US 12,111,438 B2Granted

Repeating a previous marine seismic survey with a subsequent survey that employs a different number of sources

AssigneePGS Geophysical AS

InventorsMagnus Wangensteen, Christian Strand, Bertrand Caselitz, Edwin Hodges, Didier Lecerf

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for performing a 4D monitor marine seismic survey that repeats a previous survey. A number of sources may be used during the 4D monitor survey that differs from a number of sources that were used during the previous survey. Shot points from the previous survey are repeated by the 4D monitor survey, and additional shot points may be produced during the 4D monitor survey that were not produced during the previous survey. Embodiments enable efficiency and data quality improvements to be captured during 4D survey processes, while preserving repeatability.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of performing a marine seismic 4D monitor survey that repeats a previous survey, comprising:

towing a number of sources during the marine seismic 4D monitor survey that is greater than a number of sources that were used to perform the previous survey, such that the marine seismic 4D monitor survey employs additional sources relative to the number of sources that were used to perform the previous survey;
and
activating the additional sources during the marine seismic 4D monitor survey to produce additional shot points relative to shot points that were produced during the previous survey;
wherein crossline outermost sources that were used to perform the previous survey define a previous survey crossline source spread;
and
wherein some of the additional shot points are produced at crossline positions outside the previous survey crossline source spread and others of the additional shot points are produced at crossline positions inside the previous survey crossline source spread.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/130,751Filed 4 Apr 2023 · division
Priority: 23 Sep 2020
Published: US 2023/0236332 A127 Jul 2023
Granted: 8 Oct 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01V 1/308
Analysis: time lapse or 4D effects, e.g. production related effects to the formation
G01V 1/3808
Specially adapted for water-covered areas: seismic data acquisition, e.g. survey design
G01V 1/38
Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting: specially adapted for water-covered areas
G01V 2210/1212
Active source: shot

Family

Application63/082,419Us provisional application · filed 23 Sep 2020
Application17/189,128Parent of this division · filed 1 Mar 2021
US 2023/0236332 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Jul 2023
US 11,662,491 B2Parent of this division
US 2022/0091293 A1Published application
US 12,111,438 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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