Westerngeco L.l.p.

Svein Arne Frivik

Kenneth E Welker

Halvor Sehested Groenaas

Kambiz Iranpour

Nicolas Goujon

Leendert Combee

Henk Keers

Johan O A Robertsson

Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad

Aslaug Stroemmen Melboe

Espen Gulbransen

Morten Svendsen

Luren Yang

Julian Edward Kragh

Rune Sindre Voldsbekk

Ottar Kristiansen

Vidar Husom

Erik Vigen

Halvor S Groenaas (Grønaas)

Ed Kragh

Suriyakan Vongtragool

Erk Vigen

A technique includes disposing a particle motion sensor on a spread of at least one streamer and using the particle motion sensor to acquire a measurement of a signal, which is transmitted from an acoustic transmitter. The technique includes determining a heading of the particle motion sensor based at least in part on the measurement.

Particle motion sensor-based streamer positioning system

A technique includes receiving data acquired by a seismic sensor on a spread of at least one streamer. The data are indicative of a seismic source signature that is produced by a source seismic to penetrate into the Earth to acquire geophysical information in connection with a seismic survey. The technique includes processing the data to determine a position on the streamer relative to a reference position not disposed on the streamer.

Determining a streamer position

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.

Acquiring near-zero offset survey data

Systems and methods for determining the position of a buoyancy element in a marine survey are described in which a passive reflecting material is disposed on the buoyancy element to enable a radar on the vessel to detect the position of the buoyancy element. The radar may emit a frequency modulated continuous wave or a sequence of frequency modulated or phase modulated sinusoidal waves.

Method for positioning the front end of a seismic spread

A technique includes obtaining a plurality of sets of measurements of distances between nodes located on a seismic spread element while the element is in tow. Each set is acquired in response to the operation of a different set of sources. The technique includes determining a three-dimensional structure of the seismic spread element while in tow based at least in part on the sets of measurements.

Determining the structure of a towed seismic spread element

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.

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 a survey spread comprising a plurality of receivers and an energy source that is towed along a selected course while a signal is emitted from an energy source. A plurality of receivers receive data comprising a detection sampling frequency and a survey sampling frequency. The survey sampling frequency is monitored to detect a cetacean vocalization and to position the cetacean at least while conducting the seismic survey. Pursuant to the location of the cetacean actions can be taken to protect the cetacean and to minimize disruptions in conducting the seismic survey.

Cetacean protection system

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.

Determining sea conditions in marine seismic spreads

A method for selecting a signal arrival for determining an accurate position of seismic equipment includes the steps of transmitting a signal from a pinger; predicting a direct arrival and a reflected arrival of the signal at a receiver, wherein each arrival is the time between the transmission of the signal to reception of the signal; measuring arrivals of the signal at the receiver; selecting the measured signal arrival that is similar to the predicted direct arrival as a preliminary signal arrival; defining a confidence interval for the actual direct arrival of the signal based on the predicted direct arrival and the predicted reflected arrival; and finalizing the signal arrival, wherein the selected preliminary signal arrival is the finalized signal arrival if it is within the confidence interval.

Methods of range selection for positioning marine seismic equipment

Acquiring near zero offset survey data

A method for communicating between marine vessels includes the steps of connecting a communication hub and a first marine vessel via a cable; transmitting an electronic signal via the cable between the communication hub and the first marine vessel; and transmitting the electronic signal wirelessly between the communication hub and a second marine vessel. The cable may be a seismic cable such as, and without limitation to, a streamer and an ocean bottom cable. The seismic cable may include one or more seismic sensors such as hydrophones and geophones.

Multi-vessel communication system

To performing positioning of survey equipment, measurements of acoustic signals reflected from at least one boundary of a marine environment are received. The reflected acoustic signals are reflected from the at least one boundary in response to acoustic signaling originated by an acoustic source. A positioning model is updated based on the measurements of the acoustic signals, wherein the positioning model contains information relating to positions of components of a positioning system that includes the acoustic source and acoustic receiver.

Determining positioning of survey equipment using a model

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 method comprising determining coordinates of a first point rigidly attached to a rigid body floating on the sea surface in a desired coordinate reference frame; measuring orientation parameters of the rigid floating body to determine 3D offset in the coordinate reference frame of the first point to any point on or rigidly attached to the body; applying a 3D coordinate shift from the first point to a second point rigidly attached to the body, thus determining coordinates of the second point in the desired reference frame; determining a distance from the second point to one or more devices that are components of a seismic acquisition spread, by comparing transmission times of a signal to recording times of transmitted signals and multiplying by a signal propagation rate; and determining relative positions of components of the spread to each other and to devices rigidly attached to the rigid body.

Methods and systems for determining coordinates of an underwater seismic component in a reference frame

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.

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Oslo, Norway

Svein Arne Frivik