US3890593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-directional seismic exploration methods on navigable water
Assignee: Advance Oil and Gas Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A number of seismic detectors are located in a two-dimensional array on the surface of the earth, either on land or at sea. One or more seismic disturbances are produced in the vicinity of the seismic detectors at points located to produce sampling of various subsurface reflection points to form one or more twodimensional areas of coverage. For each seismic disturbance, the subsurface reflections thereof received by the various seismic detectors are recorded. In some embodiments, the seismic disturbances are produced at points located to produce multidirectional sampling of each of various subsurface reflection points and recordings for different ones of the seismic disturbances are combined to produce stacked recordings wherein multi-directional reflections from common subsurface points are added. On navigable water the multi-directional sampling is conducted by traversing a region to be surveyed with two vessels on generally parallel courses each towing a string of hydrophones, and alternately creating seismic disturbances in the water adjacent each vessel to thereby sample a plurality a reflecting points located along a line which tracks the planned survey line well notwithstanding deviations in the courses of the vessels and hydrophones caused by water currents and navigational errors.
Inventors
- 👤 Jlee Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/28; G01V1/36; G01V1/362; G01V1/38; G01V1/3808; G01V2210/00; G01V2210/30; G01V2210/32; G01V2210/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for conducting a seismic exploration in a region of interest covered by navigable water comprising: traversing said region of interest with two vessels on generally parallel courses on either side of and along a planned survey line, said vessels being aligned generally abreast and moving at substantially equal speeds, each vessel towing a string of hydrophones having hydrophones spaced uniformly therealong; alternately creating seismic disturbances in the water adjacent one vessel and the other at times selected with regard to the speed of the vessels and the spacing of said hydrophones to produce said disturbances at intervals spaced, in the direction of said traverse, at distances substantially equal to the spacing of said hydrophones, whereby to generate multiple signals from common reflecting points along a line deviating from the planned survey line less than the deviations of said vessels and of their strings of hydrophones from their planned courses caused by water currents and navigational errors; recording substantially all reflections received by said hydrophones; and stacking recordings of multiple signals received from at least one of said common points, the signals for each respective common point being a result of waves transmitted and received along paths in different vertical planes intersecting on a vertical line through said each respective common point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for conducting a seismic exploration in a region of interest covered by navigable water comprising: traversing said region of interest with two vessels on generally parallel courses on either side of and along a planned survey line, said vessels being aligned generally abreast and moving at substantially equal speeds, each vessel towing a string of hydrophones having hydrophones spaced uniformly therealong; alternately creating seismic disturbances in the water adjacent one vessel and the other at times selected with regard to the speed of the vessels and the spacing of said hydrophones to produce said disturbances at intervals spaced, in the direction of said traverse, at distances substantially equal to the spacing of said hydrophones, whereby to generate multiple signals from common reflecting points along a line deviating from the planned survey line less than the deviations of said vessels and of their strings of hydrophones from their planned courses caused by water currents and navigational errors; recording substantially all reflections received by said hydrophones; and stacking recordings of multiple signals received from at least one of said common points, the signals for each respective common point being a result of waves transmitted and received along paths in different vertical planes intersecting on a vertical line through said each respective common point.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for conducting a seismic exploration in a region of interest covered by navigable water comprising: traversing said region of interest with two vessels on generally parallel courses on either side of and along a planned survey line, said vessels being aligned generally abreast and moving at substantially equal speeds, each vessel towing a string of hydrophones having hydrophones spaced uniformly therealong; alternately creating seismic disturbances in the water adjacent one vessel and the other at times selected with regard to the speed of the vessels and the spacing of said hydrophones to produce said disturbances at intervals spaced, in the direction of said traverse, at distances selected with regard to the spacing of said hydrophones, whereby to generate multiple signals from common reflecting points along a line deviating from the planned survey line less than the deviations of said vessels and of their strings of hydrophones from their planned courses caused by water currents and navigational errors; recording substantially all reflections received by said hydrophones; and stacking recordings of multiple signals received from at least one of said common reflecting points, the signals for each respective common point being a result of waves trAnsmitted and received along paths in different vertical planes intersecting on a vertical line through said each respective common point.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for conducting a seismic exploration in a region of interest covered by navigable water comprising: traversing said region of interest with two vessels on generally parallel courses on either side of and along a planned survey line, said vessels being aligned generally abreast and moving at substantially equal speeds, each vessel towing a string of hydrophones having hydrophones spaced uniformly therealong; alternately creating seismic disturbances in the water adjacent one vessel and the other at times selected with regard to the speed of the vessels and the spacing of said hydrophones to produce said disturbances at intervals spaced, in the direction of said traverse, at distances selected with regard to the spacing of said hydrophones, whereby to generate multiple signals from common reflecting points along a line deviating from the planned survey line less than the deviations of said vessels and of their strings of hydrophones from their planned courses caused by water currents and navigational errors; recording substantially all reflections received by said hydrophones; and stacking recordings of multiple signals received from at least one of said common reflecting points, the signals for each respective common point being a result of waves trAnsmitted and received along paths in different vertical planes intersecting on a vertical line through said each respective common point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |