they are towed through the water in the curved/circular pattern. These streamers can be solid streamers and can be filled with a gel like substance. Moreover, the streamers can be placed at various known depths within the body of water. | 02-28-2013 |
20130058192 | OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMIC CABLE RECORDING APPARATUS - An ocean bottom seismic cable recording apparatus comprising a plurality of seismic node casings ( | 03-07-2013 |
20130064038 | DUAL AXIS GEOPHONES FOR PRESSURE/VELOCITY SENSING STREAMERS FORMING A TRIPLE COMPONENT STREAMER - A seismic streamer includes a sensor comprises an axially oriented body including a plurality of axially oriented channels arranged in opposing pairs; a plurality of hydrophones arranged in opposing pairs in the channels; a pair of orthogonally oriented acoustic particle motion sensors; and a tilt sensor adjacent or associated with the particle motion sensors. The streamer has a plurality of hydrophones, as previously described, aligned with a plurality of accelerometers which detect movement of the streamer in the horizontal and vertical directions, all coupled with a tilt sensor, so that the marine seismic system can detect whether a detected seismic signal is a reflection from a geologic structure beneath the streamer or a downward traveling reflection from the air/seawater interface. | 03-14-2013 |
20130100764 | ACQUISITION SCHEME FOR VIBROSEIS MARINE SOURCES - Control mechanisms, computer software and methods for driving vibrational source arrays underwater. An incoherent acquisition scheme drives individual source elements simultaneously and incoherently while a coherent acquisition scheme drives high-frequency individual source elements simultaneously and incoherently and low-frequency individual source elements simultaneously and coherently. Thus, denser coverage and an increased energy input is achieved for the source arrays. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100765 | ACQUISITION SCHEME FOR VIBROSEIS MARINE SOURCES - Control mechanisms, computer software and methods for driving vibrational source arrays underwater. An incoherent acquisition scheme drives individual source elements simultaneously and incoherently while a coherent acquisition scheme drives high-frequency individual source elements simultaneously and incoherently and low-frequency individual source elements simultaneously and coherently. Thus, denser coverage and an increased energy input is achieved for the source arrays. | 04-25-2013 |
20130114374 | ADJUSTABLE SENSOR STREAMER STRETCH SECTION FOR NOISE CONTROL FOR GEOPHYSICAL SENSOR STREAMERS - A sensor streamer stretch section includes at least one spring. A means for coupling the spring at each end to at least one of a sensor streamer and a lead in cable is included. A cable is coupled at its ends to the means for coupling. The cable is capable of carrying at least one of electrical and optical signals. The cable is formed such that the cable undergoes substantially no axial strain when the shock cord is elongated. An adjustable damper is coupled between the means for coupling at each end of the stretch section. | 05-09-2013 |
20130148468 | NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY CABLE - A disclosed geophysical survey cable includes a signal amplifier coupled between two electrodes spaced apart along the length of the geophysical survey cable (the electrodes being coupled to the signal amplifier by a first conductor pair), and a noise amplifier coupled to a second conductor pair positioned substantially parallel to the first conductor pair. The geophysical survey cable further includes a combiner that combines a noise signal provided by the noise amplifier with a sensor signal provided by the signal amplifier to provide a sensor signal with a reduced noise component. | 06-13-2013 |
20130163374 | WATER-COUPLED UNDERWATER NODE FOR SEISMIC SURVEYS - A marine node for recording seismic waves underwater. The node includes a spherical body made of a material that has a density similar to a density of the water so that the body is buoyant neutral; a first sensor located in the body and configured to record three dimensional movements of the node; a second sensor located in the body and configured to record pressure waves propagating through the water; and one or more cables connected to the first and second sensors and configured to exit the body to be connected to an external device. The body is coupled to the water. | 06-27-2013 |
20130215714 | METHOD, DEVICE AND NODE FOR SEABED SEISMIC ACQUISITION - The invention concerns a method for seabed seismic acquisition. According to the invention, a pair of geophones ( | 08-22-2013 |
20130250720 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MARINE SEISMIC DATA - A method for acquiring marine seismic data includes towing a seismic energy source in a body of water and towing a seismic sensor at a selected distance from the seismic energy source. The seismic energy source is actuated a plurality of positions, a distance between each of the plurality of actuations being randomly different than any other such distance. Seismic energy detected by the seismic sensor is substantially continuously recorded through a plurality of actuations of the at least one seismic energy source. The recording includes recording a geodetic position of the at least one seismic energy source and the at least one seismic sensor at each actuation. | 09-26-2013 |
20130265850 | ACTIVE CLEANING DEVICE FOR SEISMIC STREAMERS AND RELATED METHODS - A cleaning device for cleaning a marine streamer towed underwater and related methods are provided. The cleaning device includes a housing configured to be attached to the streamer, a motor mounted inside the housing, a propeller configured be rotated by the motor and to drive the housing along and relative to the streamer in a towing direction, and a controller configured to control the motor and the propeller. | 10-10-2013 |
20130286774 | STREAMER CABLE WITH ENHANCED PROPERTIES - The present invention relates to streamer cables. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a streamer cable. The method may comprise retrofitting the streamer cable with a solid void-filler material, where the streamer cable was configured as a liquid-filled streamer cable. The retrofitting may comprise introducing a void-filler material into the streamer cable when the void-filler material is in a liquid state and curing or otherwise solidifying the void-filler material to a solid state. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a streamer cable comprising an outer skin and-at least one sensor positioned within the outer skin. The streamer cable may also comprise a solid void-filler material positioned between the outer skin and the at least one sensor, wherein the solid void-filler material is coupled to the at least one sensor. | 10-31-2013 |
20130294195 | SEISMIC STREAMER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A seismic streamer system for acquiring seismic data includes a plurality of first cable sections each employing a first sensor configuration therein, and at least one second cable section operatively connected to one or more of the first cable sections and employing a second sensor configuration therein. In various embodiments of the streamer system, one or more of the second cable sections are sparsely integrated into a streamer, a streamer array and/or a seismic spread. The first sensor configuration may, e.g., include a conventional hydrophone distribution, and the second sensor configuration may, e.g., include multicomponent sensors such as at least one of a particle velocity sensor, a pressure gradient sensor, an accelerometer and a combination thereof. The present invention is useful for attenuating noise in the measured seismic data as well as deghosting the data. A particular deghosting process includes decomposing the up- and down-going parts of the vertical component of particle velocity associated with the acoustic wave reflections from the strata. | 11-07-2013 |
20140112097 | VARIABLE-DEPTH SEISMIC SOURCE AND METHOD - Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes at least one sub-array. The at least one sub-array includes a float from which plural source points are attached. The source points may be provided on a curved line, straight line, or other desired shape so that a variable-depth source is obtained with a single float. The source points may be divided into groups and the groups may be provided on the curved line, straight line or other desired shape. | 04-24-2014 |
20140153361 | Open Collar for Multi-Cable Towing System - Disclosed are methods and systems for towing multiple source cables with spreader lines coupled to the source cables using open collars. An example system for multi-cable towing may comprise a plurality of source cables coupled to a survey vessel. The example system may further comprise a plurality of energy sources, wherein each o the energy sources is coupled to a respective one of the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of spreader lines extending between the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of open collars coupling the spreader lines to the source cables, wherein the open collars are slidably coupled to the source cables. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153362 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS - Geophysical surveys in marine environments. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: attaching a first sensor module to a sensor cable having an outer jacket, the first sensor module electrically isolated from an electrical conductor disposed within the outer jacket of the sensor cable; attaching a second sensor module to the sensor cable, the second sensor module electrically isolated from an electrical conductor disposed within the outer jacket of the sensor cable; placing the sensor cable and the sensor modules onto a sea floor; communicating with the sensor modules by way of the electrical conductor disposed within the outer jacket; collecting geophysical data by the first and second sensor modules while the sensor cable is on the sea floor; and downloading to a computer system geophysical data from the first and second sensor modules. | 06-05-2014 |
20140169126 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MARINE SEISMIC ACQUISITION - Method and system for improving offset/azimuth distribution. The system includes plural streamers towed by a streamer vessel; a central source towed by the streamer vessel; first and second front sources located in front of the plural streamers along a traveling direction of the streamer vessel; and first and second large offset front sources located in front of the first and second front sources along the traveling direction. The offset distance between the first and second large offset front sources, along a cross-line direction, is larger than an offset distance between the first and second front sources. | 06-19-2014 |
20140185410 | Rigid-Stem Survey Method and System - Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical survey method comprising: deploying a rigid-stem assembly from a survey vessel into a body of water, wherein the rigid-stem assembly comprises a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining one or more interior chambers; towing the rigid-stem assembly from the survey vessel through the body of water; and either (1) detecting a geophysical signal with a sensor towed by the survey vessel, and/or (2) activating a geophysical source that is towed by the survey vessel. Also disclosed are survey systems and rigid-stem handling systems. | 07-03-2014 |
20140185411 | Rigid-Stem Lead-In Method and System - Disclosed are methods and systems for using a rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine geophysical survey. An embodiment discloses a method of towing a survey device from a survey vessel, comprising: coupling the survey device to the survey vessel with a lead-in comprising a rigid-stem lead-in assembly, the rigid-stem lead-in assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem both defining one or more interior chambers; and towing the survey device through a body of water. Also disclosed are marine geophysical survey methods and marine survey systems. | 07-03-2014 |
20140185412 | Rigid-Stem Active Method and System - Disclosed arc methods and systems for using a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid stems in a marine survey. An embodiment discloses a geophysical sensor streamer comprising a rigid-stem assembly comprising a plurality of rigid stems that are interconnected and each comprise a stem body defining, one or more interior chambers, wherein a geophysical sensor is incorporated into one or more of the rigid stems. | 07-03-2014 |
20140198611 | TOWED STREAMER ACQUISITION WITH VARIABLE SPATIAL RESOLUTION - Methods and systems for performing a single pass multi-density seismic acquisition are described. A single pass multi-density seismic acquisition includes a plurality of different length streamers towed by one or more streamer vessels. The different length streamers are configured to provide different streamer (receiver) density zones from a highest density to lowest density from the least offset to the greatest offset of the streamers. The different density zones provide for optimized data associated with multiples rejection, imaging and model building/full waveform inversion. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204709 | MULTI-VESSEL COIL SHOOTING ACQUISITION - Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting. | 07-24-2014 |
20140254316 | System and Method for Seismic Surveying Using Distributed Sources - Disclosed are methods and systems for marine surveying that use electrically powered seismic sources that are distributed at spaced apart locations. In one example, a marine seismic survey system comprises: a survey vessel; a plurality of seismic sources configured to be towed by the survey vessel, wherein the seismic sources are electrically powered and are distributed behind the survey vessel at spaced apart locations with a spacing of about 50 meters or more; and a plurality of sensor streamers configured to be towed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140269179 | STREAMERS WITHOUT TAILBUOYS - A streamer without a tail buoy for a marine survey is disclosed. The method and system here relate to an embodiment where at least one streamer in a marine survey is free of tail buoys. An embodiment shows that a vessel is deployed in an area where the tail end of the streamer is. In one embodiment, a vessel serves as a visual reference indicating streamer end(s). In an embodiment, a vessel is operable to control marine traffic. Because the method and system include at least one streamer without a tail buoy, entanglement of the streamer may be reduced. In some embodiments, the existing navigation equipment on a vessel may be utilized to locate a tail end of at least one streamer. The existing navigation system on the vessel may also be employed to communicate with the corresponding equipment on a survey vessel. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293742 | SOLID STREAMER CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - Streamers used in mapping strata beneath a marine body are described, such as in a flexible neutrally buoyant towed array. A connector is used to longitudinally join a first and second streamer section and/or to connect a streamer section to a streamer stabilizer. The connector contains at least one of: (1) means for distributing axial stress over a larger volume or along a longer x-axis length of the streamer relative to the absence of the means for distributing; (2) forming an increasing radius of curvature along the length of the connector as a function of distance from the first leading streamer cable section; and (3) co-moving an inner stress bearing element and an outer wall of the connector preventing intermediate streamer elements, such as a wire bundle from picking up noise related to the movement stress. | 10-02-2014 |
20140362662 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MARINE SEISMIC ACQUISITION - Method and system for improving azimuth distribution. The system includes plural streamers towed by a streamer vessel; a central source towed by the streamer vessel; first and second front sources located in front of the plural streamers along a traveling direction of the streamer vessel; and first and second large offset front sources located in front of the first and second front sources along the traveling direction. The offset distance between the first and second large offset front sources, along a cross-line direction, is larger than an offset distance between the first and second front sources. | 12-11-2014 |
20140376330 | WIDE AZIMUTH SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH AT LEAST THREE STREAMER SETS - Wide azimuth data acquisition systems using at least three streamer sets achieve shorter survey time and enhanced angular coverage relative to conventional systems using two streamer sets. Various techniques such as high-density seismic source activation and alternating surveyed bands with skipped bands lead to data quality similar to the conventional system, while maintaining the increased productivity advantage. | 12-25-2014 |
20140376331 | WIDE AZIMUTH SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION METHOD AND SYSTEM SKIPPING LINES - Wide azimuth data acquisition systems using at least three streamer sets achieve shorter survey time and enhanced angular coverage relative to conventional systems using two streamer sets. Various techniques such as high-density seismic source activation and alternating surveyed bands with skipped bands lead to data quality similar to the conventional system, while maintaining the increased productivity advantage. | 12-25-2014 |
20150043307 | MULTI-VESSEL COIL SHOOTING ACQUISITION - Methods for efficiently acquiring full-azimuth towed streamer survey data are described. The methods use multiple vessels to perform coil shooting. | 02-12-2015 |
20150331127 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONDUCTING RECONNAISSANCE MARINE SEISMIC SURVEYS - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting reconnaissance marine seismic surveys. In one example method of acquiring a marine seismic survey, a plurality of streamers are towed behind an acquisition vessel, the plurality of streamers defining a swath. An independent source is towed by an independent source vessel above one or more of the plurality of towed streamers. | 11-19-2015 |
20150346365 | LOW FREQUENCY EMISSION AND RECORDING FOR SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION - Presented are methods and systems for collecting marine seismic data. The collected seismic data can be low frequency (e.g., less than 10 Hz) or it can be a full seismic bandwidth (1-200 Hz) depending on if the low frequency tuned sources and tuned receivers are combined with conventional sources and receivers. The low frequency sources can be towed or they can be autonomous and positioned in the survey area by tether, drifting or self-propelled. The tuned low frequency receivers are towed at a depth greater than conventional receivers and the sources can be fired independently or simultaneously. | 12-03-2015 |
20160109600 | VIRTUAL MARINE SEISMIC SPREAD ACQUISITION - Presented are methods and a system for efficiently acquiring seismic data based on a virtual seismic spread. A streamer vessel and a source vessel are used in combination and in a specific spatial arrangement collect seismic data. The source arrays can be fired simultaneously, creating blended seismic data that is separated with a deblending algorithm or sequentially to collect seismic data directly. The virtual seismic spread can be configured to reduce survey time or decrease capital costs and health safety and environment exposure based on the size of the streamer array towed by the streamer vessel. | 04-21-2016 |
20160170056 | DATA ACQUISITION METHOD AND SYSTEM | 06-16-2016 |
20160178775 | Multi-Vessel Coil Shooting Acquisition | 06-23-2016 |
20160178776 | Real-Time Infill In Marine Seismic Surveys Using An Independent Seismic Source | 06-23-2016 |
20160187504 | SEISMIC ACQUISITION METHOD AND APPARATUS - The presently disclosed seismic acquisition technique employs a receiver array and a processing methodology that are designed to attenuate the naturally occurring seismic background noise recorded along with the seismic data during the acquisition. The approach leverages the knowledge that naturally occurring seismic background noise moves with a slower phase velocity than the seismic signals used for imaging and inversion and, in some embodiments, may arrive from particular preferred directions. The disclosed technique comprises two steps: 1) determining from the naturally occurring seismic background noise in the preliminary seismic data a range of phase velocities and amplitudes that contain primarily noise and the degree to which that noise needs to be attenuated, and 2) designing an acquisition and processing method to attenuate that noise relative to the desired signal. | 06-30-2016 |
20160377750 | STRESS MEMBER CONNECTOR - A system can include a head connector, a stress member connector, and a tail connector. The system can include a first plurality of stress members coupled to the head connector and to the stress member connector. The first plurality of stress members can enter through a first side of the stress member connector. The system can include a second plurality of stress members coupled to the tail connector and to the stress member connector. The second plurality of stress members can exit through a second side of the stress member connector. The second plurality of stress members can be axially nonaligned with the first plurality of stress member connectors. | 12-29-2016 |