Jeffrey W Cunkelman

US Patent:

20100226204, Sep 9, 2010

Filed:

Mar 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/719783

Inventors:

Joseph R. Gagliardi - Katy TX, US
Shawn Rice - Spring TX, US
Curt Schneider - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey W. Cunkelman - Sugar Land TX, US
Tim Dudley - Houston TX, US
Dale Lambert - Mandeville LA, US
Mike Burnham - Richmond TX, US

Assignee:

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 16, 367 21

Abstract:

A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes. The streamers can have vehicles deployed thereon for controlling a position on the streamer. To facilitate locating the streamers, these vehicles on the streamers can be brought to the surface when clear of ice floes so that GPS readings can be obtained and communicated to a control system. After obtaining readings, the vehicles can be floated back under the surface. Deploying, using, and retrieving the system accounts for ice at the surface in icy regions. In addition, handling the seismic record can account for noise generated by ice impact events.

US Patent:

20190389540, Dec 26, 2019

Filed:

Mar 21, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/360656

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Shawn Rice - Spring TX, US
Curt Schneider - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey W. Cunkelman - Sugar Land TX, US
Timothy A. Dudley - Houston TX, US
Dale Lambert - Mandeville LA, US
Mike Burnham - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B63B 3/38
G01V 1/38
B63B 3/14
B63B 21/66
B63B 35/08

Abstract:

A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes. The streamers can have vehicles deployed thereon for controlling a position on the streamer. To facilitate locating the streamers, these vehicles on the streamers can be brought to the surface when clear of ice floes so that GPS readings can be obtained and communicated to a control system. After obtaining readings, the vehicles can be floated back under the surface. Deploying, using, and retrieving the system accounts for ice at the surface in icy regions. In addition, handling the seismic record can account for noise generated by ice impact events.

US Patent:

20140269174, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/216935

Inventors:

Joseph R. Gagliardi - Katy TX, US
Shawn Rice - Spring TX, US
Curt Schneider - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey W. Cunkelman - Sugar Land TX, US
Tim Dudley - Houston TX, US
Dale Lambert - Mandeville LA, US
Mike Burnham - Houston TX, US
Ray Pierce - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 15

Abstract:

A marine seismic survey is performed in icy waters by initially planning a survey track traversing a survey area. The initial track is planned based on initial ice conditions in the survey area having the icy waters. After preparing the system, a seismic system is deployed into the water from a survey vessel at the survey area. This is typically done in an area relatively free of ice. At least one escort vessel escorts the survey vessel as it traverses the survey track and obtains seismic data. The survey vessel tows the seismic system under the surface of the icy water to avoid the ice. All the while, systems and operators monitor the survey area along the survey track for actual ice conditions. In this way, the escort vessel can handling the actual ice conditions along the survey track so the survey vessel does not need to halt.

US Patent:

20140102347, Apr 17, 2014

Filed:

Oct 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/054116

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Shawn Rice - Spring TX, US
Curt Schneider - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey W. Cunkelman - Sugar Land TX, US
Timothy A. Dudley - Houston TX, US
Dale Lambert - Mandeville LA, US
Mike Burnham - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION - Houston TX

International Classification:

B63B 21/66

US Classification:

114245, 114244

Abstract:

A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes. The streamers can have vehicles deployed thereon for controlling a position on the streamer. To facilitate locating the streamers, these vehicles on the streamers can be brought to the surface when clear of ice floes so that GPS readings can be obtained and communicated to a control system. After obtaining readings, the vehicles can be floated back under the surface. Deploying, using, and retrieving the system accounts for ice at the surface in icy regions. In addition, handling the seismic record can account for noise generated by ice impact events.

US Patent:

20140104985, Apr 17, 2014

Filed:

Oct 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/054098

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Shawn Rice - Spring TX, US
Curt Schneider - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey W. Cunkelman - Sugar Land TX, US
Timothy A. Dudley - Houston TX, US
Dale Lambert - Mandeville LA, US
Mike Burnham - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38
B63B 21/66

US Classification:

367 21, 114244, 114245

Abstract:

A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes. The streamers can have vehicles deployed thereon for controlling a position on the streamer. To facilitate locating the streamers, these vehicles on the streamers can be brought to the surface when clear of ice floes so that GPS readings can be obtained and communicated to a control system. After obtaining readings, the vehicles can be floated back under the surface. Deploying, using, and retrieving the system accounts for ice at the surface in icy regions. In addition, handling the seismic record can account for noise generated by ice impact events.