The University of Texas System

Other

Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Western Atlas International, Inc.

Vecta Technology, L.p.

Bob A Hardage

Allen L Gilmer

Robert J Graebner

James L Simmons, Jr

Alan D Kersey

Daniel L Gysling

John Laureto Maida, Jr

Jian-Qun Wu

Espen S Johansen

Francis X Bostick, Iii

Allen R Davis

Peter C Ogle

Xiaomin Zhao

A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.

Extracting SV shear data from P-wave marine data

A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth includes retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data. The P-P data and shear mode data were both received at a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth to generate the seismic data. The system and method further include processing the seismic data to extract the shear mode data and generating a shear mode image based on the extracted shear mode data.

Extracting SV shear data from P-wave seismic data

A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.

System and method for acquisition and processing of elastic wavefield seismic data

The invention is a method of geophysical exploration using seismic methods. The receivers and the source are rotated to one another, such that the orthogonal excitations of the seismic source are readily differentiated. The differentiation of the differently excited energies can be accomplished in devolving the seismic events and reception of those events into a radial-tangential coordinate system for each receiver source pair. The differentiation of the differently aligned energies allows a greater insight into the volumetric study of the strata making up the prospect volume.

Method of seismic exploration by discriminating horizontal and vertical shear waves

A method and system for monitoring the operation of downhole equipment, such as electrical submersible pumps, is disclosed. The method and system rely on the use of coiled fiber optic sensors, such as hydrophones, accelerometers, and/or flow meters. These sensors are either coupled to or placed in proximity to the equipment being monitored. As the sensor is perturbed by acoustic pressure disturbances emitted from the equipment, the length of the sensing coil changes, enabling the creation of a pressure versus time signal. This signal is converted into a frequency spectrum indicative of the acoustics emissions of the equipment, which can then be manually or automatedly monitored to see if the equipment is functioning normally or abnormally, and which allows the operator to take necessary corrective actions.

System and method for monitoring performance of downhole equipment using fiber optic based sensors

The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining an azimuth of a seismic energy source. In one embodiment, the system includes a directional assembly having a mount configured to be coupled to a seismic energy source, a rotatable mass assembly coupled to the mount, a compass rose coupled to one of the mount or the rotatable mass assembly and a direction reference coupled to the other of the mount or the rotatable mass assembly. The compass rose is registered with the direction reference to provide a direction orientation of the rotatable mass assembly with respect to the mount.

System and method for determining an azimuth of a seismic energy source

The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining anisotropy in a stratum using scattered horizontal shear and vertical shear modes. The method includes transforming seismic energy wave generated by a seismic energy source and received by seismic receivers into radial/transverse coordinate space, determining a seismic energy wave corridor along a radial path between the seismic energy source and the seismic receivers, and gathering seismic data received by the seismic receivers within the corridor wherein the data includes horizontal and vertical shear components.

Determining anisotropy in a stratum using scattered vertical and horizontal shear modes

The present invention provides a new and unique method, sensor, and apparatus for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole. The method includes arranging at least one strain seismic sensor in conjunction with a borehole structure, and mechanically coupling the borehole structure to the borehole to allow seismic data to be accurately transferred to the sensor. The sensor is preferably a fiber optic sensor, including a Fiber Bragg Grating which may be coupled to a relevant borehole structure in a number of ways.

Method and apparatus for seismically surveying an earth formation in relation to a borehole

A system for, and method of, orienting seismic energy sources and seismic energy receivers to substantially separate a compressional wave from a vertical shear wave. The method includes reflecting a seismic energy from a subsurface interface to produce a reflected seismic energy wave that has a compressional energy and vertical shear energy associated therewith. A first seismic energy receiver is oriented such that it is aligned with an angle of emergence of the reflected seismic energy wave to thereby maximize the vertical shear energy received by a second seismic energy receiver.

System and method for orienting seismic energy receivers to yield discriminated vertical shear waves

The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining vertical fractures in a stratum using scattered horizontal shear and vertical shear modes. The method may include segregating first order horizontal and vertical shear modes of a seismic energy wave into second order horizontal and vertical shear modes, defining a seismic energy wave corridor along a radial path between a seismic energy source and seismic receivers, and gathering seismic data received by the seismic receivers within the corridor, the data including the second order horizontal and vertical shear modes.

Determining vertical fractures in a stratum using scattered vertical and horizontal shear modes

A system for, and method of, orienting seismic energy sources and seismic energy receivers to yield discriminated horizontal and vertical shear modes. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an initial matrix representing wave energy produced by a selected seismic energy source and received by a selected seismic energy receiver, (2) a first transforming matrix that cooperates with the initial matrix to orient the selected seismic energy source with respect to the selected seismic energy receiver and (3) a second transforming matrix that cooperates with the initial matrix to orient the selected seismic energy receiver with respect to the selected seismic energy source, the initial matrix thereby transformed into a successive matrix containing the discriminated horizontal and vertical shear modes.

System and method for orienting seismic energy sources and receivers to yield discriminated horizontal and vertical shear waves

Methods and apparatus for creating as shear ('S') wave for use in oil and gas exploration, where such S-wave is created by detonating an explosive packaging in a shot hole in a manner that produces directionally controlled S-wave force vectors at each source station across a 3-D survey grid.

Apparatus and method for illuminating 3-D geologic targets with P and S

A method for detecting the presences of fractures in a subsurface formation being penetrated by a drill bit during drilling. Teeth on the drill bit act as individual seismic sources, generating both shear wave energy and compressional wave energy. As the drill bit passes through a formation, the shear wave energy generated by the bit propagates along the formation in a waveguide mode between the adjacent formations. As the shear wave signal passes through a fractured zone of the formation, two shear wave signals are generated, each polarized in relationship to the orientation of the fractures in the formation. As the polarized signals propagate along the formation, secondary shear wave signals are generated which return to the surface and are detected by appropriate sensors. The sensors have a plurality of detectors in order to detect the polarity or direction of particle motion cuased by the polarized wave, providing information that a fracture zone exists in the subsurface.

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Burnet, TX, United States of America

Bob A Hardage