Nicolae Moldoveanu

US Patent:

6754590, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Nov 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/979511

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX

Assignee:

WesternGeco, L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 100

US Classification:

702 14, 367 56

Abstract:

An improved method of acquiring seismic data using a plurality of vibratory seismic sources including the steps of deploying a seismic sensor deploying a plurality of vibratory seismic sources at different source points; simultaneously actuating the seismic sources; acquiring seismic data attributable to the seismic sources using the seismic sensor; redeploying at least two seismic sourc, one seismic source being thereby positioned at a source point previously occupied by the other seismic source; simultaneously actuating the redeployed seismic sources; and acquiring seismic data attributable to the redeployed seismic sources using said seismic sensor. The present invention also involves an improved method of acquiring seismic data using a plurality of vibratory seismic sources, where each seismic source is capable of producing seismic energy within given frequency ranges, including the steps of deploying a seismic sensor, deploying a plurality of vibratory seismic sources at different source points; simultaneously actuating the seismic sources in such a manner that the frequency range of the seismic energy produced by one seismic source is substantially outside the frequency range of the seismic energy produced by another seismic source; and acquiring seismic data attributable to the seismic sources using the seismic sensor.

US Patent:

6961284, Nov 1, 2005

Filed:

Mar 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/240563

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco, L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V001/38
G01V001/02

US Classification:

367154, 367 15, 367141, 367144, 367153, 181118, 181120

Abstract:

A staggered vertical marine seismic source contains upper and lower arrays () of emitters of seismic energy (S11, S12; S21, S22). The upper array () is horizontally displaced relative to the lower array (). The source is used in a marine seismic surveying arrangement that has means for moving the source and at least one seismic receiver. In use, the source is moved through the water in a direction parallel to the direction in which the two arrays are displaced. The arrays () are fired sequentially, and the time delay between the firing of the first-fired array and firing of the second-fired array is chosen such that each seismic emitter in one array is fired at the same x- and y-co-ordinates as the corresponding emitter in the other array. The seismic wavefields generated by firing the two arrays are thus generated at the same x- and y-co-ordinates, but at different depths. The seismic data recorded at the receiver(s) as a consequence of firing the first array can be used to de-ghost the seismic data acquired as a result of firing the second array or vice-versa, thereby eliminating or reducing the effect of source-side ghost reflections and reverberations.

US Patent:

7400552, Jul 15, 2008

Filed:

Jan 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/335365

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US
Alan Strudley - Barns Green, GB

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 16, 702 14

Abstract:

Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer marine seismic data are described. One method and system comprises positioning a plurality of source-only tow vessels and one or more source-streamer tow vessels to acquire a wide- and/or full-azimuth seismic survey without need for the spread to repeat a path once traversed. Another method and system allows surveying a sub-sea geologic feature using a marine seismic spread, the spread smartly negotiating at least one turn during the surveying, and shooting and recording during the turn. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing 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. 37 CFR 1. 72(b).

US Patent:

7599798, Oct 6, 2009

Filed:

Sep 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/853592

Inventors:

Craig J. Beasley - Houston TX, US
Phil Kitchenside - Orpington, GB
Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/28
G01V 1/00

US Classification:

702 17, 367 59

Abstract:

A subterranean structure is characterized using composite seismic response data received from a plurality of sources. Phase encoding is applied to the data in which phase shifts are selected based on frequency variation of noise terms. The phase-encoded data is then migrated and a representation of the subterranean structure is produced according to the migrating.

US Patent:

7948825, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/569255

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 15, 367144, 181118

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for acquiring seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes: moving a first air gun array in the water at a first depth and a second air gun array in the water at a second depth greater than the first depth, in which the total volume of the first air gun array is less than the total volume of the second air gun array, in which the first air gun array is separated from the second air gun array by a distance substantially equal to a shot point interval, firing seismic energy through the first and second air gun arrays through the water into the earth, and recording seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the water.

US Patent:

7961549, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/568531

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US
Philip A. F. Christie - Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, GB
Mark Egan - Sugarland TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 20, 367 15, 367130, 367144, 367153

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for acquiring seismic signals from beneath a salt region in the earth. In one embodiment, the method includes tuning an air gun array to a first bubble oscillation; towing the air gun array in the water at a depth of at least 10 meters, in which the air gun array has a total volume in a range of about 6780 cubic inches to about 10,170 cubic inches; directing acoustic signals with the air gun array down through the water into the earth beneath the salt region; towing one or more seismic streamers in the water at one or more depths, in which at least one of the depths is at least 10 meters, in which each streamer comprises a plurality of hydrophones disposed therealong; and recording with the hydrophones seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the salt region.

US Patent:

8488409, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

Jan 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/351156

Inventors:

David Ian Hill - Middlesex, GB
Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US
Steven Fealy - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 16, 367 15, 367 20

Abstract:

A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.

US Patent:

8559264, Oct 15, 2013

Filed:

Apr 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/083068

Inventors:

Nicolae Moldoveanu - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WesternGeco L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 15, 367153, 181118

Abstract:

A method for acquiring seismic data. The method may include towing one or more seismic streamers in the water, towing a first air gun array and a second air gun array in the water at a first depth, and towing a third air gun array and a fourth air gun array in the water at a second depth greater than the first depth. While towing the air gun arrays, the first and second air gun arrays and the third and fourth air gun arrays may be separated by a cross line distance that depends on a separation between the seismic streamers. The method may also include firing seismic energy, by the first, second, third and fourth air gun arrays, through the water into the earth. After firing the seismic energy, the method may record seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the water.