Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
367023000 | Controlled source signalling | 27 |
20100002539 | ZERO-OFFSET SEISMIC TRACE CONSTRUCTION - Described are methods for obtaining seismic signals representative of properties of the earth's interior, including the steps of obtaining near-field acoustic signals recorded in the vicinity of a seismic source ( | 01-07-2010 |
20100008185 | METHOD TO ACQUIRE SIMULTANEOUSLY SEISMIC DATA WITH SOURCE ARRAYS DESIGNED FOR SPECIFIC TARGETS - A method and apparatus for acquiring seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes: moving a first air gun array in the water at a first depth and a second air gun array in the water at a second depth greater than the first depth, in which the total volume of the first air gun array is less than the total volume of the second air gun array, in which the first air gun array is separated from the second air gun array by a distance substantially equal to a shot point interval, firing seismic energy through the first and second air gun arrays through the water into the earth, and recording seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the water. | 01-14-2010 |
20100149911 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING ACOUSTIC SOURCE ARRAY PERFORMANCE - A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149912 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING SIGNATURE VARIATION OF SEISMIC SOURCES - A technique facilitates the reduction of seismic source signature variation during a seismic survey. The technique involves estimating an azimuth angle and/or a departure angle for one or more seismic source elements. The angles are used to determine adjustments, such as seismic source depth adjustments, able to reduce seismic source signature variation. The adjustments can be made prior to firing the one or more seismic source elements. | 06-17-2010 |
20120008459 | SIMULTANEOUS OR NEAR-SIMULTANEOUS ACQUISITION FOR BOREHOLE SEISMIC - A technique facilitates performance of seismic profiling, such as three-dimensional vertical seismic profiling. A downhole acquisition system is provided with acoustic receivers designed to receive acoustic source signals. The firing of acoustic source signals is synchronized with the downhole acquisition system. Additionally, the firing of two or more acoustic source signals is controlled to provide simultaneous or nearly simultaneous timing of one acoustic source signal with respect to another acoustic source signal. A processing system is used to acquire and process a data stream of the initial shot and a data stream of the additional shot occurring simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. | 01-12-2012 |
20120014212 | CONTINUOUS COMPOSITE RELATIVELY ADJUSTED PULSE - The invention relates to continuously or near continuously acquiring seismic data where at least one pulse-type source is fired in a distinctive sequence to create a series of pulses and to create a continuous or near continuous rumble. In a preferred embodiment, a number of pulse-type seismic sources are arranged in an array and are fired in a distinctive loop of composite pulses where the returning wavefield is source separable based on the distinctive composite pulses. Firing the pulse-type sources creates an identifiable loop of identifiable composite pulses so that two or more marine seismic acquisition systems with pulse-type seismic sources can acquire seismic data concurrently, continuously or near continuously and the peak energy delivered into the water will be less, which will reduce the irritation of seismic data acquisition to marine life. | 01-19-2012 |
20120014213 | HIGH DENSITY SOURCE SPACING USING CONTINUOUS COMPOSITE RELATIVELY ADJUSTED PULSE - The invention relates to continuously or near continuously acquiring seismic data where at least one pulse-type source is fired in a distinctive sequence to create a series of pulses and to create a continuous or near continuous rumble. In a preferred embodiment, a number of pulse-type seismic sources are arranged in an array and are fired in a distinctive loop of composite pulses where the returning wavefield is source separable based on the distinctive composite pulses. Firing the pulse-type sources creates an identifiable loop of identifiable composite pulses so that two or more marine seismic acquisition systems with pulse-type seismic sources can acquire seismic data concurrently, continuously or near continuously and the peak energy delivered into the water will be less, which will reduce the irritation of seismic data acquisition to marine life. | 01-19-2012 |
20120057429 | TUNING UNIQUE COMPOSITE RELATIVELY ADJUSTED PULSE - The invention relates to acquiring seismic data in either land or marine environments, but typically marine environments where a pulse-type source is fired in a distinctive composite pulse like a distinctive rumble. In a preferred embodiment, a number of pulse-type seismic sources, sometimes called an array, are fired in a distinctive composite pulse to be able to identify within the returning wavefield the energy resulting from the composite pulse. Firing the pulse-type sources creates an identifiable signature so that two or more marine seismic acquisition systems with source arrays can be acquiring seismic data concurrently and the peak energy delivered into the water will be less, which will reduce the irritation of seismic data acquisition to marine life. In addition, the composite pulse may be formulated by timing the firing of several of the sources with respect to energy emitted by “ringing” bubbles that attenuate within 100 to 300 ms to provide either or both of low frequency pulses and high frequency pulses to provide data for various processing and analysis of the data returned from the subsurface. On land, the complicating factor to be addressed is reverberation rather than bubbles. | 03-08-2012 |
20120081998 | Method for Offset Timing of Simultaneous Seismic Source Firing - A technique enables measuring of the actual firing sequence times in a seismic survey application. The actual firing sequence times are then employed in simultaneous source resolution methods. For example, simultaneous seismic sources may be deployed in a survey region. The seismic sources are then fired, and the actual firing times are determined and recorded for use in optimizing the seismic survey. | 04-05-2012 |
20120147701 | SEISMIC ACQUISITION METHOD AND SYSTEM - The maximum output of a seismic source array may be reduced by activating the individual seismic sources within these seismic source array in a pattern that is extended in time rather than by the presently employed conventional simultaneous activation of a large number of individual seismic sources. Methods are disclosed which take data shot with patterned sources and may use a sparse inversion method to create data with the about same image quality as that of conventional sources. In this manner the output of the maximum impulse of a seismic source array may be reduced by an amplitude factor of about 10 in the examples shown here, corresponding to a reduction of about 20 dB while maintaining virtually the same seismic image quality. The disclosed methods may be used in combination with any simultaneous sourcing technique. In addition, the disclosed methods may be used with a plurality of source arrays. | 06-14-2012 |
20120218860 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING ACOUSTIC SOURCE ARRAY PERFORMANCE - A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey. | 08-30-2012 |
20130070559 | STEERABLE SOURCE ARRAY AND METHOD - Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes first and second external source sub-arrays, each sub-array including one or more individual source elements; a first actuator device connected to the first external source sub-array; and a second actuator device connected to the second external source sub-array. The first actuator device has a corresponding cable configured to connect to a first lead-in, and the second actuator device has a corresponding cable configured to connect to a second lead-in such that a position of the source array as a whole is controllable along a line substantially perpendicular to a path of the source array. | 03-21-2013 |
20130088938 | SUBSURFACE IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH MULTI-SOURCE SURVEY COMPONENT SEGREGATION AND REDETERMINATION - A disclosed subsurface imaging method begins by obtaining initial signals from a geophysical survey that has been acquired with multiple geophysical energy sources actuated in a plurality of firing sequences, each sequence having a known time delay between the firing times of each source. The initial signals are grouped into gathers of signals acquired from multiple firing sequences. For each gather, initial estimates of the first and second source wave fields are determined. Quieted signals for the first source are then generated to represent the initial signals minus a current estimate of the second source wave field. A coherent energy separation operation is applied to the quieted signals to obtain a refined estimate for the first source wave field. | 04-11-2013 |
20130100766 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DRIVING SIGNAL FOR VIBROSEIS MARINE SOURCES - Controller and method for determining a driving signal of a vibro-acoustic source element that is configured to generate acoustic waves in water. The method includes estimating at least one physical constraint of the vibro-acoustic source element; modeling a ghost function determined by a surface of the water; setting a target energy spectrum density to be emitted by the vibro-acoustic source element during the driving signal; and determining the driving signal in a controller based on at least one physical constraint, the ghost function, and the target energy spectrum density. | 04-25-2013 |
20130155810 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING SEISMIC SIGNALS FROM SEISMIC SOURCES - System and method for actuating first and second marine acoustic sources in a firing sequence, the firing sequence including at least a first actuation of the first source followed by a first actuation of the second source followed by a second actuation of the first source and a second actuation of the second source. The method includes towing the first source at a depth in water substantially equal to a depth of the second source; establishing a series of reference time instants; actuating the first source with a variable first time delay relative to the series of reference time instants; and actuating the second source with a variable second time delay relative to the series of reference time instants such that time intervals between consecutive activations of the first and second sources are also variable. | 06-20-2013 |
20130163375 | FACILITATING OPERATION OF A SEISMIC SOURCE - A technique facilitates use of a seismic source when deployed in-sea via a vessel. Shock levels acting on the vessel (or other body) due to firing of a seismic source and/or the separation distance of the seismic source from the vessel may be monitored during firing of the seismic source. The data is relayed to a control system which may be used to adjust operation of the seismic source when the shock levels acting on the vessel and/or the separation distance between the vessel and the seismic source cross a predetermined threshold. | 06-27-2013 |
20130223186 | DEFOCUSING BEAMFORMER METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A TOWED SONAR ARRAY - A method and towed sonic array system for defocusing the beampattern of the towed sonic array. The method includes determining an amplitude adjustment and a phase adjustment for each of the sonic projectors; and driving each of the sonic projectors with a drive signal modified by the amplitude adjustment and the phase adjustment for that sonic projector. The amplitude adjustment and phase adjustment for each of the sonic projectors are, at least in part, based upon the distance from that sonic projector to a virtual source. The location of the virtual source may be selected so as to achieve different beampatterns, including wide-sector beams and, in at least one case, a near-omni-directional beampattern. The drive signal may include multiple frequency components, in which case the method may be used to find a set of beamformer coefficients for each of the frequency components and an inverse transform may be used to realize a defocused driving signal. | 08-29-2013 |
20130258808 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING FAULTS IN A MARINE SOURCE ARRAY - A method for detecting faults of individual wave sources in a marine source array includes acquiring near-field data using sensors, the sensors being located near the individual wave sources. The method further includes generating an index for each of the individual wave sources based on (A) the near-field data and (B) information on the geometry of the marine source array that enables localizing the individual wave sources and respective sensors relative to one another. The method also includes comparing the index for each of the individual wave sources with a corresponding reference index for determining whether a fault has occurred. | 10-03-2013 |
20130286776 | METHOD FOR MANAGING A MULTI-VESSEL SEISMIC SYSTEM - A method for managing a multi-vessel seismic system including a first vessel, having a recording system and towing a streamer integrating seismic sensors, and a second vessel, including at least one seismic source performing shots. The second vessel sends to the first vessel a plurality of series of shot predictions. For each shot, the second vessels activates the seismic source according to the predictions and sends to the first vessel shot data relating to the shot. The first vessel activates the recording system. If the first vessel has not received the shot data relating to at least one performed shot, it sends a request to the second vessel and receives in response the missing shot data. For each performed shot and the related shot data, the system selects seismic data and combines the selected seismic data with the related shot data to obtain combined data allowing a seabed representation. | 10-31-2013 |
20140016435 | 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. | 01-16-2014 |
20140036625 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING ACOUSTIC SOURCE ARRAY PERFORMANCE - A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey. | 02-06-2014 |
20140043937 | ADAPTIVE SWEEP METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEISMIC EXPLORATION - Controller and method for adapting a frequency sweep for a vibro-acoustic source element that is configured to generate acoustic waves during a seismic survey. The method includes driving a seismic source element to generate a current frequency sweep; recording seismic data with plural seismic sensors in response to the current frequency sweep; selecting, during the seismic survey, a data subset of the seismic data, wherein the data subset has a size less than 10% of the seismic data; calculating with a processing device an attribute based on the data subset; and calculating a new frequency sweep based on the attribute. | 02-13-2014 |
20140104986 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DRIVING SIGNAL FOR VIBROSEIS MARINE SOURCES - Controller and method for determining a driving signal of a vibro-acoustic source element that is configured to generate acoustic waves in water. The method includes estimating at least one physical constraint of the vibro-acoustic source element; modeling a ghost function determined by a surface of the water; setting a target energy spectrum density to be emitted by the vibro-acoustic source element during the driving signal; and determining the driving signal in a controller based on at least one physical constraint, the ghost function, and the target energy spectrum density. | 04-17-2014 |
20140133272 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS DATA ACQUISITION - Method for generating an excitation signal for a first vibratory seismic source so that the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time. The method includes a step of determining a first target spectrum for the first vibratory seismic source; a step of setting a first group of constraints for the first vibratory seismic source; and a step of generating a first excitation signal for the first vibratory seismic source based on the first group of constraints and the first target spectrum. The first seismic traces recorded with plural receivers can be identified when the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time, based on the first excitation signal. | 05-15-2014 |
20150016219 | DEVICE FOR PRODUCING AN ACOUSTIC SIGNAL IN A LIQUID MEDIUM, EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC MEANS FOR CONTROLLING OUTPUT ACOUSTIC SIGNAL - A device is provided for producing an acoustic signal in a liquid medium. The device includes a pneumatic chamber to contain a compressed gas volume, at least one pneumatic exhaust port allowing the compressed gas volume to be released out of the pneumatic chamber, and a shuttle movable along a translational axis during an opening phase, between two positions: a closed position in which the compressed gas volume is enclosed within the pneumatic chamber, and an open position in which the compressed gas volume is released out of the pneumatic chamber through the pneumatic exhaust port, to produce the acoustic signal in the liquid medium. A hydraulic brake is used to brake the shuttle during the opening phase. The hydraulic brake includes a hydraulic chamber and having a hydraulic exhaust area of a hydraulic volume out of the hydraulic chamber, and includes a control for controlling the acoustic signal. | 01-15-2015 |
20150331131 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING SEISMIC SIGNALS FROM SEISMIC SOURCES - System and method for actuating first and second marine acoustic sources in a firing sequence, the firing sequence including at least a first actuation of the first source followed by a first actuation of the second source followed by a second actuation of the first source and a second actuation of the second source. The method includes towing the first source at a depth in water substantially equal to a depth of the second source; establishing a series of reference time instants; actuating the first source with a variable first time delay relative to the series of reference time instants; and actuating the second source with a variable second time delay relative to the series of reference time instants such that time intervals between consecutive activations of the first and second sources are also variable. | 11-19-2015 |
20160084978 | ADAPTABLE SEISMIC SOURCE FOR SEISMIC SURVEYS AND METHOD - Method, source array and seismic vibro-acoustic source element for seismic data acquisition. The method includes storing in a controller a library of beam form factor sets associated with a source array and corresponding regions to be surveyed; towing the source array along survey lines over the regions to be surveyed; selecting a beam form factor set from the library to be applied to the source array for each region; and actuating the source array based on the selected set of beam form factors and a position of the source array relative to the regions. Each set of beam form factors maps to a corresponding region of an area to be surveyed. | 03-24-2016 |