Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Other

Marvin L Johnson

Michael W Norris

Warren S Ross

Christine E Krohn

Steven E Heiney

Mamadou S Diallo

The described invention relates to a method for acquiring seismic data in icy waters comprising positioning a fixed structure or movable vessel () at or near an established water opening; deploying into the water opening, from said structure or vessel one or more ROV or AUV units (), said ROV or AUV units remaining connected to said structure or vessel; operating the one or more ROV or AUV units to deploy seismic sensors recording equipment () and/or one or more seismic source equipment () on or near the water bottom; generating and applying control signals to one or more of the more ROV or AUV units to generate and to record seismic signals (); operating the one or more ROV or AUV units on the water bottom to move () and/or recover () the seismic source equipment and/or seismic sensors recording.

Underseas seismic acquisition

The described invention relates to seismic acquisition means for use in shallow water marine environments, comprising: (a) a vessel () having at least one hull (); (b) one or more shaker () and baseplate () assemblies affixed to the vessel by two or more rigid supporting elements () adapted to be capable of lowering said assemblies from the vessel hull to a shallow water bottom () and of raising said assemblies from the shallow water bottom to the hull; and, wherein each of said assemblies comprise one or more vibrator units mounted on a baseplate that is adapted to rest upon the shallow water bottom and to transmit vibratory signals from the vibrator units into said water bottom. The described invention provides a high-amplitude, broadband seismic signal, provides high data-production rates, couples energy directly into the earth and minimizes damage to the water bottom.

Bottom referenced vibratory sources for shallow water acquisition

An exemplary method for filtering multi-component seismic data is provided. One or more characteristics of the seismic data corresponding to a relative manifestation of surface wave noise on the different components, such as polarization attributes, are identified. A time-frequency boundary in the seismic data is also identified in the time-frequency transform domain, the time-frequency boundary delineating portions of the seismic data estimated to contain surface wave noise (). Finally, filtered seismic data are created () by removing portions of the seismic data that correspond to the identified characteristics of surface waves and that are within the time-frequency boundary ().

Method for performing constrained polarization filtering

Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as modifying the characteristics of a seismic source used in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes () to create a curtain of diverse-sized bubbles ().

Diverse bubble size generation

Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as suppressing surface-related multiple reflections in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes.

Method for conducting a seismic survey () wherein the acquisition parameters are modified as the survey progresses using information () from sensors located to monitor structures and fixtures located in the survey area. The sensor output is compared to acceptable levels, and acquisition parameters such as the seismic source strength are adjusted () to prevent exceeding the acceptable levels. An automated arbitration scheme () is used to resolve conflicting system goals within survey resource constraints.

Data adaptive vibratory source acquisition method

A method for simultaneously operating multiple seismic vibrators using continuous sweeps (little or no 'listening' time between sweeps) for each vibrator, and recovering the separated seismic responses for each vibrator with the earth signature removed. Each vibrator is given a unique, continuous pilot signal. The earth response to the motion of each vibrator is measured or estimated. The vibrator motion records for each vibrator and the combined seismic data record for all the vibrators are parsed into separate shorter records. The shorter records are then used to form a system of simultaneous linear equations in the Fourier transform domain, following the HFVS method of Sallas and Allen. The equations are then solved for the separated earth responses.

Method for continuous sweeping and separation of multiple seismic vibrators

A bobsled having a load supporting forward steerable member hingably connected to a load supporting trailing member is disclosed wherein the trailing member is spaced behind the forward member. The hinge connected members are adapted to turn and tilt relative to one another for changing the direction of movement of the sled and for folding the members upon one another for ease of handling, transportion and storage. Hand grips located on a front end portion of the forward member permit a rider lying prone on the sled to turn or tilt the same while in motion to alter the direction of motion of the sled or brake the forward momentum thereof. The members each contain a pair of runners having lower surfaces tapered away from a weight-bearing surface of the members as the runners extend from the front to the back of each member. Elongated, flat, rectangular reinforcing strips formed of durable material such as metal are attached to rear portions of the lengths of the sled runners.

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The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Marvin L Johnson