Westerngeco L.l.p.

Ottar Kristiansen

Kenneth E Welker

Philippe Hocquet

Johan O A Robertsson

Morten Svendsen

Emmanuel Keskes

Julian Edward Kragh

Rune Sindre Voldsbekk

Svein Arne Frivik

Rohitashva Singh

Julian Edward (Ed) Kragh

Philippe Saint-Pere

Ulrich Hemmerle

Roshitashva Singh

Philipe Saint-Pere

A technique includes obtaining data indicative of images of a marine seismic source event, which are acquired by underwater cameras and processing the data to determine an attribute (a seismic bubble volume or motion, as non-limiting examples) that is associated with the seismic source event.

Using cameras in connection with a marine seismic survey

One embodiment of the invention concerns a probe that couples to a seismic vessel via a tow cable. When deploying probes from a seismic vessel that is towing source arrays and streamers, the probe and its tow cable can tangle with elements of the towed seismic spread. However, a cable guide may be used to lessen the risk for such entanglement by guiding the tow cable into the water at a distance removed from the seismic spread. Also, the probe may be steerable to steer the probe and tow cable away from the seismic spread. Other embodiments are described herein.

Collision avoidance for instrumented probes deployed from a seismic vessel

A technique facilitates the use of seismic data. The technique utilizes an autonomous underwater vehicle to obtain data on water column characteristics in a seismic survey area. The data can be used to adjust aspects of the seismic survey data and/or the seismic survey technique.

System and method of using autonomous underwater vehicle to facilitate seismic data acquisition

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.

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.

Systems and methods for marine seismic cable deployment and retrieval are described. One system comprises a plurality of portable containers, each container temporarily storing a marine seismic component, at least some of the containers able to be removably fastened to a deck of a vessel of opportunity, and at least one of the portable containers storing a main cable winch on which is wound a marine seismic cable. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Containerized geophysical equipment handling and storage systems, and methods of use

A deflector device () for use with a tow lie between a towing vessel () and a tow () in water behind the vessel, the device comprising a principal wing-shaped body () shaped to produce in use a sideways force which urges the tow line () laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the towing vessel, a boom () extending rearwardly from the principal wing-shaped body (), and an auxiliary wing-shaped body (), smaller than the principal wing-shaped body (), secured to the end of the boom () remote from the principal wing-shaped body () and shaped so as to produce in use a sideways force in generally the opposite direction to that produced by the principal wing-shaped body ().

Deflector devices

A deflector for offsetting a streamer being towed by its lead-in by a seismic survey vessel comprises a wing-shaped body which is coupled to the lead-in and shaped to produce a sideways force which urges the lead-in laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the vessel. A boom extends rearwardly from the wing-shaped body, and forms part of an arrangement by which the angle of the wing-shaped body in the water, and therefore the sideways force produced by it, can be varied. The upper end of the wing-shaped body is directly connected to the underside of an elongate float.

A deflector device for use with a tow line between a seismic survey vessel and a tow, in particular a streamer or streamer array, in the water behind the vessel comprises a vertically oriented wing-shaped body for producing a sideways force as it is towed through the water, and a towing bridle adapted to connect the wing-shaped body to the tow line. The bridle comprises first and second connecting elements connected between the tow line and respective longitudinally-spaced points along the high pressure side of the wing-shaped body. The wing-shaped body includes one or more buoyancy elements to render it slightly positively buoyant, and the length of at least one of the connecting elements is adjustable by remote contol in order to tilt the wing-shaped body. This gives the sideways force a vertical component, and so allows remote control of the depth of the deflector device, as well as its lateral offset from the vessel.

Growing community of inventors

Oslo, Norway

Ottar Kristiansen